Addressing the issue of Turmeric adulteration: Strategies for the prevention and management of lead poisoning

ABSTRACTTurmeric is of huge importance in Indian food and traditional medicine that’s why it is also called as golden spice.It not only increases the taste of food but pharmacologically it helps to eliminate or reduce pain, oxidative stressand inflammation. Turmeric contains a chemical constituent known as curcumin which have scientifically provenanalgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Turmeric as a spice provides many health benefits andvery useful ingredient of Ayurvedic medicines but if we came to know that this yellow spice is harmful, then whatwill happen and what can we do. Recent research says that, the levels of lead in samples of turmeric taken fromdifferent countries of the Asian continent were found 1,000 μg/g. This much level is too much high and responsiblething behind it was found Lead chromate. It is very shocking that although Lead chromate, a yellow colourpigment is not a food ingredient but it is used in food items (turmeric) to increase the colour appearance. Accordingto the Indian standards, the lead level in turmeric (whole and powdered) cannot be more than 10 μg/g. Recentreport of World health organization tells that people lead exposure makes a man sick. More than 0.15 crores deathsoccurred all over the world due to lead exposure in the year 2021. Mostly the reason of death was found problem inthe heart. In this article, we will go over some of the facts of turmeric adulteration, where lead comes from,analysis of lead and, the dangers of lead poisoning and lead chromate. The approaches for preventing and treatinglead poisoning have also been covered.