Archer Farms Ground Turmeric is being recalled after it was discovered that they contained elevated levels of lead. It was sold in Target stores in glass bottles of 74g.
The Archer Farms Ground Turmeric was distributed nationwide to Target retail stores located in the following states from June 2009 to February 2010: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA and WI.
The lot numbers in this recall are 1740901A, Best By 6/23/2011; 2180902A, Best By 8/6/11; 2780906A, Best By 10/5/2011; 2920903A, Best By 10/19/11; 3060903A, Best By 11/2/2011; 0071003A, Best By1/7/2012. The lot numbers and Best By dates can be found on the bottom of the bottles.
If you have a bottle of the affected turmeric, you should return it to the store of purchase. If you have any questions, contact B&M, Inc. at 1-877-321-5852.
Lead Poisoning
Too much lead in the body can cause delayed physical development in children, delayed mental development and learning disabilities. Pregnant women, babies and children should avoid exposure to lead.
Sources of exposure include contaminated water (from lead piping), contaminated food, soil and from lead-based paints. A house that is in a poor state of decoration may be a potential cause of lead poisoning. If the paint is in good condition, it should be left on.
Lead exposure may also come from contaminated airborne dust that a person breathes in.
Some hobbies such as stained glass window making result in lead exposure.
Reducing Lead Exposure
• Don’t remove lead paint without a professional, especially not if you are pregnant or have children around.
• If your paint work is in good condition, it’s safer to leave it on.
• Don’t partake in hobbies involving lead if you intend to become pregnant or have children.
• Clean floors and window ledges with dishwasher cleaner (due to their high level of phosphate they will remove lead, whereas an ordinary cleaner won’t).
• Wash your children’s toys in soapy water regularly.
• Wash your hands and your children’s hands regularly.
• Vacuum clean every day to keep dust to a minimum.
• Make sure you have an optimal diet containing plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts (if not allergic), grains and healthy oils. Diets rich in calcium and iron can help your body offset the effects of lead.
Sources: Food and Drug Administration Press Release, 15th April 2011.
Environmental Protection Agency: an Introduction to Indoor Air Quality - http://www.epa.gov/iaq/lead.html
Joanna is a freelance health writer for The Mother magazine and Suite 101 with a column on infertility, http://infertility.suite101.com/. She is author of the book, 'Breast Milk: A Natural Immunisation,' and co-author of an educational resource on disabled parenting, in addition to running a charity for people damaged by vaccines or medical mistakes.