Protecting families from contaminated food and water
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Protecting families from contaminated food and water
Posted in Food Safety,Our Blog on June 24, 2026
How does lead get into food? It seems like lead recalls are in the headlines more and more. How does this happen? Is it human error? Environmental? Today we take a look at what the FDA has to say about this.
Lead is present in many of the environments in which food is grown, raised and processed.
With ground cinnamon, for example, lead could be in contaminated soil where the cinnamon trees are growing, or if the spice was processed with machinery containing lead. Protein powder is similar – many of the products are plant based, so the lead could have come from tainted soil, or it could enter through the machines and metals used at the manufacturing plant. Lead can also be added to foods as a coloring agent or to increase their weight for sale.
For example, lead has entered the environment from the past widespread use of lead in paint, gasoline, and plumbing materials, as well as many other products. While many commercial and industrial uses of lead have been phased out, there are still some products used or made in the U.S. that contain lead, and it is still used in products made in other countries.
Because there is no known safe level of exposure to lead, the FDA monitors and regulates levels of lead in foods. While it is not possible to completely prevent lead from entering the food supply, for foods that contain lead, it may be possible to reduce the levels through changes to agricultural or manufacturing practices. By law, food manufacturers have a responsibility to significantly minimize or prevent chemical hazards when needed.
To determine if the level of lead in a food is a potential health concern, the FDA considers the toxicity of lead and potential exposure based on the level of lead measured in the food and estimated consumption. We also may consider the risks specific to vulnerable subpopulations (e.g., very young children). If the agency finds that the level of lead causes the food to be unsafe, we will take regulatory action. This may include working with the manufacturer to resolve the issue, and as necessary, taking steps to prevent the product from entering, or remaining in, the U.S. market.
Among the FDA’s top priorities is maintaining access to foods that are sources of nutrients while limiting consumer exposure to contaminants. Having adequate nutrition is vital to growth and development for babies and children and helps promote health and prevent disease throughout our lifespan. The FDA collaborates with state and federal partners, industry, and other stakeholders to identify and facilitate the implementation of sustainable and effective strategies for growing, sourcing, processing, and manufacturing foods that contain lower levels of environmental contaminants, such as lead, while maintaining their nutritional quality and accessibility.
Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status. The potential for adverse health effects from consuming food contaminated with lead vary depending on the level of lead in the food; age of the consumer; length, amount, and frequency of exposure to lead in the food; and other exposures to different sources of lead and to beneficial nutrients.
The most serious effects of lead exposure can occur during times of active brain development. High levels of exposure to lead in utero, infancy, and early childhood can lead to neurological effects such as learning disabilities, behavior difficulties, and lowered IQ. The very young are particularly vulnerable to the potential harmful effects from lead exposure because of their smaller body sizes and rapid metabolism and growth. For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects.
At the end of the day we just have to remain vigilant in watching news articles and television reports to make sure that we are staying on top of recalls. Here at Make Food Safe we update daily about recalls and aim to protect our readers the best we can.