Incheon City Conducts Safety Inspection of Valentine's Day Chocolate Products... Concurrent Heavy Metal Testing

One Product Exceeding Bacterial Count Standard Blocked from Distribution

Incheon City announced on the 14th that it conducted a safety investigation on 30 cocoa processed products and chocolates, whose consumption surges around Valentine's Day (February 14), and blocked the distribution of one non-compliant product that exceeded the bacterial count standard.

This collection and inspection were carried out as part of the "Food Safety Net Project," promoted in collaboration with the Health and Environment Research Institute to block harmful foods. The product judged as non-compliant was reported to the relevant local government and the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and was immediately recalled to prevent distribution and sale.

In addition, the city checked the heavy metal content along with the standard and specification inspection of chocolate products during this investigation. In particular, cadmium and lead are heavy metals that easily accumulate in the human body, yet there are no domestic standards and specifications for cocoa processed products and chocolates, making systematic management necessary.

Heavy Metal Inspection of Chocolate Products. Provided by Incheon City

As a result of the inspection, cadmium was detected in 28 cases with an average of 0.043 mg/kg (range: 0.002 to 0.261 mg/kg), and lead was detected in 9 cases with an average of 0.030 mg/kg (range: 0.001 to 0.130 mg/kg). These levels are lower compared to the European Union's cadmium standard for dark chocolate (0.8 mg/kg or less) and the domestic lead standard for cocoa powder (2.0 mg/kg or less).

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced an administrative notice in December last year to establish standards for cadmium, and Incheon City plans to continue conducting heavy metal inspections to ensure the safety of chocolate products, which are favored foods across all age groups.

An official from Incheon City stated, "We will continuously monitor to ensure the safety of widely consumed foods and do our best to strengthen food inspections considering citizens' consumption patterns."