Health Warning: Lead in Turmeric Found to Exceed Safe Limits by 200 Times in India
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Lead levels in turmeric sold in India, Nepal and Pakistan were several times higher than the regulatory limit, according to a new study.
Samples from India’s Patna, and Pakistan’s Karachi and Peshawar had lead levels in turmeric exceeding 1,000 microgram/gram (μg/g), the study published in Science of The Total Environment found. Guwahati and Chennai also saw levels exceeding the regulatory limit set by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The regulatory limit for lead in turmeric whole and powder is 10 μg / g, states FSSAI’s Food Safety and Standards Regulations, 2011. Children having blood lead level of 10 µg / L is associated with a loss of 1 intelligence quotient point. While there is no known safe blood lead concentration, even blood lead concentrations as low as 3.5 µg / dL may be associated with decreased intelligence in children, behavioural difficulties and learning problems.
The researchers analysed turmeric samples were collected from 23 major cities across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal between December 2020 and March 2021. Their analysis found that 14 per cent of turmeric samples had lead levels above 2 μg / g, while the World Health Organization maintains that no quantity of lead consumption is safe. In India, Patna and Guwahati the maximum levels were found to be 2,274 μg / g and 127 μg / g. Samples in both places were reportedly sourced from Bihar, the study highlighted.
Polished turmeric roots were found to be most contaminated, followed by loose powder, packaged branded powder and unpolished roots. The loose, under-regulated spices were more likely to be adulterated than packaged turmeric, the study pointed out.
The study also concluded that the most likely source of lead in turmeric samples was lead chromate, a yellow pigment used in paints, rubber, plastics and ceramic coatings. FSSAI’s rules require turmeric to be free from lead chromate, added starch and any other extraneous colouring matter.
Reference: Forsyth, J. E., Mistree, D., Nash, E., Angrish, M., & Luby, S. P. (2024). Evidence of turmeric adulteration with lead chromate across South Asia. Science of The Total Environment, 949, 175003.
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