TLDR

  • The FDA has issued a health advisory warning consumers about lead-tainted ground Cinnamon from six different brands
  • The identified brands include La Fiesta, Marcum, MK, Swad, Supreme Tradition, and El Chilar
  • Dollar Tree and Family Dollar have already removed Supreme Tradition ground Cinnamon products from their shelves
  • The FDA’s warning follows an analysis revealing elevated lead levels ranging from 2.03 to 3.4 parts per million in the identified products
  • Lead exposure can have severe health implications, particularly for children, including learning and behavioral problems, decreased IQ, and damage to the brain and nervous system
  • The warning comes after a previous recall of lead-contaminated Cinnamon applesauce pouches, which sickened nearly 500 individuals across 44 states
  • Consumers are advised not to consume, sell, or serve these products and to dispose of them immediately
  • The FDA emphasizes the long-term health risks of lead exposure and the responsibility of manufacturers and importers to ensure product safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a health advisory warning consumers that ground Cinnamon from six different brands is tainted with lead. 

The agency urged people to dispose of and refrain from purchasing the following brands:

  • La Fiesta
  • Marcum
  • MK
  • Swad
  • Supreme Tradition
  • El Chilar

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores have already removed the Supreme Tradition ground Cinnamon products from their shelves, emphasizing their commitment to consumer safety.

“We take this situation very seriously,” said a Dollar Tree spokesperson. 

Cinnamon powder
Cinnamon

The FDA’s warning comes after an analysis revealed elevated lead levels ranging from 2.03 to 3.4 parts per million in the identified ground Cinnamon products. 

Although there have been no reported illnesses or adverse events associated with these products, the FDA emphasized the potential dangers of lead exposure, particularly for children.

“Removing the ground Cinnamon products in this alert from the market will prevent them from contributing elevated amounts of lead to the diets of children,” stated the FDA.

Exposure to lead poses significant health risks, particularly for children. 

It can result in severe implications such as learning and behavioral issues, decreased IQ, and harm to the brain and nervous system. 

Laurie Beyranevand, the director of the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law and Graduate School, noted the complexity of the food supply chain, suggesting that contaminated Cinnamon could have ended up in various products.

“Given the complexities of the food supply chain, the contaminated Cinnamon likely wound up in many different products,” Beyranevand stated.

The FDA’s warning follows a previous recall of lead-contaminated Cinnamon applesauce pouches, which sickened nearly 500 individuals across 44 states. 

The agency initiated sampling of ground Cinnamon products from discount stores after the applesauce recall to assess lead contamination. 

While it’s unclear if the identified contaminated products share the same supplier as the tainted applesauce pouches, the FDA’s proactive approach underscores the importance of safeguarding consumer health.

“It demonstrates that the problem is more pervasive than we might believe,” said Brian Ronholm, the director of food policy for Consumer Reports.

In response to the latest findings, the FDA has recommended that the companies behind the affected ground Cinnamon brands recall their products. 

Additionally, consumers are advised not to consume, sell, or serve these products and to dispose of them immediately. 

The FDA stressed the importance of adhering to these guidelines, emphasizing the long-term health risks of lead exposure.

“Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the manufacturers and the importers to ensure the safety of the products that enter into the U.S. market,” the FDA stated in its warning.

As the agency continues to monitor food safety, it remains committed to protecting consumers from harmful contaminants in food products.

Citations:
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