ABSTRACT

 The Cu, Pb, Zn and Mn content of ten chocolates and candies purchased from Abuja municipal aiea council were determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS). The HN03 digestion method was evaluated by the analysis of the ten replicates of the candies and chocolate which gave a precision of 2%, 3%, 17% and 2% for Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn respectively. The results of the analysis showed that the mean metal levels in the chocolate and candy samples were Ni 0.077+0.0µglg Cu/0.26±0.05µg/g, Zn/0.36+0.06µg/g, Pb/0.12+0.0065µg/g and Mn/O. 77+18µglg. The mean metal level in the locally manufactured chocolate and candy were Ni 0.01+0.00Jµg/g, Pb/0.01 +0.007µglg, whilst that of the imported chocolate and candy showed that Ni was 0.0.54+0.03µg/g, Cu/0.2.3+0.049µg/g, Zn/0.6+.0.0Bµglg, Pb/0.014+0.006 Liglg and Mn/J.06+0.15 /ug/g. Mn with a level of0.88+0.03-1.2+0.25µg/g and with a level ofND-0.04µg/g was the highest and lowest respectively. All chocolates and candies analysed pose no threat to health as their level were within acceptable limits of metals in foods.