(a) whether as per a foreign study/report, various Indian spices have been found to be containing high lead content, potentially harmful for children;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any independent study in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)
(a) Yes, Madam. A report appeared in the Pediatrics Journal (2010) which indicated the
same.
(b) Researchers from Childrens’ Hospital Boston reported that in one case a 1 year old child had elevated levels of lead, presumably from lead contaminated Indian spices and said that the sample was small and findings need to be replicated. The reported information is from the Journal Pediatrics [Lin et all (2010) 125(4): 828-835].
(c) Indian Institute of Spices Research, Kozhikode under ICAR or Spices Board has not conducted any study in this regard.
(d) Not applicable.