WTO and EU fund initiative to address cadmium contamination in cocoa beans

21 Mar 2022 --- The International Cocoa Organization is spearheading a project to better understand cadmium levels in cocoa in Latin America and the Caribbean. This was made possible through financial contribution from the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the EU. 

Cadmium, a naturally occurring chemical element, can have adverse health effects when consumed in contaminated foodstuffs. It is naturally found in trace amounts in a lot of soil, which are taken up mostly by root in vegetables and fruits.

The element is present across various food items, but is not considered dangerous for human health when consumed below certain limits.

The initiative will be implemented in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Trinidad and Tobago for a total cost of US$551,000, with a grant of US$382,000 from the WTO’s Standard and Trade Development Facility (STDF) and €60,000 (US$66,350) in co-financing from the EU. 

Participating countries will provide the remainder of the financing requirements as their counterpart contribution.

“This milestone project brings together national and international institutions, academic bodies, cocoa producers and other key stakeholders to provide substantive contributions in knowledge and expertise, innovative methodologies and effective communication platforms to share and reinforce best practices to mitigate cadmium contamination in cocoa beans for the ultimate benefit of all stakeholders,” says Michel Arrion, executive director of the International Cocoa Organization

Cadmium, a naturally occurring chemical element, can have adverse health effects when consumed in contaminated foodstuffs.Government-led action on cadmium
The European Commission Regulation No. 488/2014, which came into force in January 2019, sets “Maximum Residue Levels” (MRLs) for cadmium in foodstuffs, including specific cocoa and chocolate products.

Last August, the EU lowered its limits for heavy metals cadmium and lead in baby food and produce.

The project will last for two years and aims to create a network to share information and establish continuous dialogue among research institutes to build consensus on standardized testing protocols and best practices for cadmium mitigation and remediation.

The project’s coordinators will help educate cocoa producers on standardized protocols regarding cadmium mitigation and remediation.

In addition, it aims to raise the knowledge and understanding of possible sources of cadmium presence in cocoa growing areas. This will be done through analysis and the mapping of cadmium hotspots.

Global push for food safety
Concerns for global food safety have not abated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year in the US, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) unveiled an action plan “Close to Zero” to reduce heavy metals and other toxins in baby food.

Because fruits, vegetables and grains can “take up” toxic elements in the environment from the water, soil, and air, there are limits to how low the levels can be reduced, flags the FDA.

Exposure to toxic elements depends on the levels of the elements found in foods as well as the amount of the food consumed.

Compared to a single consumer, food manufacturers have more capability to implement strategies that lead to using ingredients with lower concentrations of toxic elements.

In February of last year, the US baby food industry hit back at a report from The Committee on Oversight and Reform that said infant foods are tainted with dangerous levels of toxic heavy metals. 

The FDA revealed that the amount of infant rice cereals in that do not surpass its recommendation for inorganic arsenic levels rose to 76% in 2018, up from just 26% earlier in the decade.

Meanwhile, separate research found that half of UK rice contains more arsenic than the European Commission regulations for rice meant for the consumption for infants or young children.

By Benjamin Ferrer