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Strengthening the foundations for a specialty cocoa sector in the Caribbean

Cadmium in cocoa: Factsheet 1

Year of publication 2025

Place of publication Bridgetown, Barbados ;

Pages 4 p.

Author FAO;

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Brochure, flyer, fact-sheet

Synopsis (short abstract) Cocoa is a bioaccumulator of cadmium, which means it can take up cadmium from soils and accumulate it over time in its organs. As a perennial tree crop, cocoa remains in the soil for long periods of time and can over time accumulate considerable amounts of cadmium, which are not detected with the naked eye. Due to the emerging concerns of the ill effects of cadmium on human health, the European Union instituted regulations that set maximum allowable limits for cadmium in chocolates and cocoa powders to be placed in the market. This technical factsheet provides critical information for the sustainable management of cadmium for cocoa production.

Language English

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