Lead in balsamic vinegar!

[pregnant@40]

 I just ate about a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar or more soaked on bread, and at the end of the meal, read the warning on the back of the bottle: "this product contains a chemical known by the state of California to harm a fetus" (worded along those lines). I find it concerning, and so search the internet for any info about the alluded to chemical. I assumed it was referring to the sulfites in the wine, but then discover that balsamic vinegars have LEAD of all things. I'm horrified that I consumed lead. And to make it worse, the amount of lead in a bottle of vinegar (or even wine) is an unknown variable, since they are not individually tested!!

I'm horrified.

Does anyone have any info on this issue? Are there other foods to avoid due to hidden lead? What about pickles, and other foods w/ vinegar? Or does it just apply to red wine vinegars?

Edited by pregnant@40 - 11/12/10 at 7:19pm

[nova22]

Wha.....?! That's all I like on my salad...I have never heard that! How sad if true :(

[starbyfar7]

i scour the labels on our foods/household products before i buy them and i've never seen this. i LOVE balsamic vinegar and any type of vinegar for that matter :(

i googled it, and here's what i found:

" It appears that there is some controversy about where the lead comes from that is found in vinegars (some red wine vinegars appear to have lead as well). Some say that is from lead that is naturally absorbed into the grapes from the soil. There is some feeling that the lead might happen during the manufacturing process. Neither of these theories have been proven. It does not appear that it has to do with the glass bottles. Most balsamic and red wine vinegars have lead levels equal to or less than 34 parts per million. An average person would need to consume 1 to 2 cups of balsamic or red wine vinegar per day to reach the Proposition 65 lead level minimum threshold, which includes a 1000-fold safety margin."

Id like to do more research, but in the meantime.. no more red/balsamic for me.. especially while i'm carrying this baby!

[pregnant@40]

http://www.naturalnews.com/027683_balsamic_vinegar_lead.html

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/ehs/news/lead-in-vinegar

http://tangergreen.com/proposition-65-lead-in-red-wine-and-balsamic-vinegar/

[WifeofAnt]

I doubt you've harmed your baby.  If lead is naturally occurring at high enough doses (which it doesn't seem like it is) then there should be developmental issues in places where its part of the normal diet (like Italy).  There are very small amounts of harmful things in many of the things we eat/drink on a daily basis.  Even tap water is allowed to have a certain lead content before the government will step in.
 

Originally Posted by starbyfar7 

Most balsamic and red wine vinegars have lead levels equal to or less than 34 parts per million. An average person would need to consume 1 to 2 cups of balsamic or red wine vinegar per day to reach the Proposition 65 lead level minimum threshold, which includes a 1000-fold safety margin.

Having to drink a cup a day?  That sounds pretty safe to me but since its your body and your baby its your call.