Why Bay Area Parents Trust Lab-Tested Spices for Their Kids

Why do parents choose From Byadgi spices?

Because they don't have to take our word for it. Parents tell us they want to see the heavy metal results, especially lead, before a spice goes into their children's food. From Byadgi publishes a lab report for every batch, so a parent can read the numbers and decide for themselves.

We meet a lot of families at local shows and festivals around the Bay Area, like the AIA Dussehra Diwali Dhamaka at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. When we talk with parents at our booth, we keep hearing the same thing: they like From Byadgi because of the lab reports.

What Bay Area parents tell us at local events

Different families, different cities, but the same reasons:

• The lab reports. Being able to read the test results is what made them trust a spice brand.
• Heavy metals, especially lead. Lead and the other heavy metals were what they checked first.
• An easy decision. Seeing the testing helped them decide to buy, instead of guessing.
• Confidence in their kids' food. Because they've seen the results, they use our spices in their children's dishes without second-guessing.

Here's a moment from the AIA Diwali Dhamaka in Pleasanton, shared on Instagram with the organizers, AIA Events (@aia.events):

See From Byadgi at the AIA Diwali Dhamaka on Instagram

The set we recommend

The Starter SetGift-ready set · every spice lab tested$36 $72

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Why do lab reports matter more when you cook for kids?

Children are more sensitive to heavy metals than adults. They eat more food for their body weight, and their brains are still developing. The CDC says no safe blood lead level in children has been identified.

Spices are part of the problem. In 2021, Consumer Reports tested 126 herb and spice products and found that about one in three had levels of lead, arsenic or cadmium high enough to raise health concerns with regular use. In 2023, cinnamon contaminated with lead led to a recall of applesauce pouches made for children.

The hard part is that you can't see, smell or taste heavy metals. A bright red chili powder or golden turmeric can be completely clean, or it can have been colored with lead chromate, an industrial pigment found in adulterated spices. Only a lab can tell them apart.

Are From Byadgi spices tested for lead and heavy metals?

Yes. Every batch of every From Byadgi spice is tested by an independent, accredited lab for 105 parameters before it ships:

• Heavy metals: lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury
• Aflatoxins: mold toxins that grow in poorly stored spices
• Pesticide residues
• Microbes: Salmonella, E. coli, yeast and mold

We publish every report, so you can see each result for yourself. Each spice is also a single ingredient, with no fillers, anti-caking agents or added colors.

How can parents check a spice's lab report?

1. Scan the QR code on the back of any From Byadgi pouch. It opens the lab report for that product.
2. Or visit our Lab Results page to read every report before you buy. You don't need an account.
3. Look for all four heavy metals: lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. A trustworthy report lists each one with its result and the limit.
4. Check that it's recent and tied to a batch. A report from years ago, or one with no batch code, tells you very little.

Use the same checklist for any spice brand. If a brand can't show you a report, that tells you something too.

Which spices are good for kids' food?

Many kids love flavor but not heat. These are easy places to start:

• Turmeric: in dal, khichdi, rice, scrambled eggs or warm milk. It adds color and gentle earthiness, with no heat.
• Coriander: in curries, roasted vegetables and potatoes. It's warm, citrusy and not spicy.
• Cumin seeds: fried in a little ghee for jeera rice or a simple tadka on dal.
• Byadgi chili: when you want a deep red color without much heat. It's much milder than regular red chili powder, so the whole family can share one pot.

All four are in our Starter Set, along with black pepper and cloves: six everyday spices in one box, each with its lab report, shipped free in the U.S.

Frequently asked questions

How do parents know From Byadgi spices are OK to use in food for kids?
Every batch is tested by an independent lab for lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. We publish every report, so parents can read the numbers and decide for themselves.

Are From Byadgi spices tested for lead?
Yes. Every batch is tested for lead and the other heavy metals, along with aflatoxins, pesticides and microbes (105 parameters in all). The reports are on our Lab Results page and linked from a QR code on every pouch.

Can I see the lab report before I buy?
Yes. Every report is on our Lab Results page. You don't need an account or a purchase to read them.

Which spices are mild enough for children?
Turmeric, coriander and cumin have no real heat. Byadgi chili gives a deep red color with much less heat than regular chili powder. Start with small amounts and adjust to your child's taste.

Where can I buy lab-tested Indian spices in the Bay Area?
From Byadgi ships across the U.S. from our online store at frombyadgi.co, and orders over $36 ship free. We also bring our spices to local shows and events around the Bay Area, like the AIA Diwali Dhamaka in Pleasanton, where you can scan the lab reports in person.