France, Aug. 23 -- An investigation has revealed that popular cocoa-based products in France may contribute more than expected to daily exposure to cadmium, a metal that builds up in the body over time and canincrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Chocolate may be one of life's small pleasures, but a French consumer group has warned that it can contain a "significant" amount of cadmium - a heavy metal linked to health risks if consumed in excess.

UFC-Que Choisir, which published its findings on Thursday, is calling on French consumers to moderate chocolate consumption, particularly among children.

While the chocolate products tested by UFC-Que Choisir did comply with legal limits, the group warns that cadmium intake ca...