High Levels of Lead Found in Cinnamon Have Lead to Recalls

A Consumer Reports article and research published on Thursday revealed that 12 brands of cinnamon powder and multi-spice powder contained high levels of lead. 

Their findings concluded that Paras cinnamon contained the highest lead levels, with 3.52 parts per million, or ppm, according to CNN. Furthermore, Consumer Reports bought cinnamon from brands such as Badia, McCormick, and Morton & Bassett, which are carried in ordinary grocery stores, as well as smaller brands that cater to international cuisines. 

The next highest level was found in cinnamon powder from EGN (2.91 ppm), followed by Mimi’s Products ground cinnamon (2.03 ppm), ShopRite Bowl & Basket ground cinnamon (1.82 ppm), Rani Brand ground cinnamon (1.39 ppm), Zara Foods cinnamon powder (1.27 ppm), Three Rivers cinnamon stick powder (1.26 ppm), Yu Yee Brand five spice powder (1.25 ppm), BaiLiFeng five spice powder (1.15 ppm), Spicy King five spices powder (1.05 ppm), Badia cinnamon powder (1.03 ppm) and Deep cinnamon powder (1.02 ppm).

The spices were purchased from 17 stores in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and online. However, the level of lead identified in these products is not likely to pose an immediate health risk. Trace levels of lead and other heavy metals are present in many of the foods people consume. 

The problem is when one comes in with repeat exposure or exposure to higher levels. This can lead to hypertension, kidney dysfunction, cognitive decline and neuropathy effects in adults, and central nervous system damage like seizures and developmental defects such as learning disorders or other long-term health problems, which heavily impact children and pregnant women the most. 

Doctors say there is no known safe level of lead for children. Cinnamon may have a higher lead level risk because cinnamon trees grow for years before their bark is harvested, giving them more time to absorb lead in the soil. According to ABC News, the FDA is actively monitoring ground cinnamon supplies and has recently alerted the public about certain products.

Last year, a major recall of apple cinnamon pouches with high lead levels led to health problems in at least 90 confirmed cases. This year, the FDA has released multiple health alerts for ground cinnamon products with elevated lead levels. In July, several New York distributors recalled ground cinnamon products that were potentially contaminated with increased lead levels.

The FDA is advising consumers to throw away and not to buy these ground cinnamon products.  These products have a long shelf life. Consumers should check their homes and discard these products. If there’s suspicion that someone has been exposed to elevated levels of lead, talk to a healthcare provider. Most people have no obvious immediate symptoms of lead exposure.

Consumer Reports has said that Paras and EGN, the companies with the highest lead levels, told them they would stop selling their products and had told stores to remove them from their shelves.