I'm a huge fan of olive oil + balsamic vinegar + breads. After having some last night at Hidden it wasn't enough, so I went to the supermarket to get myself some more. I was thinking: "This time I can have it at home any time I want. yummmm..." And I almost drooled :)~
But as I was choosing among many different bottles of balsamic vinegar, I noticed the Proposition 65 label on some of the bottles: "This product contains lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm."
Balsamic vinegar is made from the grapes which have high sugar content, known as "must" (or mosto in italian). The lead gets into the grapes from soil since lead is a natural element that comes from earth . Some say that balsamic vinegar contains a very low amount of lead that even if you have the whole bottle it still wouldn't affect you. Some say the opposite thing. I'm only wondering about two things:
1) If lead gets into the grapes from soil, that means it'd get into many other fruits besides just grapes (??)
2) If there is lead in balsamic vinegar, then why some bottles have the Proposition 65 label on them and some don't? Shouldn't the gov label every bottle regardless the amount of lead? because after all... different amount affects each person differently. For instance, it takes me 1 shot to glow (yes i'm proud of my asian glow lol), 2 shots to see #9 upside down, and about 3 shots to have a good night sleep, while it takes others many shots before they can get drunk. Ok, bad example, but you got the gist.
Anywho, I'm so sad to learn that there's lead in balsamic vinegar. I love balsamic vinegar!
Relax and search me
Friday, March 14, 2008
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4 comments:
Hey Ivy, it is true that a number of vegetable crops are capable to taking on many chemicals and metallic elements, some of which are harmless and some like lead can be problematic, usually the government doesn't label each bottle mainly because it is expensive to test it, and a number of outside interest groups wouldn't let that happen, also keep in mind the balsamic vinegar is made from grape wines which go bad, and that each wine crop is done on an annual basis, that in combination with the required boiling of 50% of the liquid from a wine barrel and the sitting time to let the flavors develop, some balsamic vinegars could be 2,3, 5, 10, 25, 50 years old.... So some of the balsamic vinegars may have been tainted from as far back as several decades and the problem may have been addressed, but usually solutions are in the long term. I wasn't aware of this problem affecting the balsamic vinegars, so it is good to know and be aware of...
That said strawberries, lettuce, green onions and cilantro have been affected by harmful metals or pathogens. Those all originated from Mexico and have since been removed from most stores that I have seen in the bay area and even Davis. Typically, though I think it is almost impossible to keep metals out of our diet in the food we eat, even if you do grow your own, there is not way to be sure. I would like to think that by supporting local farmer's markets it may reduce your contact but I can't say that for sure... To bad hearing about the news on vinegar... (Just making sure there is a proposition on the government labeling any glass containers that may contain lead... Not sure if it may be coming form that....) Anycase, sorry for the long response... It is worth discussing....
Ivy, love your blog. Re; lead in balsamic vinegar. The Environmental Law Foundation in Oakland is the one that started it all with their suit in 2004. And, yep, Italian balsamic has enough lead in it to violate Proposition 65. We have young kids that love balsamic in their salads so we were a bit bummed by all this. Recently we found a small company in San Rafael, CA that has begun making California balsamics that are Prop 65 compliant. No lead. Made right here. Tried them. They're delicious! They make 3 kinds though we've only tasted the balsamic. Thought you should know the good news.
thanks for loving my blog :) and thanks for the good news!
What company is this?? I'd love to know so I can have my balsamic EVERDAY! :)
Ivy, the name of the company is O Olive Oil. (www.ooliveoil.com) They sell them on their website. All California made and they even certify they comply with Prop 65. Have been seeing the lead signs all over now in stores here in northern CA. Yep, mostly Italian balsamics. Yikes1
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