The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently identified and advised on a significant health concern involving lead contamination in several brands of ground cinnamon. This situation stems from an extensive investigation following a previous recall of cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches, which were found to have dangerously high levels of lead. The FDA’s findings have led to a broader concern over ground cinnamon products, especially given the neurotoxic effects of lead, which can cause developmental, neurological, and behavioral issues, particularly in children, with no safe level of lead exposure identified.¹ ²
In a detailed examination, the FDA discovered elevated levels of lead in six ground cinnamon brands: Marcum, MK, La Fiesta, Swad, Supreme Tradition, and El Chilar. These products were predominantly sold at discount retailers like Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Patel Brothers, and Save A Lot. The lead levels found in these ground cinnamon products ranged from 2.03 to 3.4 parts per million (ppm), which, while significantly lower than the 2,270 ppm to 5,110 ppm levels found in the implicated cinnamon from Ecuador, still pose a health risk, especially with prolonged exposure. This discovery prompted the FDA to recommend voluntary recalls of these brands to mitigate any health risks¹.
The initial concern over lead contamination was raised following the recall of cinnamon applesauce pouches in October 2023, which were linked to lead toxicity in children. This led to a targeted survey by the FDA of ground cinnamon products sold in discount stores. Subsequent investigations have pointed to the intentional adulteration of these products with lead chromate, a substance used to enhance weight and color for economic gain, despite the severe health risks involved².
The FDA has been actively working with manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to remove the contaminated products from the market and prevent further exposure. Consumers have been advised to check their homes for these products and discard any that match the FDA’s list of contaminated brands. Furthermore, the FDA suggests that anyone concerned about potential lead exposure consult with healthcare providers for testing and evaluation¹.
In response to this issue, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar have taken steps to remove the contaminated cinnamon from their shelves and are offering refunds to customers. The incident underscores the importance of rigorous food safety practices and the need for continuous monitoring and quality control in the production and distribution of food products³.
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Citations
- FDA Alert Concerning Certain Cinnamon Products Due to Presence of Elevated Levels of Lead | FDA
- FDA warns consumers to throw out certain ground cinnamon in wake of lead poisoning outbreak | Food Safety News
- FDA Finds Lead Contamination in Six Brands of Ground Cinnamon, Urges Voluntary Recall | Business Times Online