Several Turmeric Manufacturers in Bangladesh Add Lead to the Spice
The golden spice is one of the most potent
natural ingredients out there, and the active ingredient in turmeric,
curcumin, has been shown to have antimicrobial and cancer-fighting
properties, among many other health benefits. Unfortunately, several
manufacturers have been adulterating the spice since the 1980s by adding
lead chromate, a lead-based yellow dye that enhances the natural bright
gold color of the spice, as reported in a recent article by Stanford
researchers.
Lead, a heavy metal, is a known neurotoxin
that interferes with brain development, so it’s especially dangerous for
children, but it also significantly contributes to brain, endocrine and
heart disease in adults, which is why it has been banned from the food
supply for decades.
Despite the ban, high blood lead levels were consistently found in
children and women in Bangladesh, creating a serious threat to public
health. After years of trying to find the source of the lead poisoning,
Stanford researchers managed to spot the culprit. The source of this
mass lead poisoning was turmeric, a culinary staple in Bangladesh.
This prompted a new study, where the
researchers tested a total of 524 samples from 9 of the major turmeric
manufacturing districts across the country. The researchers used X-rays
to scan the samples and locate traces of lead in those samples, and
found lead cadmium in 7 out of the 9 districts. A ban of lead cadmium in
the food industry in Bangladesh has existed since 1999, but it appears
that the ban needs further and urgent enforcement.
On a global scale, Bangladesh is the fifth largest exporter of turmeric
in the world, producing an estimated 3% of turmeric powder in the world.
This may seem like a small percentage, but Bangladesh isn’t the only
country caught adding lead to turmeric in the past. In fact, a total of
15 manufacturers in India and Bangladesh have been refused certification
by the FDA in the past few years due to lead-based dye use.
Furthermore, many of the worst offenders found by the study discussed
above had plans to export their products abroad. The authors of the
article also pointed out that many potentially adulterated products may
have flown under the radar of international regulatory authorities due
to the lack of awareness about the possibility of lead contamination in
the products. This is extremely alarming knowing that turmeric is a
staple in cuisine worldwide and a common ingredient in ready-made foods
and condiments, such as mustard and macaroni and cheese, for example.
The study prompted global awareness to the
issue of lead contamination in turmeric and suggests conducting X-ray
testing by the regulatory authorities before approving the import of
turmeric into a certain country. As a consumer, the authors of the study
point out, you should avoid low-cost and potentially-unregulated goods
and get rid of old turmeric powder, if you have any, as these powders
have a higher likelihood of containing lead.
This is why it’s better to purchase turmeric in-store or from trusted
websites and from a reliable mainstream brand. Also, it’s best to avoid
turmeric that originated in Bangladesh for the time being, so look at
the manufacturing label on the packaging before purchasing a new packet
of turmeric. Finally, try to avoid low-cost spices you can buy in bulk,
as these have a greater chance of being diluted or containing added
dyes.