Haldi in your food contains high levels of lead, new study reveals

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.
The researchers from Stanford University, in collaboration with Pure Earth and India’s Freedom Employability Academy, stated that the metal can interfere with essential bodily functions by mimicking calcium and accumulating in bones.
Turmeric lead levels exceeded 10 µg/g from seven cities in total: Patna, Guwahati, and Chennai in India, Kathmandu in Nepal, and Karachi, Islamabad, and Peshawar in Pakistan.
In India, Patna recorded the highest level at 2,274 µg/g, followed by Guwahati at 127 µg/g. Interestingly, polished turmeric roots, often used to enhance appearance, showed the highest contamination levels, followed by loose powders.
Packaged and branded turmeric products contained relatively lower lead concentrations, suggesting that loose and under-regulated forms of turmeric could be more susceptible to contamination.

Packaged and branded turmeric products contained relatively lower lead concentrations. (Photo: Getty Images)

While lead contamination in turmeric is not illegal, it can cause serious harm particularly to children. It has been linked to issues like reduced intelligence, behavioural problems, and developmental delays in children.
Previous studies have found that elevated lead exposure in children, even at levels as low as 3.5 µg/dL in blood, may result in impaired cognitive and behavioural outcomes.
Worldwide, it’s estimated that over 800 million children have blood lead levels significantly above safe thresholds.

While lead contamination in turmeric is not illegal, it can cause serious harm particularly to children. (Photo: Getty Images)

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.
Previous investigations into the turmeric supply chain in Bangladesh revealed that adding lead chromate to low-quality turmeric roots has been practised for decades to improve appearance.
The researchers called for further investigation into South Asia’s turmeric supply chains.
“Given the overwhelmingly elevated lead levels in turmeric from these locations, urgent action is needed to halt the practice of lead chromate addition in the turmeric supply chain,” the researchers wrote in the study.