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Beware of Toxic Spices: Heavy Metals Found in Major Brand Names
Despite four lawsuits over the last two years over significant levels of toxic heavy metals in big brand names of herbs and spices found in a 2021 consumer report, big box stores continue to carry the listed brands and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet set stricter limits on heavy metals for dry herbs and spices.
In November 2021, Consumer Reports published a report titled “Your Herbs and Spices Might Contain Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead.” The report covered the outcome of their analysis of 126 individual products from national and private-label brands, such as Great Value (Walmart), La Flor Spices, McCormick & Company, Penzeys Spices, Spice Islands, and 365 by Whole Foods Market.
The analysis found that roughly one-third of the tested products (40) had “high enough levels of arsenic, lead, and cadmium combined, on average, to pose a health concern for children when regularly consumed in typical serving sizes,” with most raising concern for adults as well.
Multiple Lawsuits
McCormick & Company, Inc. was the first major brand to face a class action lawsuit after the report was made public. The suit was filed in January 2022 and has since been settled.
Per the suit, the defendant failed to warn consumers that some of its herbs and spices may be tainted with significant levels of toxic heavy metals.
The McCormick spices that contained heightened levels of toxic heavy metals, including lead, arsenic, and cadmium included McCormick’s Culinary Ground Basil, Ground Ginger, Ground Oregano, Paprika, Ground Thyme, and Ground Turmeric.
The lawsuit outlines that the Customer Reports analysis shows “it is possible for herb and spice companies to limit heavy metals in their products” as about “two-thirds of the spices [Consumer Reports] tested did not have concerning levels of heavy metals.” They noted that other companies such as Bolner’s Fiesta and Al Wadi Al Akhdar do perform such tests.
Moreover, the defendant would have had the knowledge that it could test for heavy metals, but did not, and it could safely remove these metals from its herbs and spices, but, again, did not. The suit claims that instead, “the defendants chose to ignore the health of the consuming public in pursuit of profit.”
The next class action was filed in March 2022 against Amazon.com under its “Happy Belly brand,” followed by a June 2022 filing against Walmart Inc. for its herbs and spices sold under the brand name “Great Value.”
Both suits argue that the products listed in the suit contain toxic heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, and lead, and the defendants neither listed the toxic heavy metals in the spices’ ingredients list nor warned consumers that they may potentially be present.
The final class action to date was filed in August 2022 against Amazon.com, Inc. and Whole Foods Market, Inc. alleging the companies fail to disclose to consumers that certain Whole Foods herbs and spices, including “365 By Whole Foods Market” basil, cumin, and ground ginger, contain lead, arsenic, and cadmium.
Despite Consumer Reports analysis and consecutive lawsuits, these spices continue to be sold on Amazon, at Walgreens, and Whole Foods (as well as other retailers), and the FDA has not yet set limits on heavy metals in this food sector.
Lack of Regulation
The FDA is responsible for the safety of herbs and spices. Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports says “the agency hasn’t set limits on heavy metals in food, except in a few cases, such as arsenic in infant rice cereal and lead in candy,” he says, but adds, that “spice companies are required to periodically conduct a food safety analysis, which includes controlling chemical hazards such as heavy metals.”
In addition, “the limited testing the FDA has done on spices has been focused on harmful bacteria, such as salmonella, not heavy metals,” Ronholm says.
Health Threats of Heavy Metals
Lead, arsenic, and cadmium are heavy metals that even in small amounts increase the risk of cancer, cognitive and reproductive problems, and other adverse conditions. Exposure puts children at risk for lowered IQ, behavioral problems (such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), Type 2 diabetes, and other health issues.
According to Consumer Reports experts, in 31 products, levels of lead were so high that they exceeded the maximum amount anyone should have in a day. They caution that “just one serving—3/4 teaspoons or more—per day leaves little room for heavy metal exposure from other sources” including in “fruit juice, baby food, and rice.”
Also in many recipes, spices and dry herbs are combined. Consumer Reports findings show, for example, that “a dish that has just ¼ teaspoon each of Great Value (Walmart) Chili Powder, Trader Joe’s Organic Cumin, and La Flor Oregano per serving would contain enough arsenic, cadmium, and lead to pose a concern.”
A 2018 study in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report found high lead levels in 22 percent of food samples—mostly spices and herbal remedies—taken from homes of children with lead poisoning in North Carolina.
Additionally, a 2010 study linked a case of lead poisoning in a 12-month-old Massachusetts boy in part to turmeric used by the family. Five similar cases were later discovered in Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, and New York. And more than a dozen turmeric products have been recalled since 2011.
Avoiding Toxic Spices
Consumer Reports experts say that although some products contain enough heavy metals, even in the small amounts used in cooking, “to raise a concern when used regularly there are ways to limit your risk by choosing and using spices carefully.”
Many products performed well in the tests. In seven of the 15 types of herbs and spices tested, all the brands had heavy metal levels below our thresholds for concern. And in most others, they found at least one brand that fits into their “no concern” category.
Here are some tips:
Choose products with the lowest levels of heavy metals. The Consumer Report’s tests found at least one product that fits in their “no concern” category for every herb and spice they tested except oregano and thyme.
Focus on herbs and spices that are lower in heavy metals. Black pepper, coriander, curry powder, garlic powder, saffron, sesame seeds, and white pepper all had lower heavy metal content per the testing.
Don’t assume organic brands are safer. Organic products did not have consistently lower levels than conventionally grown ones. Ronholm says “the USDA’s [U.S. Department of Agriculture] organic standards don’t include heavy metal testing.”
Grow your own. Basil, oregano, and thyme tested the highest in heavy metals across all brands. Learning how to grow and dry your own spices could be a good alternative.
Consider your total potential exposure to heavy metals. Because recent testing has shown so many foods contain heavy metals from baby food, to chocolate, juices, and water, it’s important to take steps to limit your potential exposure to heavy metals from all sources. This is especially important “if you have kids at home,” experts warn.
Take Action. Consumer Reports has created a petition calling on the FDA to set stricter limits on food to “protect Americans from heavy metals.” You can check out the petition here.
The Epoch Times has reached out to McCormick, Amazon, Wholefoods, and Walgreens for comment. To date, only Walgreens has responded with the following comment:
“We are committed to providing high-quality products and have always required that our private brand suppliers’ products meet or exceed FDA’s guidelines for naturally occurring elements that are not added during the manufacturing process. We will continue to defend the company against this litigation.”
