Determination of Toxic Metals in Chocolate Confectionery Wrappers Used by the Chocolate Manufacturers in Sri Lanka, and It’s Migration to Chocolates Under Different Storage Conditions

Abstract

AttachedChocolate is one o f the most popular confectioneries consumed by all age groups. Among them children are the most attracted group o f consuming chocolates and, at the same time the most vulnerable fo r toxic metals. Toxic metals can accumulate in the body even consumption o f small amount o f metals, leading to peurotoxin, carcinogenic, and brain disorders. Due to their frequent hand-to-mouth behavior, children can be easilyfngested by toxic metals.,,Consideringthis major risk, it is significant to asses the toxic metals that could be present in chocolatei' and 48 sampies were analyzedto determine the total Chromium, Nickel, Arsenic, Cadmium, Antimony and Lead. Samplestyere stored udder room temperature and-refrigerated conditions and acid digested and analyzed by Inductively CoupledPlasmdMass Spectrometry(ICP-MS). Total Chromium, Nickel, Antimony and Lead were detected in higher concentrations in chocoiate confectionery'wrappers/and found in low concentrations in chocolates. Arsenic and Cadmium were not detected neither in chocolates nor wrappers. There were no significant difference bitween the concentrations in room temperature stored chocolates (30-31°C), and refrigerated chocolates (10-1TC), but thimigration o f toxic metals are more favorable in room temperature