Still, some products contain enough heavy metals, even in the small amounts used in cooking, to raise a concern when used regularly. And there ways to limit your risk by choosing and using spices carefully.

Rogers, PhD, director of food safety and testing at CR. And none of the tested herbs and spices were contaminated with salmonella bacteria, which may cause foodborne illness.Ī single serving of any herb or spice CR tested is unlikely to cause harm, says James E. And in most others, we found at least one brand that fit into our No Concern category. In seven of the 15 types of herbs and spices tested, all the brands had heavy metal levels below our thresholds for concern. The good news? Many products performed well in the tests. In 31 products, levels of lead were so high that they exceeded the maximum amount anyone should have in a day, according to CR’s experts.Īlso troubling: There was no single predictor of which products contained higher levels of heavy metals-for example, brand name didn’t matter, and neither did ' organic' or 'packed in USA' claims. Most raised concern for adults, too.įor two herbs, thyme and oregano, all the products we tested had levels that CR experts say are concerning. Roughly one-third of the tested products, 40 in total, had high enough levels of arsenic, lead, and cadmium combined, on average, to pose a health concern for children when regularly consumed in typical serving sizes. Read more about how CR tested herbs and spices (PDF).

We looked at 126 individual products from national and private-label brands, such as Great Value (Walmart), La Flor, McCormick, Penzeys, Spice Islands, and Trader Joe’s. That’s according to Consumer Reports’ tests of 15 types of dried herbs and spices used in a variety of cuisines. But along with the flavor and memories, herbs and spices could add something less savory to your diet: potentially dangerous heavy metals. Yes, those seasonings really can add spice to our lives, filling our kitchens with tempting aromas and creating memories of people and places linked to special meals. A recipe may call for just a pinch or three of cumin, cayenne, and garlic powder, but what would your grandmother’s arroz con pollo be without them? And what about your secret Simon & Garfunkel fish rub-you know, the one with parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme? And Joey Davis, who grew up in San Diego, 'where Mexican food is on every corner,' and whose Jamaican wife 'puts habanero in everything, including cucumber salad,' says that in his home, 'you can’t imagine any dish without spices and herbs.'įor many of us, herbs and spices play a large role in our cooking and in our family’s lives. 'This is so flavorful, I use less salt in general,' she says. Erica Burger of Carmel, Ind., says she became 'hooked' on a 21-spice mixture-so much so that she now uses it in all sorts of dishes.

Jessica Clark, a mother of two from Lincoln, Neb., says she uses them so often that she buys in bulk and mixes her own blends. Open a drawer or cabinet in any kitchen in the U.S., and you’re likely to find several jars of dried herbs and spices.

Island thyme seasoning