The FDA issued an urgent warning regarding cinnamon contamination with lead in July 2024. The newest warning comes after the October 2023 alerts and recalls of a number of products that followed concerns about the risk of lead exposure, especially to products being used by children. The FDA cautioned consumers to inspect the content of their spice cabinets and turn in items under recall to forestall possible future health consequences.
Understanding lead contamination risks
Lead is a very dangerous metal to health, especially when it comes to children. Chronic intake of lead can cause developmental delays, learning disabilities, and behavioral problems. The health conditions resulting from lead’s toxic effects in adults are serious; these effects relate to hypertension, kidney dysfunction, and neurocognitive effects.
Recent findings by the FDA issued an alarm to raise awareness about lead content in cinnamon products and commenced action on safeguarding public health.
Recent FDA alerts and recalls
The newest warning from the FDA, released July 30, 2024 expands previous warnings about cinnamon products that contained high levels of lead. Testing showed some brands with a lead level of 2.03 to over 20 parts per million. More specifically, many brands were recommended by the FDA to issue a voluntary recall including:
- El Servidor: Contained excessive levels of lead and, based on this finding, recalled.
- Shahzada: This brand’s cinnamon powder, distributed in several states, was found to have high levels of lead.
- Spice Class: This brand’s cinnamon, in ground form, was recalled following tests that showed it was contaminated with lead.
These were not the only brands on the alert by the FDA, which charged buyers to be on their guard.
Brands affected by the recall
As identified by the FDA alert, the following brands are subject to recall for lead contamination:
- El Chilar: Specific lot codes of this brand have been identified for recall.
- Marcum: Sold in Missouri and Virginia, specific codes note which products are to be recalled.
- SWAD: Sold in Connecticut, this brand has been flagged.
- Supreme Tradition: Sold in California, found at Dollar Tree.
- Comia Indor Orient: Sold at Eurogro, this brand also has been implicated.
- AL Flavor: This company’s offerings are part of the recall action and were distributed in Connecticut.
- Spice Class: This product was distributed in New York City and was discovered to contain high levels of lead.
- La Frontera: Yet another brand without any lot code specific to be provided but listed in this recall.
- WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks: These brands of applesauce pouches in cinnamon flavor were previously recalled due to fears of contamination with high levels of lead.
Consumers are hereby advised to compare their products with this list and to return or destroy those products that could be affected.
Consumers’ recommendations
The FDA has recommended the following to consumers:
- Check the labels on your products: Check any cinnamon products you have in your pantry, especially from the brands listed in the recall.
- Throw away contaminated products: If you have any of the brands involved, it is important that you throw them away right now. If you or your child have consumed any of the products listed above and are experiencing symptoms of lead exposure, seek immediate medical attention.
- Be aware: Get the latest FDA alerts and recalls directly from their website or sign up for notifications.
The recent warning from the FDA regarding the contaminated cinnamon products provides an important alert to the potential health risks associated with food contamination. Because children are so susceptible to lead exposure, consumers must always be on guard and take a proactive stance regarding their food products.
