Back to the Cocoa Powder Guide
To read a cocoa powder lab report, check five things in order: who tested it and whether the lab is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited, what sample was tested and when, which metals or compounds were measured, the result and its unit for each, and the detection limit behind any “not detected”. Then turn the per-kilogram results into per-serving numbers to compare with reference levels.
Brands increasingly publish test results for heavy metals such as cadmium and lead. The documents look technical, but they follow the same pattern every time, and this guide walks through it. If you are looking for a cocoa powder without heavy metals, start with whether heavy metal free cocoa powder exists. The lab side is covered in how cocoa powder is tested for heavy metals.
What are the parts of a lab report?
| Section | What it tells you | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Laboratory name and accreditation | Who ran the test | An ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, often with the accreditation body’s mark |
| Report number | A unique reference | That the same number appears on every page |
| Client | Who ordered the test | Usually the producer or the brand |
| Sample description | What was tested | Cocoa powder, beans or a finished drink mix, and how it was packed |
| Dates | When the sample arrived and was tested | How recent the result is |
| Test, result, unit, method, detection limit | The measurements themselves | Read each row across, as below |
How do you read the units?
| Unit on the report | Means | Same as |
|---|---|---|
| mg/kg | milligrams per kilogram | parts per million (ppm) |
| µg/kg | micrograms per kilogram | parts per billion (ppb) |
| µg/g | micrograms per gram | equal to mg/kg |
Heavy metals in cocoa are usually reported in mg/kg; aflatoxins, a different kind of contaminant, in µg/kg. Check the unit before comparing any two numbers, because a factor of 1,000 hides in the difference.
What does “not detected” mean?
The limit of detection (LOD) is the smallest amount the method can tell apart from zero; the limit of quantification (LOQ) is the smallest amount it can measure with reliable precision, usually a few times higher. “Not detected” or “< LOQ” means the metal was below that limit, so the number printed beside it is the part worth reading: “not detected” at 0.015 mg/kg is a far stronger result than “not detected” at 0.5 mg/kg.
How do you turn a result into a per-serving number?
Multiply the concentration by the serving weight in kilograms. A 6 g tablespoon is 0.006 kg, so a result in mg/kg multiplied by 0.006 gives milligrams per tablespoon; multiply by 1,000 to read it in micrograms.
Daily reference levels are written per day rather than per kilogram, so a per-serving figure is the one to set beside them.
Which reference levels apply to cocoa?
| Reference | Metal | Level |
|---|---|---|
| EU Regulation 2023/915, cocoa powder sold to the final consumer | Cadmium | 0.60 mg/kg |
| California Proposition 65 MADL | Cadmium | 4.1 µg/day |
| California Proposition 65 MADL | Lead | 0.5 µg/day |
The EU figure is a limit per kilogram of product; the Proposition 65 figures are daily amounts, so compare them with your per-serving numbers rather than the concentration itself.
What does a real report look like?
Our Lab Results & Awards page shows a full example: an October 2026 heavy metal report on Grevista cocoa powder from an independent third-party laboratory, with the result and limit of quantification for each metal, plus per-serving figures. Arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury were all not detected. Try the five checks above on it.
What questions should you ask a brand?
- Can I see the full report, not just a summary or a badge?
- Which lab tested it, and is it accredited for these methods?
- What exactly was the sample, and when was it tested?
- What were the detection limits?
For how results compare across the category, read heavy metals in cocoa powder and our best cacao powder guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is ISO/IEC 17025?
It is the international standard for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Accreditation to it means an independent body has assessed the lab’s methods and quality system.
Is ppm the same as mg/kg?
Yes. One milligram per kilogram equals one part per million.
Why do some reports list a method code?
The method code names the procedure the lab followed, so another lab could repeat the same test. It usually refers to a national or international standard or to the lab’s own validated method.
Sources
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food.
- California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), Proposition 65 Maximum Allowable Dose Levels for cadmium and lead.
- ISO/IEC 17025:2017, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.
- Grevista Lab Results & Awards page.
Written by the Grevista Editorial Team. Last updated October 29, 2026. How we check facts: Editorial Policy.