Do McCormick spices have heavy metals in them?

January 13, 2026 •

4 min read

According to a 2021 investigation by Consumer Reports, certain spices from various brands, including McCormick, were found to contain significant levels of heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium. This discovery has led many consumers to question, "Do McCormick spices have heavy metals in them?" and what these findings mean for their health.

Quick Summary

An analysis of Consumer Reports' findings and subsequent class-action lawsuits reveals that some McCormick spices contained elevated levels of heavy metals, although the company maintains its products are safe.

Key Points

Detected, but Dismissed: While some McCormick spices were found to contain heavy metals in a 2021 Consumer Reports test, a lawsuit based on these findings was later dismissed, and McCormick maintains its products are safe.
Source of Contamination: Heavy metals can enter spices from contaminated soil and water during growth, or sometimes during processing and packaging.
Not a Brand-Specific Issue: Heavy metal contamination is a widespread environmental issue affecting many spice brands, not just McCormick. Independent testing is key.
Varying Risk Levels: The risk varies by spice type, with certain herbs like oregano and thyme showing more consistent heavy metal concerns across brands.
FDA Regulation: The FDA lacks specific maximum limits for heavy metals in most dry spices, relying largely on industry self-regulation and voluntary compliance.
Consumer Action: Consumers can mitigate risk by diversifying their brands, prioritizing fresh spices, and checking independent lab results before purchase.

The Origins of Heavy Metals in Spices

Heavy metals, such as lead, arsenic, and cadmium, are naturally present in the Earth's crust. They can find their way into food products, including spices, through various environmental factors. This contamination can happen in several ways:

Soil and Water Contamination: Spices grown in contaminated soil or irrigated with tainted water can absorb heavy metals. This is one of the most common routes of contamination, especially for spices like turmeric that are root-based or absorb from the environment.
Processing and Packaging: While less frequent, heavy metals can be introduced during the manufacturing process, from contaminated equipment, or even from the packaging itself.
Agricultural Practices: Some farming practices can contribute to higher heavy metal levels, and companies that don't enforce strict good agricultural practices (GAPs) risk higher contamination.

The Consumer Reports Investigation and its Aftermath

In November 2021, Consumer Reports (CR) published a significant investigation revealing that many popular herbs and spices, including several from McCormick, contained detectable levels of heavy metals. CR's testing examined 126 products from 38 brands, focusing on spices like basil, cumin, ginger, oregano, paprika, thyme, and turmeric.

Key Findings from the CR Report

Presence of Heavy Metals: The report found arsenic, cadmium, and lead in roughly one-third of the products tested.
McCormick Products Involved: Several McCormick spices were mentioned in the subsequent class-action lawsuits that referenced the CR report. This included ground basil, ground ginger, ground oregano, paprika, ground thyme, and ground turmeric.
No Single Predictor: CR noted that brand name, organic certification, or "packed in USA" labels were not reliable indicators of lower heavy metal levels.
Risk Level: While small, infrequent consumption is unlikely to cause harm, regular consumption of spices with higher heavy metal levels could pose a risk, especially to children.

McCormick's Response to the Allegations

Following the Consumer Reports publication and the lawsuits that followed, McCormick has issued multiple statements addressing product safety.

Company Statement: In September 2023, McCormick released a statement asserting that a lawsuit over heavy metals had been dismissed and that its products remain safe for consumption. The company emphasized its quality control and traceability measures, stating it prioritizes sourcing from reputable suppliers.
Quality and Traceability: McCormick claims to use industry-leading traceability capabilities and works with suppliers who adhere to Good Agricultural Practices to minimize risk. In a later 2024 response related to lead in cinnamon, McCormick stated it monitors environmental conditions that can affect heavy metal presence.

A Comparison of Spice Brands and Heavy Metal Levels

A deeper look into the Consumer Reports data reveals varying levels of heavy metals across brands and spice types. The following table provides a simplified comparison based on CR's 2021 findings for spices where McCormick was tested. The risk levels are based on CR's thresholds for concern.


Spice	McCormick Risk Level (CR 2021)	Other Brands with Lower Risk (CR 2021)	Comments
Ground Ginger	Some Concern	Simply Organic, 365 Whole Foods Market, Great Value (Walmart)	Many ginger brands had detectable levels of heavy metals.
Ground Oregano	Some Concern	Simply Organic	All oregano and thyme products tested had concerning levels.
Ground Thyme	Some Concern	Morton & Bassett	All thyme products showed concerning heavy metal levels.
Ground Cumin	No Concern	Morton & Bassett, Badia, Spice Islands	Cumin generally performed well across several brands.
Ground Paprika	Some Concern	Morton & Bassett, Simply Organic, Spice Islands	Organic options and mainstream brands showed variable levels.
Curry Powder	No Concern	Simply Organic, Great Value	McCormick curry powder tested safe in CR's analysis.
Garlic Powder	No Concern	Simply Organic, 365 Whole Foods Market	McCormick garlic powder was deemed low-risk.

How to Minimize Your Risk

While it's not possible to completely eliminate heavy metals from the environment, consumers can take steps to reduce their exposure from spices.

Diversify Your Spice Sources: Don't rely on a single brand for all your spices. Mixing brands can help reduce cumulative exposure from one source.
Prioritize Certain Spices: Pay closer attention to spices like oregano, thyme, and ginger, which have been more consistently linked with heavy metal concerns in recent studies. Consider fresher, whole versions when possible.
Look for Transparency: Support companies that are transparent about their testing processes and quality control measures. Some brands actively publish their test results or mention robust testing protocols.
Buy Newer Spices: Older spices may have a higher risk, especially if they have been exposed to light or air for prolonged periods, which can degrade certain compounds. Regularly refreshing your pantry can be a good habit for freshness and safety.
Research Specific Products: Before purchasing, check reputable sources like Consumer Reports for the latest findings on specific product lines and brands. The landscape can change as new tests are conducted.

The FDA and Regulation

The FDA currently lacks specific limits for heavy metals in most dry spices, a point of contention highlighted by consumer advocacy groups. This regulatory gap means that even well-known brands can legally sell products with elevated heavy metal levels. The situation emphasizes the importance of independent testing and consumer vigilance. Efforts are being made to establish clearer guidelines, but for now, the industry operates largely on voluntary compliance and internal standards.

Conclusion: Navigating Spice Safety

The answer to the question, "Do McCormick spices have heavy metals in them?" is complex. While certain McCormick products have shown detectable levels in past tests, the company maintains its products are safe and has dismissed lawsuits referencing older reports. The level of concern often depends on the specific spice and individual consumption habits. Heavy metals are an environmental issue affecting many brands, not just McCormick. By staying informed about independent test results, choosing wisely, and prioritizing transparency, consumers can make safer choices for their spice racks.

Actionable Insight: For immediate peace of mind, prioritize fresh, whole herbs over ground versions, and refer to up-to-date third-party testing when available to identify brands with consistent low-risk profiles, such as those that performed well in recent CR tests for specific spices.

Frequently Asked Questions

A 2021 investigation by Consumer Reports found detectable levels of heavy metals including lead, arsenic, and cadmium in certain herbs and spices from various brands, with some McCormick products mentioned in subsequent lawsuits that cited the report.

McCormick has publicly stated that its products are safe to consume and that they maintain high quality and safety measures, including leveraging sourcing and traceability capabilities. While some tests have shown detectable heavy metals, the company dismisses concerns stemming from the older reports.

A class-action lawsuit filed against McCormick alleging that some spices contained toxic heavy metals was later dismissed by a court. McCormick cited the dismissal in its statements regarding product safety.

Heavy metals can enter spices through contaminated soil and water where the plants are grown. Contamination can also occur during processing from equipment or packaging, though this is less common.

Not necessarily. The Consumer Reports investigation found that 'organic' certification or 'packed in USA' claims were not reliable predictors of lower heavy metal levels, as contamination primarily comes from environmental factors like soil.

Based on the 2021 Consumer Reports test, herbs like oregano and thyme were more consistently found to have heavy metals across various brands, including McCormick. This is likely due to their growth characteristics.

Consumers can reduce their exposure by diversifying the brands they buy, focusing on fresher options when possible, and staying informed about independent lab testing results for specific products. Replacing older spices can also help ensure freshness.