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Another brand of cinnamon recalled due to ‘high levels’ of lead

Umito November 21, 2024

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FILE – The FDA has issued another health alert regarding ground cinnamon products containing high levels of lead. (David J. Neal/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The United States Food and Drug Administration announced another voluntary recall of cinnamon products due to high lead levels.

The latest voluntary recall is Super Dried Cinnamon Powder 4 oz packaged in a plastic bag and labeled as Super Dried Cinnamon Powder. Super Brand, distributed by IHA Beverage, is primarily sold in retail stores throughout California, but can also be found in a few other retail stores in the United States.

The alert states that the product’s UPC number is 610232012476 and that the nutrition label lists vitamins A and C.

How much lead was found?

The FDA did not say how much lead was in the product, but only said it was discovered during routine testing by the Arkansas Department of Health.

There are currently no FDA limits for heavy metals found in spices. However, the agency has set a limit of 1 part per million of lead in candy that may be consumed by young children.

The American Spice Trade Association, an industry trade group, calls for a maximum of 2 parts per million of lead in bark spices such as cinnamon.

In New York – the only state that regulates heavy metals in spices – the trigger for a recall is greater than 1 part per million of lead.

FDA testing found lead levels ranging from 2 parts per million to 4 parts per million in the recalled cinnamon. That’s far lower than the 2,000 to 5,000 parts per million detected in ground cinnamon from Ecuador that contaminated applesauce packets and triggered a massive recall last year.

How can lead in spices affect health?

No amount of lead is safe, so it should be avoided, health officials said. Since the spices are used in very small quantities, the potential danger from any single use is low, but damage could occur after weeks or months of exposure.

Lead can cause long-term problems in adults, including an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney damage. Lead is particularly harmful to children, where it can cause problems with intelligence, learning, and basic behavior.

A third of cinnamon powders and spice blends tested found elevated levels of lead, according to a September report by Consumer Reports.

Previous Cinnamon Recalls

THE FDA Issues March 2024 Safety Alert for Six Cinnamon Brandsincluding those sold at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores.

On July 25, the agency issued an alert regarding El Servidor brand cinnamon. On July 31, the FDA issued another alert, adding these brands of cinnamon: El Chilar, Marcum, SWAD, Supreme Tradition, Compania Indillor Orientale, ALB Flavor, Shahzada, Spice Class and La Frontera.

The last voluntary recall was issued on November 18.