An Alabama company is recalling ground tumeric because samples from an unnamed supplier have been found to contain excessive levels of lead.
recalled JM Exotic Foods ground tumericJM Exotic Foods Inc. of Moody, AL, did not indicate in its recall notice how much of its tumeric is involved or where it was distributed.
The recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration’s website also did not indicate if the recall is related to a June 28 ground tumeric recall by a New York company that was also spurred by excessive lead.
The JM Exotic Foods recalled ground tumeric is packaged in 4-ounce, clear plastic clamshell containers. The implicated containers have the item number 1153 and one of the following lot numbers: 16131185 or 16165184.
“Customers who have purchased this product are urged not to consume the product and should return it for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact customer service at 205-699-2889,” according to the company’s recall notice.
“While the (FDA) has not set a specific limit on lead in spices, there is a limit of 0.1 ppm (parts per million) in candy. The Environmental Protection Agency has stated that lead levels of 0.015 ppm in drinking water require treatment. Lead can accumulate in the body over time, and too much of it can cause serious and sometimes permanent adverse health consequences.”
Children are particularly susceptible to lead poisoning, which can cause developmental problems and life-long implications, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
