FDA Warns About Potential Lead Risk In Cinnamon For The Third Time This Year

Person holding megaphone, "Product Recall" text.

The FDA issues a third public health alert for ground cinnamon products contaminated with lead, urging consumers to discard affected brands.

At a Glance

FDA warns of elevated lead levels in multiple ground cinnamon brands, including Super Brand, Asli, and El Chilar
Consumers advised to discard and avoid purchasing affected products
Lead exposure poses significant risks, especially to children
FDA and state agencies intensify testing efforts to prevent unsafe imports
Alert is part of FDA’s broader “Closer to Zero” initiative to reduce toxic metals in foods

FDA Expands Warning on Lead-Contaminated Cinnamon

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued its third public health alert this year regarding ground cinnamon products contaminated with elevated levels of lead. The latest warning, released on November 1, 2024, adds Super Brand ground cinnamon to the growing list of affected products. This alert follows previous warnings issued on March 6 and July 25, 2024, highlighting the ongoing concern over lead contamination in cinnamon products.

The FDA is urging consumers to check their homes for these products and discard them immediately. The alert encompasses multiple brands, including Super Brand, Asli, El Chilar, Marcum, SWAD, Supreme Tradition, Compania Indiilor Orientale, ALB Flavor, Shahzada, Spice Class, and La Frontera. These products have been identified through state testing and FDA confirmation, with lead concentrations reaching as high as 7.68 parts per million (ppm) in some cases.

FDA issues alert for ground cinnamon brand due to potential lead contamination https://t.co/xHkj1Tgrkz

— ABC11 EyewitnessNews (@ABC11_WTVD) July 29, 2024

Health Risks and Vulnerable Populations

Lead contamination poses serious health risks, particularly to young children and pregnant women. The FDA emphasizes that even small amounts of lead can accumulate in the body over time, potentially causing long-term health problems. The agency’s concern is heightened due to cinnamon’s frequent use in foods consumed by babies and young children.

“Even small amounts of lead pose a risk because, over time, it can accumulate in the body and remain there for years, seriously harming health.” says James Rogers, Consumer Reports’ director of food safety research and testing.

The potential health effects of lead exposure include elevated blood lead levels, which can be particularly harmful with long-term exposure. The FDA advises that good nutrition may help mitigate some health effects of lead exposure, but prevention remains the primary goal.

FDA’s Response and Ongoing Efforts

In response to this contamination issue, the FDA has intensified its efforts to prevent unsafe cinnamon products from reaching consumers. The agency is working closely with state partners to test cinnamon products at both retail and import levels.

The federal agency posted this on their website: “The FDA continues to work with states to test cinnamon sold directly to consumers at retail and to test cinnamon at import. The FDA will continue our activities at import to prevent unsafe cinnamon from reaching consumers in the U.S., including adding firms and products to import alert where appropriate, according to the expanded alert posted on Nov. 1.”

The FDA is also advising suppliers to voluntarily test their products for safety. In March 2024, the agency sent a letter to cinnamon manufacturers, processors, distributors, and facility operators in the U.S., reminding them of their responsibility to implement controls to prevent chemical contamination in food products.

Broader Context and Consumer Action

This series of alerts follows a larger contamination issue that came to light in fall 2023, when WanaBana brand applesauce pouches were found to contain high lead levels. That incident affected over 250 children from 43 states, leading to recalls of cinnamon applesauce products from WanaBana, Schnucks, and Weis.

Consumers are strongly advised to check their pantries for the affected products and dispose of them immediately. The FDA’s alert provides specific details on distributors, retailers, lot codes, and lead concentrations for each affected product. Given the long shelf life of ground cinnamon, it’s crucial for consumers to remain vigilant and stay informed about any updates to the FDA’s warnings.

The ongoing investigation and alerts regarding lead in cinnamon products are part of the FDA’s broader “Closer to Zero” initiative, which aims to reduce childhood exposure to toxic elements in food. This effort underscores the agency’s commitment to protecting public health, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young children.