The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that six different cinnamon brands have tested for elevated levels of lead. No specific cases of health complications have been reported. Still, lead is a toxic heavy metal and can have serious implications for people of all ages.
With that in mind, the agency has recommended that all of these products be recalled.
- La Fiesta Ground Cinnamon (Retailer: La Superior SuperMercados)
- Marcum Ground Cinnamon (Retailer: Save A Lot)
- MK Cinnamon Powder (Retailer: SF Supermarket)
- Swad Cinnamon Powder (Retailer: Patel Brothers)
- Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon (Retailer: Dollar Tree, Family Dollar)
- El Chilar Canela Molida (Retailer: La Joya Morelense located in Baltimore, MD)
Harms of lead exposure
Currently, the FDA is advising consumers to stop using these products and to throw them away. The FDA has also sent a letter to all cinnamon manufacturers, processors, distributors, and facility operators throughout the nation to remind them of the requirement to uphold standards that prevent contamination from chemical hazards.
This voluntary recall recommendation follows another from October 2023 which advised against the consumption of cinnamon apple puree and apple sauce products due to elevated lead levels from the cinnamon used in them. The amount found in ground cinnamon was significantly less than that found in cinnamon apple sauce pouches, but the FDA still emphasizes that long-term exposure (regardless of the amount) could be unsafe. Lead exposure is a big deal for everyone, but it’s a unique concern for children.
In children, lead exposure can lead to:
- Brain damage
- Delayed growth/development
- Learning issues
- Hearing and speech problems
Sometimes the symptoms can fly under the radar, which is why government organizations encourage parents to be mindful of exposure. Most children won’t show obvious symptoms that can be pinpointed to lead exposure. So, if there is a suspicion, then it’s best to get a blood test from a healthcare provider.
For adults, symptoms can look a little different:
- Headaches
- Stomach cramps
- Constipation
- Muscle pain
- Fatigue
- Reduced sex drive
Lead is also linked to high blood pressure and impaired brain, kidney, and reproductive health. It can still be hard to know when lead poisoning is happening as an adult, since most people don’t actually feel or look that differently while lead exposure is taking place.
How to reduce lead exposure through food
Eating sufficient amounts of iron and vitamin C is crucial for decreasing lead absorption by the body. Foods like red meat, chicken, and liver provide highly absorbable, animal-based heme iron.
Foods like dark leafy greens and nuts or seeds provide iron as well, but in the form of plant-based, non-heme iron that is less readily absorbed. Pairing these foods with vitamin C rich produce like citrus fruits, potatoes, and berries can not only help boost iron absorption, but bolster your defense against lead.
It’s important to be mindful of practical ways to reduce exposure because food isn’t the only source of lead contamination. Contaminated drinking water from old pipes, lead-based toys (which kids often put into their mouths), and industrial smoke are all common sources of lead poisoning.
Read the full FDA alert for more information here.