High levels of lead found in cinnamon powder, spice blends of 12 brands in US: Report
New York: An analysis by Consumer Reports has revealed concerning levels of lead in a variety of cinnamon powders and multi-spice blends sold in the United States. The investigation, which tested 36 different products, found that 12 brands exceeded the lead safety threshold of 1 part per million (ppm) established by New York, the only state currently regulating heavy metals in spices in the U.S.
Consumer Reports, a non-profit organisation, identified high lead levels in several cinnamon powder and multi-spice products from 12 brands, including Paras, EGN, Mimi's Products, Bowl and Basket, Rani Brand, Zara Foods, Three Rivers, Yu Yee Brand, BaiLiFeng, Spicy King, Badia, and Deep.
The brand Paras exhibited the highest lead content in cinnamon powder at 3.52 ppm, followed by EGN at 2.91 ppm, Mimi’s Products ground cinnamon at 2.03 ppm, Bowl and Basket ground cinnamon at 1.82 ppm, Rani ground cinnamon at 1.39 ppm, Zara Foods cinnamon powder at 1.27 ppm, Three Rivers cinnamon stick powder at 1.26 ppm, Yu Yee Brand five spice powder at 1.25 ppm, BaiLiFeng five spice powder at 1.15 ppm, Spicy King five spices powder at 1.05 ppm, Badia cinnamon powder at 1.03 ppm, and Deep cinnamon powder at 1.02 ppm, as mentioned by Times of India on Wednesday.
James Rogers, the director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports, highlighted health risks linked to lead exposure, pointing out that even small amounts of the mentioned cinnamon products can accumulate in the body over time, leading to serious health concerns.
The report, which was published last month, advised consumers not to solely rely on labels such as "organic" or the source of the cinnamon, and recommended avoiding unfamiliar brands.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), lead exposure can lead to severe developmental issues in children and long-term health problems in adults, including increased blood pressure and kidney damage. Additionally, high levels of lead exposure in pregnant women can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, and low birth weight.
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Karnataka govt directs municipal corps to regulate, prohibit pigeon feeding
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has issued directions to municipal corporations across the state to regulate and prohibit feeding pigeons in public places, citing serious public health concerns.
Deputy Secretary to Government V Lakshmikanth has written to the Urban Development Department requesting it to issue directions to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to take immediate steps to implement the measures.
In an official note dated December 16 issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department and released to the media on Wednesday, the department said uncontrolled feeding of pigeons in public places has resulted in large congregations of birds, excessive droppings and serious health concerns, particularly respiratory illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other lung diseases.
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"The commissioner, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and the Commissioners and chief officers of other municipal corporations shall take necessary action to mitigate the causes of dangerous disease spread by pigeon and enforce specified guidelines in their respective jurisdiction," the note said.
According to the department, these include a prohibition on feeding pigeons or causing pigeons to be fed in areas where it may cause nuisance or pose a health hazard to the public. Pigeon feeding shall be permitted only in designated areas in a controlled manner, subject to certain conditions.
"The designated areas may be selected in consultation with stakeholders. The responsibility for upkeep of the designated areas and compliance to the directions shall be taken up by some charitable organisation or an NGO. The feeding in designated areas shall be permitted only for some limited hours in the day," it said.
The note further stated that authorised officers of local authorities shall issue on-the-spot warnings and may impose fines for violation of the order, or lodge complaints to prosecute offenders under Sections 271 (Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 272 (Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
It also directed local authorities to conduct public awareness campaigns, including the display of signboards, banners and digital messages, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, the content of the regulatory directions and penalties for violations, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.
