FAQs

In June of 2023, we announced some significant changes to Theo, including a change in our manufacturing processes (you can see the original announcement here). Since then, instead of completing each step of the chocolate making process ourselves, we now work with trusted partners with deep expertise in chocolate to produce our products on our behalf. These partners were carefully chosen to make sure they meet our high standards for quality and food safety, and everything is done with our involvement and control. Theo remains an independent company, and our commitments to organic and fair trade will remain unchanged. We’ll still be deeply involved in sourcing cocoa beans (continuing our relationship with Esco Kivu and farmers in Watalinga) and leading new product development to bring you new chocolate treats that live up to our mission and the same level of quality you’ve come to expect from Theo. We hope to have the chance to prove this commitment to you and are available at info@theochocolate.com for any additional questions you may have.

If you're looking for us in Seattle - please stop by! Our Flagship Store and Confection Kitchen are still open and filled with delicious handmade creations only available at our shop, plus guided chocolate tastings and other in-person classes and events.

This error most commonly occurs when the billing address does not match what the card issuing bank has on file, or a PO Box is being used as the shipping address.

No, we do not ship product outside of the US for consumers.

Heavy metals like lead and cadmium are found in the soil and air all around the world. They naturally occur in many of the foods we eat – most commonly leafy greens, root vegetables like sweet potatoes, nuts, and fruits. Cocoa comes from the beans found in the fruit of the Theobroma cacao tree. Elements like cadmium naturally occur in the cocoa beans due to the absorption by the roots of the tree from the soil. Lead levels are influenced by where and how the cocoa beans are grown, harvested and dried. According to the FDA in late 2022, “environmental contaminants can be present in foods because they are in the environments where foods are grown, raised or processed. The presence of cadmium and lead in chocolate are well documented...” It is an issue that is present across not only the chocolate industry worldwide, but many food sources.  

The safety and quality of our products at Theo is our top priority, and we are confident that our products meet the standards set forth in our industry and are safe to be consumed. We regularly test our products for the presence of heavy metals, to ensure we are below the standards established in a 2018 Consent Judgement in California. This judgement superseded the levels established by the commonly known California Proposition 65 law, which was originally established in 1986 to determine if all kinds of products, including chocolate, require warnings on their labels based on maximum levels. The 2018 Consent Judgement cadmium levels are also lower than both the EU standards and the Codex Alimentarius standards (used by the World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).  

The judgement also kicked off a three-year expert research study into the causes and reduction measures of heavy metals in chocolate, which was released in August of 2022. Our team has reviewed the results of the report to identify opportunities for Theo to reduce the presence of heavy metals in the cocoa beans we source and our chocolate. We’ve reviewed our manufacturing processes, as well as spent time discussing with our sourcing partners what more can be done at origin, where the cocoa beans are grown, harvested and dried before being sent to be made into chocolate.

Theo is proud to source our cocoa beans through direct relationships with the farmers who grow and harvest our beans in the Eastern Congo. While our sourcing partners continue their efforts and work with farmers on ways to improve the drying and fermenting process, we have also found that blending secondary sources into our chocolate making is another path to lower the levels over time. Finding secondary sources that achieve this and meet the organic and fair trade commitments that are core to our mission do take time, but we are committed to implementing and measuring the effectiveness of these efforts.   

If you are interested in learning more, here are a few additional resources you may find helpful:

• an article by NPR on Dark Chocolate & Heavy Metals

• Expert Investigation Related to Cocoa and Chocolate Product

With proper storage, chocolate stays fresh for many months! The back of a pantry is often a good choice, at cool room temperature and away from sunlight. Do not refrigerate or freeze chocolate as the temperature changes may cause it to bloom. Avoid storing near items with strong scents as these can be absorbed and alter the flavor of the chocolate.

Our Flagship Store is generally open daily from 10:30am-6:00pm Pacific Time. For the most up-to-date information about Flagship Store hours and events please click here.