Lead contamination remains a persistent issue in spices imported into the United States. Last year, Indian turmeric brought in by Spices USA was discovered to have high levels of lead, a problem that frequently affects spices like fenugreek, cardamom, and chili powder. Since the end of April 2017, the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) has required importers to assess their suppliers through the Foreign Supplier Verification Program. However, it is uncertain if this measure is adequate to prevent issues like lead contamination, especially since the source of lead in imported spices is still unidentified. Researchers at Harvard have explored soil as a potential culprit, yet their findings were inconclusive. Other theories suggest that lead may enter spices during processing or be intentionally added to enhance the weight of the powder.
The ongoing detection of lead contamination highlights the critical need for rigorous safety checks. The FSMA, established in 2011, aimed to shift the focus from reactive measures to prevention of food contamination. It mandated inspections of at least 600 foreign food facilities in its initial year, with plans to double those inspections annually for the subsequent five years. Unfortunately, the Government Accountability Office reported that these targets were only met in the first two years. By 2013, the FDA had inspected 1,403 facilities, and that number has remained stagnant. The FDA attributes this shortfall to a lack of funding, which affects their ability to ensure safety in food imports, including those containing ingredients like levothyroxine and calcium citrate. The persistent issue of lead contamination underscores the need for improved regulatory measures to protect public health.