First off, please know that your safety (and ours) is always a top priority for us. We’ve tested all our cacao batches, and I’m happy to tell you that our levels of lead and cadmium are far below what California’s Prop 65 requires.
Lead often sneaks into cacao when it’s processed or harvested carelessly—something that unfortunately happens a lot in West Africa, where cacao is sometimes dried on the ground, and where traceability is almost non existent. But that’s not how we do things, especially cause we pride ourselves on our short supply chain. We work with farmers who respect the sacred nature of cacao. They harvest their beans in clean containers, and we ferment in our elevated sweat boxes, then dry the beans on elevated tables, keeping them free from contamination. We follow and train all our farmers on GAP (Good Agricultural Practices).
There’s something magical about cacao beyond its taste. It’s known as a heart-opener, a spiritual medicine that has been used in ceremonies for thousands of years. But did you know it also helps your body on a physical level? Cacao contains minerals like Zinc, Magnesium, and Selenium, which act as natural chelating agents. These minerals can bind to heavy metals in the body and help flush them out, supporting your body’s natural detox processes.
At Cacao Adventures, we’re deeply committed to bringing you cacao that honors both the earth and your health. We see cacao as more than just a food—it’s a connection to something greater. And we want you to feel that connection too, with full confidence that what you’re consuming is pure, safe, and filled with good energy.
Results for heavy metals for our current lot harvested on 2023:
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\Our cacao contains 0.14 ppm of cadmium, significantly lower than the 0.96 ppm concentration threshold mentioned in Prop 65. Additionally, our cacao has 0.003 ppm of lead, well below the 0.225 ppm Prop 65 lead concentration threshold.
As you can see, our results are far below not only the Prop 65 limits but also those of other brands. We ensure that our cacao is sourced from the original locations, meaning it's as close to virgin jungle as possible. These results validate our commitment to quality.
Stay up to date with our published results here.
Author
Jose Visconti - Founder and COO of Cacao Adventures
Background & Expertise
Jose has worked with Chocolate and Cacao since 2014 in various capacities; as an Agricultural Liaison for Bean-to-Bar chocolate companies, as a consultant to the International Trade Center, as a sourcer of Specialty Beans where he worked with Internationally renowned chefs, as the Chief of R&D and operations manager for specialty chocolate manufacturers. Jose has travelled throughout many parts of Peru to search for specialty cacao and holds unique knowledge in harvest and post-harvest processes that unlock the full potential of unique and special cacao beans.
Personal Connection to the Topic
Jose is not only a chocolate lover, but a nature and travel enthusiast as well. When he learned the full story of cacao, and how the original wild strains of cacao were in danger of extinction, he took it upon himself to find the right people on both sides of the supply chain to bring this issue to light through communication and product development; not just using words, but creating irresistible chocolate and cacao products to highlight the importance of preservation.
Mention why this work matters to them—especially if there's a cultural or emotional tie.