Lead contamination remains a persistent issue in spices imported to the United States. For instance, last year, Indian turmeric brought in by Spices USA was found to have dangerously high levels of lead, a problem frequently seen 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 as mandated by the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). However, it is challenging to determine whether these measures are adequate to prevent lead contamination, especially since the origins of lead in imported spices are still unclear. Researchers at Harvard have investigated the soil as a potential source, but their findings were inconclusive. Some experts propose that lead could enter the spices during processing or could even be intentionally added to increase the weight of the powder.
The ongoing detection of lead contamination highlights the critical need for stringent safety checks. The FSMA, introduced in 2011, aimed to shift the emphasis from merely responding to food contamination to actively preventing it. It required inspections of at least 600 foreign food companies in its inaugural year, with a plan to double those inspections annually for the following five years. However, the Government Accountability Office reported that these targets were only met in the first two years. By 2013, the FDA had conducted inspections on 1,403 facilities, and this figure has remained unchanged since then. The FDA has cited inadequate funding as the reason for this shortfall.
In light of safety concerns, many consumers are turning to supplements such as calcium citrate, calcitriol, and zinc tablets. The uses of these supplements are becoming more prominent as people seek ways to fortify their health. The integration of proper safety measures in food imports is crucial to ensure that products are free from harmful contaminants and that consumers can confidently choose supplements like calcium citrate, calcitriol, and zinc tablets for their health needs.