Consumers Advised by FDA to Discontinue Use of Ground Cinnamon Products Containing High Levels of Lead

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has urged consumers to stop using particular cinnamon products available at retailers like Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, and Save A Lot due to the presence of high lead levels. The FDA sounded this safety alert on Wednesday.

This notice follows a recall in November 2023 of cinnamon apple puree and applesauce items detected to contain lead. These items have been associated with 468 cases of lead and chromium poisoning across 44 states.

In response to the 2023 recall, the FDA conducted additional testing on ground cinnamon products from discount retail stores to check if they also had lead and chromium content. The test results revealed that ground cinnamon products sourced from six different distributors had lead levels ranging between 2.03 to 3.4 parts per million (ppm).

The affected products include:

• La Fiesta ground cinnamon
• Marcum ground cinnamon
• MK ground cinnamon
• Swad ground cinnamon
• Supreme Tradition ground cinnamon
• El Chilar ground cinnamon

In addition to warning the public, the FDA also recommended a voluntary recall of these ground cinnamon products. The agency also contacted all cinnamon manufacturers, processors, distributors, and facility operators in the U.S. reminding them of their responsibility to prevent contamination in food items.

Although the FDA mentioned that the lead quantities in the cinnamon products are 'significantly lower' than those found in previous recalls—which ranged between 2,270 ppm to 5,110 ppm— no amount of lead in products is considered safe, especially for children who are more susceptible to lead absorption.

Lead might infiltrate food items at any stage, including during growth, harvest, or processing. Previously, lead was a common ingredient in paint, gasoline, and other materials, which could become contaminates when used or disposed of. Francisco Diez-Gonzalez, PhD, director of the University of Georgia Center for Food Safety mentioned that environment can naturally contaminate cinnamon. Even a spice grinder containing lead could be problematic, he added.

Lead might also be intentionally added to specific items, such as spices, to increase weight or enhance color. This is more common for spices which are imported, especially from Georgia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Morocco, where high lead levels may be found.

Benjamin Chapman, PhD, a professor and food safety specialist at North Carolina State University, told Health that lead has been utilized in a few different spice items to increase profitability for ground spices.

The FDA advised consumers to stop usage, avoid buying, and dispose of the ground cinnamon products containing increased levels of lead. Considering the long shelf life of cinnamon, the FDA recommends people to check their pantries for any of the listed products.

Because there are no visible indications of lead contamination in cinnamon products, consumers who believe they have been exposed to increased lead levels should consult with their healthcare providers. Francisco Diez-Gonzalez, added to this by stating that lead in cinnamon can't be smelled or tasted.

No illnesses in relation to these cinnamon products have been reported yet, however, long-term exposure to lead can cause adverse health effects, especially in children, which includes learning disabilities, behavioral difficulties such as hyperactivity, and reduced IQ.

It's important to note that this recall doesn't pertain to all cinnamon—only the products specifically mentioned by the FDA. Benjamin Chapman urges consumers not to panic about all cinnamon, but to remain attentive to the FDA actions and to check if any of the recalled brands are at home. He suggests it might be time for a cinnamon refresh if consumers can't be sure.