Sixteen Percent Of Imported Hot Sauces Exceed Safe Levels Of Lead Content

Researchers at the University of Las Vegas who analyzed 25 bottles of hot sauce imported from Mexico and South America found that four brands – 16 percent – exceed 0.1 parts-per-million (ppm) lead content, which is the current standard set by the FDA for unsafe levels of lead in candy. The brands were all from Mexico, but from different manufacturers. Hot sauce as a regular part of a child’s diet, especially in Hispanic cultures, could contribute to unsafe levels of lead exposure. The researchers called for more rigorous screening of hot sauces imported from Mexico, as well as an appropriate FDA standard for dangerous lead levels in hot sauce.