Danger in Cassava Products: Understanding Lead Contamination in Gluten-Free Alternatives

M. DuBose
25 minutes ago
4 min read

Cassava-based products, once hailed as a great gluten-free alternative, are now under scrutiny due to shocking levels of lead contamination.

Food Safety issue with lead in Cassava Products.

Consumer Reports recently tested 27 cassava-based food products, and more than two-thirds of them contained lead levels exceeding the acceptable daily intake threshold. Some products had lead levels over 2,000 percent higher than recommended, raising serious concerns about consumer health and food safety.

Cassava flour is increasingly used in various health-focused diets, including paleo and gluten-free lifestyles. However, this latest study raises the alarm about the potential long-term health effects of repeated exposure to lead through Cassava-based foods.

Why Is Lead in Cassava Foods a Problem?

Lead is a highly toxic heavy metal found naturally in soil. However, industrial pollution, gasoline residues, and pesticides can elevate lead levels in farmland, increasing contamination in crops grown in affected areas. Since cassava is a root vegetable, it absorbs lead directly from soil, making contamination more likely. Additional processing methods may further increase lead concentration, as seen in cassava flour and chips.

While lead exposure might not cause immediate health effects, long-term ingestion can be dangerous—especially for young children, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems. According to health experts, even minimal lead exposure over time can:

Impair brain development in children
Increase the risk of learning disabilities and behavioral problems
Suppress immune system function
Raise blood pressure and increase the likelihood of kidney damage in adults

Several studies have linked cassava consumption to elevated lead levels in populations where cassava is a dietary staple. In Ghana, for instance, researchers found that cassava grown in highly contaminated soil contributed significantly to lead exposure among local residents.

Consumer Reports' Findings: Which Cassava Products Pose the Highest Risk?

Consumer Reports conducted a thorough investigation into cassava-based products, testing flours, chips, crackers, pastas, breads, and snack foods. Their tests revealed staggering lead levels in several popular brands. Below are some of the products of concern:

Products to Avoid (Lead levels far exceeding safety limits):

Bob's Red Mill Cassava Flour – 2,343% above the daily lead exposure threshold
Otto's Naturals Organic Multi-Purpose Cassava Flour – 2,323% above the threshold
Quay Naturals Premium Cassava Flour – 1,781% above the threshold
365 Whole Foods Market Sea Salt Cassava Tostones Chips – 1,723% above the threshold
Jovial Organic Grain-Free Cassava Spaghetti – 1,201% above the threshold
Terrasoul Superfoods Cassava Flour – 1,054% above the threshold
Thrive Market Cassava Chips – 704% above the threshold

Products Okay to Eat Occasionally (Limited consumption advised):

Artisan Tropic Cassava Strips – Limit to one serving per week
Carrington Farms Organic Cassava Flour – Limit to one serving per week
Pamela's Organic Cassava Flour – Limit to 1½ servings per week
Otto's Naturals Grain-Free Ultimate Cookie Mix – Limit to 1½ servings per week
Barnana Organic Cassava Chips – Limit to two servings per week
Tonomi Cassava Flour – Limit to three servings per week

Better Choices (Safer to eat regularly):

Bettergoods Finely Ground Cassava Flour Tortilla Chips – Safe for daily consumption
Siete Grain-Free Cookies Mexican Wedding – Safe for daily consumption
Goya Yuca Cassava Chips – Safe for up to 10 servings per day
Lovebird Organic Grain-Free Cereal – Safe for three servings per day

These findings highlight how significant lead contamination varies across brands and product types. Cassava flour appears to pose the greatest risk, while products containing tapioca starch (a cassava derivative) tend to have lower lead levels.

Cassava Companies Respond: What are Manufacturers Saying?

Consumer Reports reached out to 18 manufacturers whose products exceeded the lead exposure threshold, asking for their response. Some brands acknowledged the presence of lead, stating that it is a naturally occurring element in soil. Others disclosed that they conduct routine heavy metal testing or have recently reformulated their products to reduce Cassava content. For example:

MadeGood acknowledged high lead levels in their Star Puffed Crackers and has since eliminated cassava entirely from the recipe.
Thrive Market discontinued its cassava chips following internal heavy metal audits.
LesserEvil phased out cassava ingredients from its snack portfolio due to growing consumer concerns.
Bob’s Red Mill and Pamela’s carry California Proposition 65 warning labels on their cassava flours, informing consumers about potential lead risks.

While some brands are taking steps to reduce lead contamination, others maintain that lead is unavoidable due to agricultural and environmental factors.

What Can Consumers Do?

Given the alarming levels of lead in cassava-based foods, here are practical steps to protect your health:

Limit consumption of high-lead cassava products, especially for children and pregnant individuals.
Opt for safer alternatives such as buckwheat, millet, sorghum, and corn for gluten-free diets.
Check for warning labels—some cassava products carry California Prop 65 warnings indicating high lead content.
Support food safety petitions urging manufacturers to improve their sourcing and processing methods.
Vary your diet—rotating different grains reduces heavy metal exposure while ensuring balanced nutrition.

Additionally, if you consume fresh cassava, research suggests that carefully peeling and washing the root before cooking may help lower lead content.

The Bigger Issue: Heavy Metal Contamination in Everyday Foods

Cassava is not the only food with heavy metal risks. Consumer Reports has previously identified dangerous levels of lead, arsenic, and cadmium in baby food, herbs, spices, and chocolate. The findings from cassava-based products add to growing concerns about food safety standards and regulatory oversight.

With repeated exposure, even trace amounts of heavy metals can accumulate in the body, affecting long-term health. The responsibility lies not just with consumers, but with manufacturers and regulators, who must prioritize stricter safety measures.

Cassava products offer unique gluten-free benefits, but recent studies challenge their safety due to high lead levels. While some brands offer safer alternatives, others contain lead levels that far exceed health recommendations. Until companies take stronger action to reduce contamination, consumers must make informed choices—limiting cassava intake, checking warning labels, and choosing brands with lower lead exposure risks.