Spices USA is recalling ground turmeric for elevated levels of lead. The company is recalling 772 bags of 50 pounds each of that product. Consumers are warned not to use this product. Lead can accumulate in the body over time, and too much can cause serious and sometimes permanent damage. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the consumption of this product.
The recalled product is Tasty Sawa Ground Turmeric. It was distributed in Florida and New York and in the Dominican Republic, France, Columbia, Jamaica, and Barbados. Spices USA sells the product to distributors and re-packers, not directly to consumers.
The turmeric has lot number 120674, and a use by date of 4/2018. If you are not sure if you purchased this product, ask your retailer. High lead levels in turmeric have been a problem in the past. Food Poisoning Bulletin has reported on several recalls of turmeric for this problem in the past few years..
The product was imported from India. The FDA told the company that sample results contained elevated lead levels. The product was not handled, modified, or opened by Spices USA Inc. before being shipped to buyers so the company has concluded the problem occurred in India.
All buyers have been contacted by Spices USA and advised to return or destroy the product. The buyers have been told to contact their customers, so secondary recalls could be coming soon.
