Lead, the silent poison hidden in food, how dangerous is it?

Lead mainly enters food from the environment. If lead is present in the soil, water or environment where crops are grown, then those vegetables, fruits or grains may also contain lead.

The food we eat every day may contain harmful substances such as lead. It cannot be seen with the eye or tasted. But if it accumulates in the body for a long time, its effects can be terrible, especially for children.

Lead mainly enters food from the environment. If lead is present in the soil, water or environment where crops are grown, then those vegetables, fruits or grains may also contain lead. Once upon a time, lead was widely used in paint, gasoline, water pipes, and even cooking utensils. Residues of these still remain in the soil and water of many places. Although the use of lead has been reduced in many countries, including the United States, it is still used in some domestic and foreign products. In addition, lead can also be mixed into food from some earthenware dishes.

According to experts, there is no safe level of lead. Even if it enters the body in small amounts, it can cause harm over time. That is why the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regularly tests the level of lead in food and takes action if necessary. If the level of lead in a food is found to be hazardous to health, then that product is stopped from being sold or marketed.

Lead is a very toxic element for the human body. Regardless of age or physical condition, anyone can face its harmful effects if exposed to lead. However, the health risks of consuming lead through food depend on several factors—the level of lead in the food, how long and how often the food is eaten, the age of the consumer, and whether there are other sources of lead entering the body. In addition, even if the body lacks beneficial nutrients, the harmful effects of lead can increase.\

Effects of Lead

The most serious effects of lead are seen when the human brain is in an active development stage. Exposure to excess lead during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood can severely damage a child's nervous system. This can lead to learning disabilities and behavioral problems. Experts say it can even lead to complications such as a lowered intelligence quotient (IQ).

Exposure to excess lead during pregnancy, infancy, and childhood can severely damage a child's nervous system. This can lead to learning disabilities and behavioral problems.

Very young children are most at risk for the harmful effects of lead. This is because their body size is small, their metabolism is fast, and their physical and mental growth is rapid. During this time, even small amounts of lead can have long-term effects on their health. On the other hand, prolonged exposure to lead can also pose serious health risks for adults. Studies have shown that long-term lead exposure can reduce kidney function, increase the risk of high blood pressure, and negatively affect memory and thinking.

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Lead in food and spices

The risk of lead in some foods and spices is relatively high. In the United States, it is legally prohibited to intentionally add lead to any food for sale. However, tests have shown that lead has been found in some foods and spices.
When buying spices, it is better to buy spices sold in separate packages rather than buying loose or bulk bean spices. In addition, it is safer to use spices purchased in the United States instead of spices brought from other countries. The foods and spices that have been found to contain relatively high levels of lead are—

Imported candy
Coriander
Turmeric
Chili powder
Curry powder
Cloves
Whole dried chilies
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating, so that the lead-containing dust accumulated on the food is cleaned.
Precautions in using food

Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating, so that the lead-containing dust accumulated on the food is cleaned.
Discard the outer leaves of vegetables.
Use glass, stainless steel, hard plastic, or lead-free ceramic containers for storing food.
Some older, handmade, or imported ceramic containers may have lead in their glazes. Do not use these containers or lead-based crystal to store food.
Do not grow vegetables near walls, garages, fences, or structures with peeling paint.
Lead is a silent killer that slowly damages the body. Therefore, awareness is important. Be extra careful with children's food in particular. Awareness is the best defense against lead.

Source: US Food and Drug Administration and Minnesota Department of Health