Ground cinnamon sold by US discount retailers is contaminated with high levels of lead and must be discarded, federal health officials said Wednesday.
The Food and Drug Administration said cinnamon sold by stores including the Dollar Tree and Family Dollar comprises lead at levels that could possibly be unsafe for people, particularly children, with prolonged exposure to the spice. The agency urged suppliers to recall the products voluntarily.
Cinnamon products included within the agency’s safety alert include the La Fiesta brand sold by La Superior and SuperMercados; Marcum brand sold by Save A Lot stores; MK brands sold by SF Supermarket; Swad brand sold by Patel Brothers; El Chilar brand sold by La Joya Morelense; and Supreme Tradition brand sold by Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores.
The products contain lead at levels that could possibly be unsafe for people, particularly children, with prolonged exposure to the spice. AP
“Removing the bottom cinnamon products on this alert from the market will prevent them from contributing elevated amounts of result in the diets of kids,” the alert said.
Consumers mustn’t buy the products and will throw away any containers they’ve at home, the agency said.
Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores have removed the cinnamon from their store shelves, an organization spokesperson said. Customers can return products to nearby stores for a refund.
FDA officials launched what they called a “targeted survey” of cinnamon products sold in discount stores after an October 2023 recall of lead-tainted cinnamon applesauce pouches that sickened nearly 500 US children.
The bottom cinnamon products in Wednesday’s notice had lead levels of two.03 to three.4 parts per million, far lower than the puree pouches, which contained 2,270 parts per million to five,110 parts per million of lead.
Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores have removed the cinnamon from their store shelves, an organization spokesperson said. Christopher Sadowski
No illnesses or other health effects have been reported in reference to the brand new ground cinnamon alert, the FDA said.
There isn’t any protected level of lead exposure for humans. Long-term exposure of lead could cause problems, especially in growing children, including learning disabilities, behavioral difficulties and lower IQ.
The FDA monitors foods for lead levels, but the federal government doesn’t broadly limit lead in food products. The agency sent a letter to all cinnamon manufacturers, processors, distributors and facility operators within the US reminding them they’re required to forestall contamination from chemical hazards in food, including spices.
