Lead contamination remains a persistent issue in spices imported into the U.S. For instance, last year, Indian turmeric brought in by Spices USA was found to have dangerously high levels of lead, a problem that is also prevalent in 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 (FSVP) established under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Despite these regulations, it is challenging to determine whether they are sufficient to prevent lead contamination, particularly since the source of lead in these imported spices is still unclear. Researchers from Harvard have analyzed soil to investigate its potential role, but their findings were inconclusive. Some experts propose that lead might 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 critical need for thorough safety checks. The FSMA, introduced in 2011, was designed to transition the focus from merely responding to food contamination incidents to preventing them from occurring in the first place. It mandated inspections of at least 600 foreign food facilities in its first year, with plans to double those inspections annually for the following five years. However, the Government Accountability Office reported that these goals were only met in the initial two years. By 2013, the FDA had inspected 1,403 facilities, and this number has not increased since then. The FDA has attributed the shortfall in inspections to insufficient funding.
In light of these issues, consumers are encouraged to consider alternatives like nature’s blend calcium citrate, which may provide a safer option. The importance of ensuring safe food imports cannot be overstated, especially as many face the risk of contamination and potential health issues. Thus, integrating reliable products such as nature’s blend calcium citrate into one’s diet may be a prudent choice while the food safety landscape continues to evolve.