Health Dept. highlights spice recall

Dec. 06--BELMONT -- The Allegany County Department of Health has received a consumer Food Safety Alert from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets has named various spices which contain lead. These include:

--Mimi's Products Ground Cumin

--Golden Cock Brand Spice Powder

--Golden Cock (Five) Spice Powder

--Oriental Mascot Spice Powder

--Fook Brand (Five) Spice Powder

--Ying Feng Food Stuffs Cumin Powder

--El Chilar Ground Cumin (Also contains peanut allergen)

The contamination was discovered after routine sampling at retail stores by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets. Subsequent analysis by Food Laboratory personnel revealed the presence of excessive levels of lead in some containers of the above mentioned spices. The El Chilar Ground Cumin is listed as containing a peanut allergen.

Ingestion of lead can cause health issues in both children and adults. Lead and lead compounds have been used in a wide variety of products found in and around our environments, including spices, paint, ceramics, pipes and plumbing materials, solders, gasoline, batteries, ammunition, and cosmetics. Lead can affect almost every organ and system in your body. Children six years old and younger are most susceptible to the effects of lead.

Even low levels of lead in the blood of children can result in: behavior and learning problems, lower IQ, hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems, and/or anemia. Adults who are exposed to lead can suffer from cardiovascular effects, increased blood pressure and incidence of hypertension, decreased kidney function and reproductive problems (in both men and women). Elevated lead levels in pregnant women can cause serious effects to a developing fetus. The most important step parents, doctors, and others can take is to prevent lead exposure before it occurs.

If you have any of these spices in your home, throw them away. Do not eat or use them. If you have further questions about this recall or lead poisoning hazard recalls, please go to https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/recalls/

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