Lead In The Kitchen Pantry

A new study of spices and ceremonial powders sold in Indian stores in
Boston has found that almost a quarter of all spices are contaminated with
lead.

Researchers at the Children’s Hospital in Boston and the Harvard School
of Public Health tested 157 spices and cultural products, such as sindoor, from 15 grocery stores in the region and found that a quarter of
spices, such as cardamom, chili powder and fenugreek, and almost two thirds of
ceremonial product had more than 1 microgram of lead. The level is not
considered toxic, but researchers caution that it can be hazardous to children.