If you’re anxious about lead lurking in your home, you might want to take a closer look at your spice cabinet. With everything going on in the world right now—pandemic, climate change, and other worries—it feels like we don’t need any more bad news. Unfortunately, it seems that some spices we use daily to add flavor and joy to our meals may contain harmful levels of lead and other heavy metals. This could pose health risks for both adults and children.
Consumer Reports Findings
Consumer Reports recently tested a wide array of popular spices—126 products from well-known brands like Trader Joe’s, McCormick, and Whole Foods. Shockingly, they discovered that about one-third of these items contained concerning levels of heavy metals. According to their findings, “Roughly one-third of the tested products, totaling 40, had high enough levels of arsenic, lead, and cadmium combined, on average, to pose a health concern for children with regular consumption.” And, yes, adults need to be cautious too.
Problematic Spices
The herbs thyme and oregano were particularly problematic, with nearly all tested products showing high levels of these toxic metals. If your kids are anything like mine and chow down on pizza, pizza bagels, and pizza pockets (seriously, is there a pizza shortage?), this is something to consider. In 31 products, the metal levels exceeded the daily maximum that anyone should consume. And it didn’t matter if the brand was organic or made in the USA; many had alarming levels of heavy metals.
What Should You Do?
So, what should you do? Should you toss all your spices and go live off the grid? Not necessarily. While it might be wise to rethink thyme and oregano (maybe even consider growing them yourself?), there are spices that tested with lower levels of heavy metals, such as black pepper, garlic powder, coriander, and even curry. Luckily, we use a lot of garlic powder here, so that’s a relief.
Good News and Expert Advice
In addition, there was no evidence of salmonella found in any of the tested spices, which is a small victory in this spicy saga. James L. Carter, PhD, a food safety expert, reassured us that a single serving containing high metal levels won’t ruin your day, but it’s still smart to limit these spices, especially for kids. He pointed out that while we might worry about lead in drinking water or arsenic in juices, spices can also be a surprising source of these metals.
Minimizing Risk
To minimize risk, consider avoiding products made outside the U.S. where safety regulations might not be as strict. If you’re aware that your drinking water or other foods contain high levels of lead, it’s wise to cut back on all lead sources, including spices. Additionally, remember that some foods like rice, baby food, and juices can also have elevated lead levels, so getting your child tested during well visits is crucial.
Empower Yourself with Knowledge
While this information can be daunting—who knew spices could be a threat?—being informed is empowering. It allows you to adjust your spice choices and eating habits for a healthier family. And if you’re looking for more insights on home insemination, check out Make A Mom for an innovative at-home insemination solution that includes re-usable options. You can also join the Make A Mom Facebook group for support and community. If you’re curious about how home insemination works, take a look at this guide. Plus, consider exploring fertility supplements to enhance your chances. For more information about intrauterine insemination, you can visit this helpful resource from RESOLVE here.
Conclusion
In summary, while lead in spices is alarming, there are still options available that are safer. By making informed choices about the spices you use, you can safeguard your family’s health. And remember, knowledge is power!
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