In the EU, legal limits for lead and cadmium in many spices and dried herbs are set in Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on contaminants. The limit depends on the spice group, for example seed spices, fruit spices, bark, root and rhizome spices, and herbs.
Arsenic and mercury are often tested too, and other markets set their own limits. Check the current text for your product and market, because limits in this area have been added and revised in recent years.
The four metals buyers test
- Lead: the most watched, both from soil and dust and from deliberate adulteration such as lead chromate in turmeric.
- Cadmium: taken up from soil, and higher in some crops and regions.
- Arsenic: often tested as total arsenic. Inorganic arsenic is the more toxic form.
- Mercury: usually low in spices, but on many buyers' standard panels.
Limits by market
- EU: lead and cadmium limits for named spice and herb categories under Regulation (EU) 2023/915. Check whether your spice and its form are covered.
- UK: limits under UK law, which started from the EU rules.
- US: there is no general federal limit for heavy metals in spices. The FDA acts on high findings case by case, and some US states have their own rules on certain products.
- Codex: has worked on and set limits for some contaminants in spices. Check whether one applies to your product.
- Customer limits: many food makers and supplement brands set their own, often stricter, limits.
Why spices carry heavy metals
Most heavy metals in spices come from soil, water and dust. Roots and rhizomes, such as turmeric and ginger, take up more from soil. Poor drying on bare ground adds dust. Grinding equipment can add traces of metal. The worst cases come from adulteration, where lead compounds are added to improve colour. For turmeric, see how to check turmeric for lead chromate adulteration.
Testing and your spec
Labs digest the sample in acid, usually with microwave digestion, then measure metals by ICP-MS. Some labs use atomic absorption for single metals. Results are in mg/kg. Ask for an accredited method and LOQs well below your limit, and state whether you want total or inorganic arsenic.
- Name each metal and the limit that applies in your market.
- Say whether limits are on the product as sold or on a dry-weight basis.
- Test the final lot, after grinding, for powders.
- For herbs and botanicals, see limits for lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury in herbs.
How we help
We add a heavy metals panel to your test plan where the spice or market calls for it, using ICP-MS at an NABL-accredited lab. For turmeric and chilli we also look at drying and grinding practice during the audit. Ask for a free sourcing review.