Heavy Metals in Cacao: What You Should Know

At Cacao Adventures, ceremonial cacao is part of your daily ritual — and it must meet the highest standards of purity and safety. We drink it every day, our toddler drinks it very often, so safety will always be a priority.

Because cacao is grown in soil, transparency matters.

Every production lot of our ceremonial cacao is tested by an independent third-party laboratory for:

• Lead (Pb)

• Cadmium (Cd)

• Salmonella

We test lot by lot, every lot — not occasionally — so our results reflect current production.

Why Heavy Metals Testing Matters in Cacao

Cacao naturally absorbs minerals from the soil. In some regions, this can include trace amounts of cadmium. Lead exposure can occur during post-harvest handling if proper practices are not followed. 

That’s why we focus on:

• Direct trade sourcing in Peru

• Clean fermentation and drying practices

• Controlled handling from harvest to packaging

• Third-party testing for every batch

We evaluate results against conservative benchmarks, including FDA guidance and California Proposition 65 standards.

When a report shows “Not Detected,” it means levels are below the laboratory’s measurable detection limit.

Salmonella Testing

Every lot is also tested for Salmonella to ensure microbial safety.

Ceremonial cacao should support your well-being — never compromise it.

View Our Current Lab Results

This page serves as an overview of our safety and testing approach.

To see the most recent heavy metals and Salmonella testing results for our ceremonial cacao, use the button below:

[View Current Lab Results]

Every time new lab reports are issued, this link will direct you to the updated data for full transparency.

Beyond Safety: Quality & Direct Trade Commitment

Our mission goes beyond testing.

When you purchase from Cacao Adventures, you are not only choosing ceremonial cacao that is third-party tested for lead, cadmium, and Salmonella — you are choosing cacao sourced at the highest quality standards.

We work directly with our farming partners in Peru and pay a premium above New York commodity reference prices. There are no middlemen.

This allows us to:

• Preserve native cacao genetics

• Support indigenous and small farming families directly

• Maintain strict post-harvest standards

• Prioritize quality over volume

Your ritual supports real families, real land, and real preservation.

Experience the Difference

Choose ceremonial cacao that is tested, traceable, and directly sourced.

Shop Our Ceremonial Cacao →