Where’s the lead in your turmeric coming from? Study finds farms aren’t the source but processing

4 min readNew DelhiUpdated: Jul 30, 2026 03:21 PM IST Researchers have called for stronger monitoring, improved supply chain traceability and stricter enforcement to prevent contaminated turmeric from reaching consumers. (File photo)Turmeric, a staple in Indian kitchens and traditional medicine, has increasingly come under scrutiny after multiple studies detected alarming levels of lead in commercially sold turmeric powder. However, a new study by environmental research organisation Toxics Link offers reassuring news for farmers while raising fresh concerns about food processing and regulatory oversight. The study found that raw turmeric collected directly from farms across six Indian states contained lead levels well within India’s prescribed safety limits (below the Food Safety and Stand