Balsamic vinegar came under fire several years ago for containing heavy metals because it's aged in barrels for so long. The heavy metals are found naturally in the soil that the grapes are grown in and when the vinegar is aged and concentrated, the minerals are also. California has very strict guidelines about warning consumers about lead and arsenic to the point that it the warning is practically on everything. Here's an article that explains balsamic vinegar's heavy metal problem and why for some products, its really a non-issue. But it's probably the reason for all the balsamic vinegar out there that isn't aged as long. Another reason is that 12-year-old balsamic vinegar is very pricey.
Fortunately, there are supplements containing fluvic acid that remove heavy metals from the body, As will spirulina or cilantro. So if you LOVE cilantro and eat it regularly, enjoy your 12 year old balsamic vinegar!
https://americanolivefarmer.com/blog...lsamic-vinegar