Children may suffer from lead poisoning if they consumed more of Indian spices, revealed a new study undertaken by American researchers.

Indian spices and ceremonial powders were examined by researchers from Harvard School of Public Health and it was found that half of the ingredients contained high lead levels which go beyond the levels allowed by the European Union and the US Foods and Drug Administration.

About 15 Indian specialty stores were visited by the team in the Boston area, who bought 71 cultural powders and 86 spices and food products. About 25% of the spices and 65% of the ceremonial powders contained more than 1 microgram of lead per gram of product.

Higher levels of lead can be found in the ingredients like Asafetida, kohl, henna, mustard seeds and tamarind candy with kumkum, which are an indispensable part of the Indian kitchen pantry. These spices contain as much as 67 percent of lead.

The risk of ingestion of lead increases by three times in the children who are below four years of age, according to the lead author, Dr Cristiane Lin.

He said, “Our message is to say, be aware of these products that may contain lead. From a pediatrician's perspective, it's good to push for screening of non-paint sources of lead”.