←back to thread

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

(www.npr.org)
349 points perihelions | 2 comments | 11 Jul 25 15:33 UTC | HN request time: 0.501s | source
Show context
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.

replies(5): >>44534455 #>>44534853 #>>44534901 #>>44534980 #>>44536431 #
zargon ◴[11 Jul 25 17:27 UTC] No.44534853[source]▶
Burlap and Barrel tests their turmeric for lead and publishes the results. It’s a lot more expensive than Indian store turmeric, but personally I’m no longer willing to buy untested turmeric.

(Relatedly, Lundberg publishes the arsenic levels of their brown rice, so that’s basically the only brand of rice I buy any more.)

replies(2): >>44536069 #>>44538324 #
1. droopyEyelids ◴[12 Jul 25 00:51 UTC] No.44538324[source]▶
Don’t know what part of the country you’re in, but in Chicago even the basic chain grocery stores carry fresh unprocessed turmeric now.

There’s basically no reason to ever use powdered or dried.

replies(1): >>44538865 #
2. giraffe_lady ◴[12 Jul 25 02:43 UTC] No.44538865[source]▶
Except that it's a different ingredient, that tastes different and works differently. I still use cayenne for some things even though I have fresh chile peppers I don't put fresh ginger in ginger snaps etc.