Toxic levels of lead found in turmeric sold in India, Nepal, Pakistan

Lead chromate, a yellow pigment typically used in industrial products like paint, is likely the main contaminant, according to the researchers.

High levels of lead have been found in various samples of turmeric sold in India, Nepal and Pakistan, according to a recent study.

These levels are higher than the regulatory limit surpassing 1,000 micrograms per gram (µg/g) per dose. India's Food Safety and Standards Authority (FSSAI) sets the maximum allowable lead content in turmeric at 10 µg/g.

The study, published in Science of The Total Environment, analysed turmeric from 23 cities across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, revealing that about 14% of samples exceeded lead concentrations of 2 µg/g.

Lead chromate, a yellow pigment typically used in industrial products like paint, is likely the main contaminant, according to the researchers.

The additive enhances turmeric's colour but introduces toxic lead, a practice linked to incidents of lead poisoning in other countries, including Bangladesh and the United States.