Researchers looked at turmeric products sold around the world and found that about 20% of them aren’t what they claim to be. Scientists reviewed 48 studies covering over 2,200 turmeric samples from six continents and discovered that many products contain fake ingredients like artificial dyes, unnecessary fillers, or lab-made versions of turmeric’s active ingredient instead of real turmeric. The problem affects both turmeric spices used in cooking and turmeric supplements people take for health. This review shows that fake turmeric is a widespread issue that affects consumers everywhere, making it important to know where your turmeric comes from.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How often turmeric products sold in stores contain fake or contaminated ingredients instead of real turmeric
  • Who participated: Scientists analyzed 48 published studies that tested 2,235 turmeric products from stores around the world across six continents between 2000 and 2025
  • Key finding: About 1 in 5 turmeric products (20%) contained fake or contaminated ingredients. Supplements were slightly more likely to be fake (22%) than turmeric spice (20.4%)
  • What it means for you: When you buy turmeric—whether as a spice for cooking or as a health supplement—there’s a real chance it might not be authentic. This suggests you should buy from trusted brands and sources, though this review doesn’t tell us which specific products are safe

The Research Details

This was a scoping review, which means researchers searched through scientific databases to find all published studies about fake turmeric. They looked through five major scientific databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science) for papers published between 2000 and 2025. They started with 375 papers but had to eliminate most of them because they didn’t contain information about turmeric adulteration or didn’t report how many fake samples were found.

The researchers followed strict guidelines called PRISMA-ScR to make sure they did their search fairly and consistently. They also searched for government reports and used different language keywords to find studies they might have missed. In the end, they included 48 papers in their final analysis, which together tested 2,235 turmeric products from stores worldwide.

The researchers then looked at what types of fake ingredients were found in the products and compared how common the problem was in different regions and product types (spices versus supplements).

This type of review is important because it brings together information from many different studies done in different countries. Instead of relying on one study, this approach gives us a bigger picture of how widespread the turmeric adulteration problem really is. By combining data from 48 studies, the researchers could see patterns that wouldn’t be obvious from looking at individual studies alone.

This review is reliable because it followed established scientific guidelines for conducting reviews. The researchers were transparent about how many papers they found and why they excluded most of them. However, the quality depends on the quality of the original 48 studies included, which may have used different testing methods. The review also only included published studies, so there may be unpublished research that wasn’t included. The overall adulteration rate of 20% is based on real product testing, which makes it more trustworthy than estimates alone.

What the Results Show

The main finding is that approximately 20% of turmeric products sold commercially contain fake or contaminated ingredients. This means that if you bought five turmeric products, roughly one of them would likely be adulterated. The problem is consistent across different regions of the world, suggesting it’s a global issue rather than a problem in just one area.

When researchers looked at different types of products, they found that turmeric supplements (pills, powders, extracts) had a slightly higher adulteration rate at 22% compared to turmeric spice used in cooking at 20.4%. This small difference suggests that both forms of turmeric are vulnerable to being faked or contaminated.

The fake ingredients found in turmeric products included artificial dyes (fake colors), undeclared fillers (extra ingredients not listed on the label), and synthetic curcumin (lab-made versions of turmeric’s active ingredient instead of the real thing extracted from the plant). These adulterations mean consumers may not be getting what they paid for or what they think they’re consuming.

The review found that turmeric adulteration is a concern across all six continents where studies were conducted, indicating this isn’t a localized problem. The fact that both spices and supplements are affected suggests that adulteration happens at different points in the supply chain—from production to packaging to retail. The variety of adulterants found (artificial dyes, fillers, synthetic ingredients) shows that there are multiple ways products are being faked, which makes it harder to prevent.

This review consolidates what individual studies have been reporting since 2000, confirming that turmeric adulteration has been a persistent problem for at least 25 years. The 20% adulteration rate aligns with concerns that have been raised by food safety organizations and regulatory agencies worldwide. This review provides the most comprehensive picture to date of how widespread the problem is globally.

This review only included published studies, so there may be unpublished research or government reports that weren’t captured. Different studies used different testing methods to detect adulteration, which means some studies might have found more or fewer fake products depending on their testing approach. The review doesn’t tell us which specific brands or countries have the biggest problems, only overall patterns. Additionally, the review was published in 2026 but included data only through 2025, so very recent adulteration cases wouldn’t be included. The review also doesn’t explain why adulteration happens or how to identify fake turmeric yourself.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, consider buying turmeric from reputable brands with good track records and transparent sourcing information. Look for products that have been tested by third-party organizations for quality and authenticity. If you’re taking turmeric supplements for health reasons, discuss your choice with your doctor, especially since some products may not contain what’s advertised. Buy from established retailers rather than unknown online sellers when possible. This evidence suggests caution is warranted, though this review doesn’t identify which specific products are safe.

Anyone who regularly uses turmeric—whether as a cooking spice or as a health supplement—should be aware of this issue. People taking turmeric for specific health conditions should be especially careful since they may not be getting the active ingredients they expect. Parents buying turmeric products for their families should also pay attention. However, occasional use of turmeric from a trusted grocery store is likely lower risk than buying from unknown online sources.

If you switch to a more trusted turmeric source, you won’t notice an immediate change. However, if you were previously using an adulterated product and switch to an authentic one, you might notice differences over weeks to months if you were taking it for a specific health reason. The main benefit of buying authentic turmeric is knowing you’re getting what you paid for and what’s advertised on the label.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track which turmeric brands and sources you purchase from, noting the date and where you bought them. If using turmeric for health reasons, log when you switch to a verified authentic source and note any changes in how you feel over the following weeks
  • Research and identify 2-3 reputable turmeric brands with third-party testing certifications. Make a note in your app of these trusted brands and commit to purchasing only from these sources or from established retailers known for quality control
  • Monthly, review your turmeric purchases to ensure they’re from your verified trusted sources. If taking turmeric supplements for health, keep a simple log of your source and any health observations to share with your healthcare provider

This review summarizes research about turmeric product authenticity but does not identify specific safe or unsafe brands. If you take turmeric supplements for medical reasons or have health conditions, consult your doctor before making changes to your turmeric use. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice. The findings show a general trend but don’t guarantee that any particular product is adulterated or authentic. Always purchase supplements from reputable sources and consider asking your healthcare provider for brand recommendations.