ASTA Guidance Levels for Heavy Metals in Spices
ASTA's Guidance Levels for Heavy Metals in Spices outline ASTA's recommended guidance levels for lead in spices and background information on the regulation of heavy metals in spices in the U.S. and abroad, lead in spices, and other resources. This document was revised in 2025 to summarize new developments on the federal and state levels related to the enforcement of heavy metals in spices, as well as to provide insight into the consideration of heavy metals within hazard analyses.
06/03/2025 at 5:16 am
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Related Resources
Memo to ASTA Membership on Consumer Reports Testing Methodology
This memo, issued November 17, 2021, and updated December 1, 2021, provides information for the ASTA membership regarding a Consumer Reports article published on November 9, 2021, titled "Your Herbs and Spices Might Contain Arsenic, Cadmium, and Lead."
Technical Report - An Extended Study on the Fractionation and Characterization of Lead-Enriched Lichens on Cassia Tree Bark
In 2026, ASTA collaborated with academic and industry partners in Vietnam to conduct a follow-up study expanding upon 2025 research investigating the potential role of lichen and moss present on the outermost bark layer of Vietnamese cassia in relation to heavy metal contamination. By comparing lead concentrations in bark, underlying wood, and surface-growing lichen, the study confirmed that lichen function as bioaccumulators, effectively capturing airborne dust and heavy metal particulates from the surrounding environment. These findings indicate that lead contamination is primarily a surface issue, suggesting that the issue is manageable through targeted mitigation strategies, including lichen removal prior to cassia processing. As next steps, researchers will evaluate technical approaches for lichen removal, assess seasonal variability in lead accumulation, identify potential sources of airborne lead, and support the development of enhanced pre-processing standards and best practices.
