A recent study has uncovered dangerous levels of lead contamination in turmeric sold across India, Nepal, and Pakistan, raising significant health concerns. Turmeric samples collected from Patna, Guwahati, and Chennai in India, as well as Karachi and Peshawar in Pakistan, were found to contain lead levels exceeding 1,000 micrograms per gram (µg/g)—over 200 times the permissible limit set by food safety authorities.

The permissible limit for lead in turmeric, according to India’s Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), is 10 µg/g. Despite this, the highest contamination was recorded in Patna, with lead levels soaring to 2,274 µg/g, followed by 127 µg/g in Guwahati.

Source of Contamination

The study, published in Science of The Total Environment, identified lead chromate as the primary source of contamination. This toxic yellow pigment, commonly used in paints, plastics, and ceramics, is being illegally added to turmeric to enhance its bright yellow color and boost sales of substandard produce.

Most Contaminated Forms of Turmeric

• Polished turmeric roots were the most contaminated, followed by loose turmeric powder.
• Packaged and branded powders were relatively safer, but contamination was still detected in some samples.
• The study revealed that loose, under-regulated spices were significantly more likely to be adulterated than packaged ones.

Health Implications

Lead is a neurotoxin with no safe consumption level. It mimics calcium, accumulating in bones and disrupting metabolic processes. The health risks of lead exposure include:

• Children: Reduced intelligence, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems. Blood lead levels as low as 3.5 µg/dL can impair cognitive development.
• Adults: Increased risk of heart disease, kidney failure, and premature death.

Globally, over 815 million children are estimated to have dangerously high blood lead levels, with 413 million exceeding 100 µg/L, according to the World Health Organization.

Findings Across the Supply Chain

The study analyzed turmeric samples from 23 major cities across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, collected between December 2020 and March 2021. It found:

• 14% of turmeric samples had lead levels above 2 µg/g, the threshold considered unsafe.
• Adulteration with lead chromate has been traced back to the 1980s, when it was first used to brighten dull turmeric after floods.

The contamination was most prevalent in loose turmeric and at polishing mills, where merchants often requested the addition of yellow pigments to boost sales of low-quality roots.

Call for Action

Experts warn that the current system of periodic food safety checks catches only a fraction of adulterated turmeric entering global markets. They urge:

1. Stricter regulations: Mandatory testing of turmeric at all stages of the supply chain.
2. Consumer education: Raising awareness about the dangers of adulterated turmeric.
3. Incentives for safer practices: Encouraging merchants to adopt ethical practices without resorting to toxic additives.

The FSSAI mandates that turmeric must be free from lead chromate and other extraneous coloring agents, but enforcement remains inconsistent.

Health Tips for Consumers

• Purchase packaged and branded turmeric from trusted sources.
• Avoid buying loose turmeric powder or polished roots from unregulated vendors.
• Opt for natural, organic turmeric, where possible, to minimize health risks.

Conclusion

This study serves as a wake-up call for governments, food safety authorities, and consumers alike. Addressing this issue requires a combined effort to eradicate toxic practices from the turmeric supply chain and safeguard public health.