Spinach is widely considered to be a superfood. It’s packed with folate, omega-3s, lutein, iron, and more. Thus, it’s little surprise that health experts around the globe extoll the benefits of this dark, leafy green vegetable. However, a recent inspection of nearly 175 samples of spinach pulled from various retailers has uncovered a danger often lurking in this healthy superstar: the heavy metal cadmium.
A team from the nonprofit organization As You Sow uncovered the issue over the course of a three-year testing period and has just released their findings. Their experts tested spinach sold by major companies including Target, Trader Joe’s, Safeway, and others, and found cadmium present in dangerous levels in many spinach products.
While cadmium serves many useful purposes—from its role in batteries to plastic stabilization to the production of nuclear power—it’s also a known health hazard when ingested by human beings and is listed as such under California Proposition 65. The California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) states that cadmium can, among other issues, cause “development toxicity” (hampering proper neurological development of children), “male reproductive toxicity,” cancer, and other maladies as well.
Damn, Popeye isn’t going to be very happy!
(snicker snicker)