Indian women may consider it sacred to adorn 'Sindoor' (vermilion) on their foreheads, but the United States government has warned against using a particular brand of this toxic 'red powder' due to high lead content.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that consumers should not use 'Swad' brand sindoor imported by Illinois-based Raja Foods because it has high levels of lead.
"Although the product was not intended to be sold for food use, its labelling is confusing and implies that it may be used as food," FDA said in a statement issued on December 15.
"The Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed two cases of lead poisoning in consumers who used the product as an ingredient in home-cooked meals," it added.
"Other uses of the product, including as a cosmetic, can also be dangerous due to the high lead levels," it noted.
The warning was followed by Raja Foods recalling 280 packages of the product that were distributed to grocery stores specialising in Indian foods across the US.
The company said it was recalling the product as it contained high levels of lead, which is toxic if ingested by children and can damage the central nervous system. The product is a powder used in India for religious purposes, intended to be placed on the skin or hair, it added.
The US regulator said the front label of the packages has statements like "swad best taste in town Sindoor" and "for recipe ideas visit our website" -- which indicate towards a possible use as a food.
The company also sells some ready-to-serve and ready-to- eat foods products, such as naans, rotis, paranthas, samosas and pulavs under the "Swad" brand. However, the warning has been issued against the sindoor brand only.
"Lead can be toxic to all humans but due to the risks it poses to a developing nervous system, women of childbearing age, pregnant women and their unborn children, and young children should be especially cautious and limit their exposure to lead," FDA said.
"Symptoms of lead toxicity include: stomach aches, colic, nausea, vomiting, abnormal irritability, and insomnia. Permanent damage to the central nervous system from lead exposure can result in learning difficulties in schoolchildren as well as cause other long-term health problems such as kidney disease. Anyone who has consumed this product should consult his or her health care provider immediately," the warning said.
FDA said at least 280 packages of sindoor were distributed to grocery stores that specialise in foods from India in Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The 'Sindoor' recall follows US-based toymaker Mattel recalling a large number of toys made in China due to high lead content.
