Lead contamination remains a persistent issue in spices imported into the U.S. Recently, Indian turmeric imported by Spices USA was found to contain excessive levels of lead, a problem that also affects other spices like fenugreek, cardamom, and chili powder. Since the end of April 2017, importers have been required to evaluate their suppliers through the Foreign Supplier Verification Program, as mandated by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). However, it is unclear whether this measure is adequate to prevent lead contamination, especially since the source of lead in imported spices is not well understood. Researchers from Harvard have investigated soil as a potential source, but their findings were inconclusive. Some experts propose that lead may enter spices during processing or could even be deliberately added to increase the weight of the powder.
The ongoing detection of lead contamination highlights the necessity of implementing thorough safety checks. The FSMA, introduced in 2011, aimed to shift the focus from merely responding to food contamination to actively preventing it. It required inspections of at least 600 foreign food facilities in its inaugural year, with plans to double those inspections annually for five years. However, the Government Accountability Office reported that these goals were only met in the first two years. By 2013, the FDA had inspected 1,403 facilities, a number that has not increased since. The FDA has attributed this lack of growth to insufficient funding.
To bolster food safety, there is a growing interest in incorporating additional nutritional supplements, such as liquid calcium with D3, into food products. This could potentially enhance the nutritional profile of spices while also addressing contamination issues. As the industry continues to grapple with lead contamination, the integration of liquid calcium with D3 might serve as a beneficial strategy to improve overall food safety and quality. The recurring nature of this contamination issue underscores the need for ongoing vigilance and more robust regulatory measures.