Listen up curry lovers!
The turmeric powder you have been storing at home may contain a high level of lead contamination, according to the FDA. So before you decide to add this spice into any of your dishes. Make sure you double check the brand names against the below list!
Here’s the list of the all the recalled brands so far by the FDA.
Now if the above list looks confusing, here’s the photo of each brand.
1) Spice Select – 8 oz
2) Market Pantry – 0.95 oz
3) Gel – 15 oz (Lot/BB: 04/18/19)
4) Gel – 15 oz (Lot/BB: 05/16/19)
5) Clear Value 0.75 oz
6) Lieber’s – 2 oz
7) Spice Supreme – 2 oz
8) Fresh Finds – 3.75 oz
This is another brand (in fact the original brand) that was found to be contaminated with lead. But it wasn’t in the above list. However, you can see the details on the original FDA recall page.
So there are in fact 7 brand names that’s affected.
Now if you have been using any of the above ground turmeric in your kitchen. It may be wise to take it back to the store you bought it from and ask for a refund. Of course, you can also (and should) toss it out if it makes your life easier.
Thankfully, there has been no reports of sickness from the incident (yet), but that doesn’t mean no one has been affected since lead poisoning can take some time to accumulate.
According to Mayo Clinic, long term consumption of lead at a dangerous level can have devastating consequences in both adults (especially pregnant women) and children.
Children Symptoms
- Development delay
- Learning difficulties
- Irritability (e.g grumpiness, eating things they shouldn’t)
- Seizures
- Loss of Appetite
- Loss of Weight
- Lack of Concentration
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Hearing loss
Adult Symptoms
- High blood pressure
- Muscle & Joint pain
- Memory Loss
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Headaches
- Stomach Pain
- Mood Swings
- Reduced Sperm Counts
- Abnormal Sperms
Well ok, maybe not that abnormal, but you get the point!
On a serious note, lead Poisoning is not something to joke around nor ignore, and it is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and newborns.
Some symptoms includes
- Miscarriage
- Stillbirth
- Intrauterine growth restriction or IUGR (slowed growth in the womb)
- Premature birth
- Delayed growth
So if you are concerned that you (or anyone you care about) may have been affected by these recalled products, then you should contact your health clinic immediately to have your blood lead levels check.
What about curry powders?
Very good question and since we know that curry powder contains turmeric as one of their main ingredients. So its only natural that we look further into the matter.
And we were right!
After some further research, we found out that a number of curry powders were indeed affected by the source of contamination. Here are the brands according to cleveland.
1) Blue Mountain Country
- Mild Curry Powder
- Hot Curry Powder
- Hot Jamaican Jerk Curry Seasoning
2) Jamaica Choice
- Mild Curry Powder
- Hot Curry Powder
3) Ocho Rios
- Jamaican Nice Mild Curry Powder
- Spicy Curry Powder
- Jerk Curry Seasoning Mild
- Jerk Curry Seasoning Spicy
4) Oriental
- Mild Curry Powder
- Hot Curry Powder
5) Grace
- Mild Curry Powder
- Hot Curry Powder
- Caribbean Curry Powder
- Caribbean Tradition Hot Curry Powder
Apparently, some of these brands were detected by a New York State Health Department laboratory during a random routine test check. Some companies followed suit and voluntarily recalled their products as they were also worried that their brands may be contaminated with harmful level of leads.
No information were given as to how these products became victim of this recall.
So What Should You Use From Now On?
Turmeric has become big business throughout the last century, making its way into many western countries and into common households.
That’s because not only do they taste great (especially when used in curries), they also consist of a natural compound, circumin, which has been proven to provide a number of health benefits, including anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
So we are not really surprise that some dodgy suppliers will mix in a bit of this and that (leads, dyes, chalk powders etc) in order to make some extra money. Of course, it could also originate from the soil its grown in.
Before we get any further details and confirmation on this case, we highly suggest anyone who’s currently using turmeric on a regular basis to switch to a trusted organic brand.
Again, if anyone is concerned whether they or a family member has been affected, it is advisable to seek medical attention immediately for a peace of mind.
And don’t forget to SHARE this article so other people can take precautions.
We wish you well.
