Consumer Advocates Raise Alarm Over Lead and Arsenic in Vinegar

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Vinegar and vinegar reduction products may contain high levels of arsenic and lead, a pair of advocacy groups warn in a letter urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action.  

Empire State Consumer Project and Food & Water Watch say in a May 24 letter to the regulator that the public, particularly pregnant people and children, need to be warned of the “alarmingly high lead and arsenic levels” the groups found in numerous products sold throughout the US. The groups want the FDA to require lead and arsenic warning labels on vinegar and vinegar reduction products.  

The groups say they tested 24 vinegar and vinegar reduction products that come from major brands. More than half of the products tested contained arsenic or lead and seven of those tested positive for both, says the groups’ letter to the FDA.  

The letter notes that nearly all of the products that tested positive for arsenic or lead were balsamic varieties and all were imports from Italy, Greece, or Spain.  

The consumer advocacy groups also point to testing done in California on other vinegar products that revealed alarmingly high levels of arsenic and lead. The California Attorney General has sent at least 24 warning letters to companies that sell products with high levels of the toxic substances. 

While the levels revealed by the groups’ testing were “very high” for both lead and arsenic based on regulatory standards, there is no safe level of exposure for either toxin, notes the letter to the FDA.

“Lead and arsenic both pose distinct and serious health risks, particularly for pregnant women,” says the Food and Water Watch website, which notes that arsenic exposure has been linked to increased risk of miscarriage and infant brain damage, as well as dangers to the elderly, African Americans, and others with chronic illnesses.  

Lead has been linked to brain and kidney problems in babies, as well as learning and behavioral problems, notes the letter. 

The consumer advocates want the FDA to take action immediately.  

“We’re asking them to put labels on the products and also on the shelves, but also to do their own testing to find out how pervasive this issue is with more brands and higher quantities and then to set limits for what should be allow[ed] on these products that are imported,” Carol Chittenden, director of the Empire State Consumer Project told a local NPR station.  

In a statement, the FDA said it is reviewing the information sent by the advocacy groups.  The agency recently had to contend with a congressional report revealing high levels of lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals in popular baby foods. 

Are you concerned about lead or arsenic in your vinegar? Tell us about your experience in the comment section below. 

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