ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF TURMERIC ADULTERATION: STRATEGIES FOR THE PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT OF LEAD POISONING

Ankur Patel and Tapan Kumar Mahato*

Turmeric 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 stress and inflammation. Turmeric contains a chemical constituent known as curcumin which have scientifically proven analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Turmeric as a spice provides many health benefits and very useful ingredient of Ayurvedic medicines but if we came to know that this yellow spice is harmful, then what will happen and what can we do. Recent research says that, the levels of lead in samples of turmeric taken from different countries of the Asian continent were found 1,000 µg/g. This much level is too much high and responsible thing behind it was found Lead chromate. It is very shocking that although Lead chromate, a yellow colour pigment is not a food ingredient but it is used in food items (turmeric) to increase the colour appearance. According to the Indian standards, the lead level in turmeric (whole and powdered) cannot be more than 10 μg/g. Recent report of World health organization tells that people lead exposure makes a man sick. More than 0.15 crores deaths occurred all over the world due to lead exposure in the year 2021. Mostly the reason of death was found problem in the 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 treating lead poisoning have also been covered.