Heavy metals in organic turmeric powder.
CERC labs also tested six national brands of organic turmeric powder for safety, especially for the presence of pesticide residues and heavy metals, namely lead, copper, tin, zinc, cadmium, arsenic and mercury. The brands tested were Asal, 24 Mantra Organic, Fab India Organics, Morarka Organic Down to Earth, Sattvic Organic and Natural and Vikalp Organic Product.
. The samples were tested against the values set by the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins & Residues) Regulations, 2011.
High Copper and Arsenic
The bad news was that three brands had higher than permissible levels of copper. Fab India had the highest level of 7.20 mg/kg as against the limit of 5.0 mg/kg. Arsenic was also found to be beyond the safe limit in four brands. While the standard limit is 0.1 mg/kg (maximum), Asal had the highest level of 0.52 mg/kg.
Long-term exposure to excessive amounts of copper could cause male infertility, liver damage, kidney failure, coma and death. Long-term exposure to arsenic from food can cause cancer, skin lesions, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity and diabetes.
Highly priced
A price comparison revealed that organic turmeric brands purchased from the Indian market are priced between Rs. 25 and Rs. 85 per 100 g. Other brands not making organic claims are priced between Rs. 21 and Rs. 25 per 100 g. What is shocking is that consumers are paying much more and consuming products that have adverse effects on health.
Lack of labelling information
As per the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, that every packaged food article has to be labelled and provide certain information including the list of ingredients, nutritional information, net quantity, date of manufacture and packing and best before date.
All brands gave incomplete information. Asal was the worst performer and flouted all norms. The Asal product was packed in a plastic packet with hand written weight information. The second from the bottom in this respect was Vikalp which mentioned only weight, price and address of manufacturer. more
. The samples were tested against the values set by the Food Safety and Standards (Contaminants, Toxins & Residues) Regulations, 2011.
High Copper and Arsenic
The bad news was that three brands had higher than permissible levels of copper. Fab India had the highest level of 7.20 mg/kg as against the limit of 5.0 mg/kg. Arsenic was also found to be beyond the safe limit in four brands. While the standard limit is 0.1 mg/kg (maximum), Asal had the highest level of 0.52 mg/kg.
Long-term exposure to excessive amounts of copper could cause male infertility, liver damage, kidney failure, coma and death. Long-term exposure to arsenic from food can cause cancer, skin lesions, developmental effects, cardiovascular disease, neurotoxicity and diabetes.
Highly priced
A price comparison revealed that organic turmeric brands purchased from the Indian market are priced between Rs. 25 and Rs. 85 per 100 g. Other brands not making organic claims are priced between Rs. 21 and Rs. 25 per 100 g. What is shocking is that consumers are paying much more and consuming products that have adverse effects on health.
Lack of labelling information
As per the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011, that every packaged food article has to be labelled and provide certain information including the list of ingredients, nutritional information, net quantity, date of manufacture and packing and best before date.
All brands gave incomplete information. Asal was the worst performer and flouted all norms. The Asal product was packed in a plastic packet with hand written weight information. The second from the bottom in this respect was Vikalp which mentioned only weight, price and address of manufacturer. more
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Labels like Organic, Natural, even Ayurvedic have to be read with more understanding and frankly disbelief. Such claims are totally incorrect. The FSAAI is unfortunately not competent to analyse and measure any of these fancy claims. more
Sep 07
the presence of heavy metals is through the water used to irrigate the field. it is common knowledge that water in india is mostly contaminated with HEAVY NETALS. Even in potable water supplied, it is no exception more
Sep 07
What is the States'/UTs' Departments of Consumer Affairs and Weights & Measures doing? They should be bombarded for explanations to the public, why these lapses? more
Sep 07
