Spice Safety Fact Sheet
This document covers 7 Things to Know: Benefits & Safety of Spices and includes several facts on topics such as health benefits, diet, heavy metals, and food safety.
01/05/2023 at 5:16 am
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Related Resources
Presentation: An Extended Study on the Fractionation and Characterization of Lead-Enriched Lichens on Cassia Tree Bark
At the 2026 Annual Meeting, Lien Hoang Thi of the Vietnam Pepper & Spice Association (VPSA) presented an update on ongoing research in Vietnam examining sources of lead in cassia. The research has progressed from evaluating soil lead levels to assessing lead concentrations within and on cassia bark, with findings indicating that contamination is primarily a surface issue. These results suggest lead can be effectively managed through targeted mitigation strategies, such as lichen removal prior to processing. Next steps include evaluating lichen removal methods, assessing seasonal variation in lead accumulation, identifying potential airborne sources of lead, and informing enhanced pre-processing standards and best practices.
ASTA Statement on FDA Cinnamon Recall
The following statement is attributable to Laura Shumow, executive director of the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA):
