High Lead Levels Found in Cinnamon and Spice Blends

High Lead Levels Found in Cinnamon and Spice Blends

High levels of lead were detected in 12 brands of cinnamon powder and multi-spice powders, according to Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization that evaluates goods and services. The highest lead levels were found in Paras cinnamon powder, at 3.52 parts per million (ppm).

Brands Affected

Aside from Paras, other brands with elevated lead levels included EGN, Mimi’s Products, ShopRite Bowl & Basket, Rani Brand, Zara Foods, Three Rivers, Yu Yee Brand, BaiLiFeng, Spicy King, Badia, and Deep. Paras and EGN have announced plans to halt sales and retrieve affected products from store shelves.

Lead Content in Cinnamon

Mimi’s Products claimed that analytical reports from its suppliers indicated lead levels below 1 ppm in its ground cinnamon. Wakefern Food Corp., the owner of ShopRite Bowl & Basket, emphasized the adherence of its cinnamon to quality standards. Badia Spices assured compliance with all federal and international regulations regarding lead content in ground cinnamon products.

FDA Regulations and Recall Thresholds

The FDA has not established formal regulations for lead levels in spices and has not issued consumer alerts or recalls for lead levels below 2 ppm. However, the Codex Alimentarius, an international body, is considering a maximum lead level of 2.5 ppm for bark spices, including cinnamon. New York State, the only state to regulate heavy metals in spices, triggers recalls for lead levels exceeding 1 ppm.

Health Risks of Lead Exposure

The US Environmental Protection Agency emphasizes that no amount of lead exposure is safe for humans. Lead accumulates in the body and can be harmful even at low exposure levels, particularly for children. Children exposed to lead may experience damage to the nervous system, learning disabilities, stunted growth, and impaired blood cell function.

Consumer Reports Testing Methodology

Consumer Reports obtained multiple samples of 36 spice products, including cinnamon, garam masala, and mixed spices. The testing targeted products from major brands and smaller brands in international and online stores.

Additional Findings

In addition to the 12 brands with lead levels above 1 ppm, 18 brands of cinnamon or spice blends had lead levels ranging from 0.87 ppm to 0.23 ppm. Six cinnamon products tested at lower levels. Due to limited sample sizes, the testing cannot confirm consistent lead levels across all products sold under the same brand name.

Prior Incidents and FDA Actions

In 2023, extremely high lead levels were discovered in cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches imported from Ecuador. Since then, the FDA has issued health alerts for several cinnamon products with elevated lead levels, including some with levels as high as 3.93 ppm. While manufacturers have voluntarily recalled some products, the FDA lacks authority to enforce mandatory recalls.

Criticisms and Proposed Measures

Dr. Pieter Cohen of Cambridge Health Alliance expressed concern that no organization is monitoring heavy metal exposure through commonly consumed foods like cinnamon. He criticized the FDA’s silence on acceptable lead levels in cinnamon, leaving companies to determine exposure levels. Consumer Reports’ Director of Food Safety Research and Testing, James Rogers, emphasized that the agency lacks resources to conduct comprehensive testing. He suggested that these findings serve as a reminder for consumers to mitigate risk by acknowledging other potential sources of lead exposure. The FDA is seeking to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to require testing and record-keeping by manufacturers. Additionally, the agency is pursuing remote access to test results to enhance its oversight capabilities.