Hinihiling ng isang toxics watchdog sa Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at sa iba pang ahensiya ng gobyerno na suriin ang mga chocolate na ibinebenta sa bansa matapos iulat ng isang US-based watchdog na 35 chocolate product sa bansa ang may lead at cadmium.
Ayon sa EcoWaste Coalition, dapat na suriin ang mga imported chocolate matapos iulat ng consumer health watchdog na As You Sow nitong Marso 23 na taglay ng mga tsokolate ang dalawang nabanggit na kemikal, kabilang na ang mga Easter chocolate bunny at eggs.
Nakabase sa California, inihayag ng As You Sow na sinuri nito ang 50 chocolate at 35 sa mga ito ang may lead at cadmium na ang antas ay mas mataas sa pinahihintulutan ng Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act ng California.
Anang grupo, “cadmium and lead may contaminate the chocolate product at many points through the bean to bar process; these sources may depend on the cacao growing, fermenting, processing, manufacturing, shipping, and packaging practices.”
Archdiocese of Manila, hindi mag-eendorso ng kandidato sa eleksyon
Walang warning label ang alinman sa mga produkto ng 18 manufacturer na pinadalhan ng notice ng As You Sow, kabilang ang Trader Joe’s, Hershey’s, Green & Black’s, Lindt, Whole Foods, Kroger, Godiva, See’s Candies, Mars, Theo Chocolate, Equal Exchange, Ghirardelli at Earth Circle Organic.
“Lead exposure is associated with neurological impairment, such as learning disabilities and decreased IQ, even at very low levels. In fact, there is no safe level of lead for children,” sabi ni Eleanne van Vliet, environmental health consultant ng As You Sow. - Jonathan M. Hicap
