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Six brands of turmeric added to recall for excessive lead
By News Desk | August 8, 2016

A New Jersey company has expanded its recall of ground turmeric to include additional brands distributed nationwide. Excessive lead, which is particularly dangerous for pregnant women, infants and children, has been confirmed in the spice.

Gel Spice Inc. of Bayonne, NJ, initially recalled its Fresh Finds branded ground turmeric the last week of July.

“Routine sampling by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ food inspectors and subsequent more recalled tumericanalysis of the product by the New York State Food Laboratory revealed the elevated level of lead,” according to the company’s July 28 recall notice on the Food and Drug Administration’s website.

In its expanded recall notice, Gel Spice added six brands of ground turmeric.

“The products were distributed by various retailers throughout the United States,” according to the new notice. “Sampling and testing of another product, produced from the same bulk turmeric, revealed the elevated level of lead.”

The additional turmeric being recalled by Gel Spice Inc. can be identified by the label information in the table below.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled ground turmeric should discard the product, according to Gel Spice Inc. Consumers with questions about the recalled product may call 201-564-0435.

Lead can accumulate in the body over time. Too much can cause health problems, including delayed mental and physical development and learning deficiencies, Gel Spice warned in its recall notices. Pregnant women, infants and young children especially should avoid exposure to lead. People concerned about blood lead levels should contact their physician or health clinic to ask about testing.

The Fresh Finds brand ground turmeric powder recalled by Gel Spice Inc. is packaged in 3.75-ounce jars and has a UPC number of 81026-01230. The recalled product also has the codes of “B/B 03/08/19” or “B/B 05/18/19” on the neck of the jars. The recalled spice was distributed to Big Lots stores nationwide.