What is the best lead free cassava flour?

November 22, 2025 •

3 min read

In May 2025, Consumer Reports revealed that over two-thirds of tested cassava products contained lead exceeding daily intake levels, in some cases by over 2,000%. This raises the question of what is the best lead free cassava flour.

Quick Summary

Recent testing reveals lead contamination in many cassava flour brands. Consumers are seeking safer alternatives. The report details test results and steps to reduce exposure. No lead-free option exists. Limit consumption.

Key Points

Avoid High-Lead Brands: Recent Consumer Reports testing found brands like Bob's Red Mill, Otto's Naturals, Quay Naturals, and Terrasoul Superfoods had extremely high lead levels and should be avoided.
No Truly 'Lead-Free' Cassava Option: Even the lowest-lead cassava flour (Tonomi) still significantly exceeded safety thresholds, suggesting cautious and limited consumption is necessary.
Diversify Your Diet: To minimize exposure, vary your gluten-free flour choices with other options like buckwheat, millet, and sorghum, which have shown lower heavy metal levels.
Concentration during Processing: Lead is a concern because cassava, as a root vegetable, absorbs heavy metals from the soil, and the flour-making process can concentrate these toxins.
Prioritize Third-Party Testing: Look for independent verification of lead levels, as voluntary certifications or standard organic labeling may not guarantee a product is safe from heavy metals.
Consider Alternative Products: Tapioca starch, also from cassava, is processed differently and generally contains lower lead levels than whole root cassava flour.

Understanding the Lead Contamination Issue

Cassava flour, derived from the cassava root, is a popular gluten-free option. However, recent testing by Consumer Reports identified lead contamination in numerous cassava products, including flour. Lead is a neurotoxin that can accumulate in the body, posing health risks, particularly for children and pregnant individuals.

Lead contamination in cassava can occur because the plant absorbs heavy metals from the soil. Soil pollution from industrial activities, old leaded gasoline, and pesticides can leave lead that remains for years. Processing the whole cassava root into flour can further concentrate these heavy metals.

Brands with High Lead Levels to Avoid

Consumer Reports identified several cassava flour brands with concerningly high lead levels.

Cassava flour brands with the highest lead levels, recommended for avoidance:

Bob's Red Mill Cassava Flour
Otto's Naturals Organic Multi-Purpose Cassava Flour
Quay Naturals Premium Cassava Flour
Terrasoul Superfoods Cassava Flour

Other cassava products with high lead levels in testing:

Jovial Organic Grain Free Cassava Spaghetti
Thrive Market Cassava Chips Sea Salt (discontinued)

Is There a 'Best' Lead-Free Option?

Consumer Reports' testing indicated that even the cassava flour product with the lowest lead level, Tonomi Cassava Flour, contained 215% of the recommended daily intake per serving. They advised limiting consumption of this flour to no more than three servings per week. This suggests that a completely 'lead-free' cassava flour may not be readily available and that limiting overall cassava flour intake is a cautious approach. Differences in lead levels between products may be due to varying sourcing and processing methods.

Comparison of Cassava Products and Alternatives


Product Type	Example Brands Tested	Lead Level Findings	Safety Recommendation
High-Lead Cassava Flour	Bob's Red Mill, Otto's Naturals	Very high; exceeded acceptable daily limits by thousands of percent	Avoid completely
Lower-Lead Cassava Flour	Tonomi Cassava Flour	Lowest tested, but still exceeded daily limit	Limit to 3 servings per week
Cassava-Derived Ingredients	Tapioca starch, cassava syrup	Generally lower lead levels than flour	Varies by product; check for recent test data.
Cassava Alternatives	Buckwheat, Corn, Millet, Sorghum	Tested lower in lead and other heavy metals in past CR tests	Safe alternatives to vary diet

Safer Gluten-Free Flour Alternatives

To avoid potential heavy metal exposure from cassava, consider these gluten-free flour alternatives, which have generally shown lower contamination levels. Incorporating a variety of foods is also a good strategy to reduce exposure risk from any single source.

Buckwheat flour: A nutritious gluten-free option.
Corn flour/meal: A common and versatile gluten-free ingredient.
Millet flour: Nutrient-rich and has shown lower heavy metal levels in previous tests.
Sorghum flour: Another mild-flavored gluten-free choice with indications of lower contaminant levels.

Steps Consumers Can Take

Look for independent test data: Refer to reports from organizations like Consumer Reports to understand actual lead levels.
Eat a varied diet: Avoid relying heavily on one food to minimize exposure risk.
Choose tapioca starch: This cassava-derived ingredient often has lower lead levels than whole root cassava flour due to processing differences.
Use fresh cassava carefully: When using fresh cassava, thorough peeling and cleaning can help, as lead is often concentrated in the outer layers.

Conclusion: Navigating Cassava Flour Safely

Recent testing has highlighted significant lead contamination in many cassava flour products. Finding a definitively 'best lead free cassava flour' is challenging, as even the lowest-tested option contained concerning lead levels. The most prudent approach is to reduce overall consumption of cassava flour, particularly for vulnerable groups, and explore other gluten-free alternatives like buckwheat, millet, and sorghum. Staying informed about current product testing is crucial for making healthy food choices. For detailed test results, consult the Consumer Reports investigation: Cassava Flour, Chips, Bread, and More Contain High Levels of Lead - Consumer Reports.

Disclaimer: Product testing results and availability can change. This information is based on tests conducted in late 2024 and early 2025. Consumers should seek the latest data from reliable sources for current product safety information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the body over time, causing potential health problems, particularly for children and pregnant individuals. Frequent, low-level exposure is a significant health risk.

Cassava is a root vegetable that absorbs minerals and contaminants, including lead, from the soil. The soil can be polluted by industrial waste, old pesticides, or leaded gasoline residue. The process of grinding the whole root into flour concentrates any lead present.

Not necessarily. Recent testing showed some organic cassava flour brands, like Otto's Naturals Organic, had very high lead levels. 'Organic' refers to farming practices, not the absence of heavy metals absorbed from polluted soil.

Generally, yes. Tapioca starch (often called tapioca flour) is extracted differently from the cassava root, involving washing and pulping. This process tends to result in lower lead concentrations compared to whole-root cassava flour.

Safer gluten-free alternatives with lower heavy metal concerns include buckwheat flour, corn flour, millet flour, and sorghum flour. Varying your diet with these options can help reduce overall exposure.

To reduce risk, avoid the brands identified with high lead levels, limit consumption of cassava products, use fresh peeled and cleaned cassava instead of flour when possible, and diversify your diet with other flours.

Independent consumer organizations like Consumer Reports have conducted recent tests and published their findings. Always refer to authoritative, up-to-date sources for the most current information on specific product safety.