The FDA has detected elevated lead levels in six brands of ground cinnamon sold by discount retailers and advises consumers to discard these products immediately. Prolonged exposure to lead poses significant health risks, especially to children.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a safety alert on Wednesday after detecting elevated levels of lead in six brands of ground cinnamon sold by discount retailers across the country. Consumers are urged to discard these products immediately and avoid purchasing them, while retailers have been instructed to stop selling them.
Affected Brands
The FDA identified the following brands as containing elevated lead levels:
- La Fiesta (sold by La Superior and SuperMercados)
- Marcum (sold by Save A Lot stores)
- MK (sold by SF Supermarket)
- Swad (sold by Patel Brothers)
- El Chilar (sold by La Joya Morelense)
- Supreme Tradition (sold by Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores)
Health Risks
Although no illnesses have been reported from consuming the contaminated cinnamon, prolonged exposure to elevated lead levels can result in significant health issues, particularly in children. Lead exposure is known to cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, irritability, and weight loss, among other symptoms. According to environmental health expert Dr. Philip Landrigan, there is no safe level of lead exposure for humans.
FDA’s Recommendations
“These products have a long shelf life. Consumers should check their homes and discard these products,” the FDA advised. The agency became aware of the issue following an October 2023 recall of cinnamon apple puree and applesauce products, which had high lead levels attributed to the cinnamon used in their preparation.
Lead Levels and Comparison
The FDA’s recent safety notice revealed that the ground cinnamon products in question contain lead levels ranging from 2.03 to 3.4 parts per million (ppm). While these levels are significantly lower than those found in the recalled cinnamon apple puree and applesauce products, which ranged from 2,270 to 5,110 ppm, they still pose a health risk over prolonged exposure.
Previous Incidents
The contaminated cinnamon apple puree and applesauce products, sold in squeeze pouches primarily for children, led to numerous cases of poisoning. By February 23, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had documented:
- 111 confirmed cases of lead and chromium poisoning
- 320 probable cases
- 37 suspected cases
The FDA continues to monitor the situation and is working to ensure that contaminated products are removed from store shelves. Consumers should remain vigilant, checking their pantries for the affected cinnamon brands and disposing of any they find. Ensuring food safety and protecting public health remains a top priority for the FDA.
