The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently issued a warning about further cases of lead contamination found in several cinnamon products across the country.
Ground cinnamon from brands like La Fiesta, Marcum, MK, Swad, Supreme Tradition, and Eli Chilar have been identified with high levels of lead. In response, Dollar Tree has proactively removed all Supreme Tradition ground cinnamon from its stores nationwide. The FDA advises against consuming, selling, or serving these products and recommends disposing of them, noting their extended shelf life.
No related illnesses have been reported yet. However, FDA’s analysis showed elevated lead concentrations in these products, ranging from 2.03 to 3.4 parts per million. While the FDA hasn’t set specific lead limits for spices, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization suggests a safety standard of 2.5 ppm for spices, including cinnamon.
Lead exposure poses significant health risks, especially to children, potentially causing developmental issues, lower IQs, and damage to the nervous system. This alert follows a recent recall of cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches by WanaBana USA, linked to hundreds of lead poisoning cases.
The FDA’s subsequent investigation into discount store ground cinnamon products was sparked by this incident. An FDA representative clarified that the cinnamon in the newly warned products is likely different from the one in the WanaBana pouches, which contained markedly higher lead levels.
Consumer Reports’ food policy director Brian Ronholm described the FDA’s warning as “alarming,” emphasizing the widespread nature of this contamination issue.