Atlanta, Georgia – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified elevated levels of lead in six brands of ground cinnamon spice. This discovery comes several months after the FDA recalled lead-contaminated applesauce pouches last fall.
According to the FDA, the six brands of ground cinnamon had lead levels that could potentially pose a risk to consumers, particularly those with prolonged exposure. The affected products are sold under the names Marcum, MK, La Fiesta, Swad, Supreme Tradition, and El Chilar, and are available at various retailers including Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Patel Brothers, and Save A Lot.
Consumers have been advised by the FDA to discard these products and refrain from purchasing them, while manufacturers have been urged to voluntarily recall the items. The FDA emphasized that removing these ground cinnamon products from the market would prevent them from contributing dangerous levels of lead to the diets of children.
In response to the FDA’s alert, Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores have already removed the tainted cinnamon from their shelves. Customers who have purchased the affected products are encouraged to return them for a refund. Fortunately, no illnesses or adverse events related to the contaminated products have been reported, the FDA confirmed.
This recent recall follows a previous incident where WanaBana USA voluntarily recalled three brands of applesauce due to elevated lead levels. The contamination was linked to applesauce pouches manufactured in Ecuador and distributed in U.S. supermarkets, including Dollar Tree. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 468 reported cases of lead exposure across 44 states.
Lead is a known neurotoxin, and experts agree that there is no safe level of lead exposure, especially in children. While the FDA monitors food products for lead levels, there are currently no government-mandated limits on lead in consumables. In response to the previous recall, FDA officials initiated a targeted survey of cinnamon products sold in discount stores to assess potential lead contamination.