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Lead pigment in turmeric is the culprit in a global poisoning mystery (2024)

(www.npr.org)
354 points perihelions | 1 comments | 11 Jul 25 15:33 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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vasusen ◴[11 Jul 25 16:42 UTC] No.44534256[source]▶
I grew up in India and now live in the US. My mom recently got some ground turmeric from our own farm when she visited us. I am was stunned by how much more duller, brownish-yellow it was compared to the turmeric I buy in Indian stores in the US. Those are usually really bright yellows.

Now, I am really scared that even stuff sold in California is probably lead paint tainted turmeric.

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genewitch ◴[11 Jul 25 16:56 UTC] No.44534455[source]▶
article says "you can't tell when it's ground" - that is, specifically, they put lead chromate in the "buff" stage, so the roots look like they were dried properly.

In the same way that a lot of apples and the like will be buffed and then a soft wax coat applied so lots of apples are very shiny at the store.

if the turmeric is ground before sale i doubt there's any reason to use lead chromate.

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1. toast0 ◴[11 Jul 25 17:37 UTC] No.44534961[source]▶
> if the turmeric is ground before sale i doubt there's any reason to use lead chromate.

If the roots are wholesaled to the grinder, and the grinder doesn't know that bright means poisoned, they might prefer brighter looking roots. The ground tumeric will be poisoned.

Similarly, if the roots are poisoned and discriminating buyers aren't buying then because they're too bright, you can still grind it and sell it, and the color will blend.