This will have a significant impact on many cooks and kitchens. The FDA’s recent announcement regarding potential lead contamination in ground cinnamon products has sparked widespread consumer concern. Consumers should avoid and dispose of affected products, particularly those bearing the Super brand. This development is part of the FDA’s ongoing closer to zero initiative, which aims to reduce toxic exposure. State and federal agencies will continue to monitor cinnamon-containing products.
The FDA’s Health Alert on Cinnamon
In an effort to protect public health, the FDA issued an alert regarding elevated lead levels found in cinnamon brands such as SuperBrand and Asli. Lead poses significant health risks, particularly to children, so consumers must heed these warnings and avoid affected products.
Lead exposure in food products has serious consequences, prompting the FDA to work with state agencies to prevent the further distribution of contaminated goods. This initiative is part of its Closer to Zero program, a coordinated effort to reduce toxic chemicals in food that can harm the most vulnerable, such as children.
We recommended recalls of certain cinnamon products because prolonged exposure to these products may be unsafe. This video goes over what to know about lead in certain ground cinnamon. https://t.co/M33Bj2Yh5q pic.twitter.com/3zI1bO8AdZ
— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) March 8, 2024
Impacted Products
Super Brand is one of the brands under investigation, with lead concentrations of up to 7.68 ppm. Several other brands, such as El Chilar and Marcum, are also being recalled. Consuming contaminated cinnamon may result in elevated blood lead levels, which health officials want to avoid.
“The FDA is advising consumers to throw away and not to buy these ground cinnamon products.” – FDA
The FDA actively tests cinnamon both domestically and at the import level, adding potentially unsafe products to import alert lists to protect consumers. Suppliers are encouraged to conduct voluntary testing to avoid contamination in the supply chain.
FDA issues alert for ground cinnamon brand due to potential lead contamination https://t.co/WND9dCkLFE
— ABC13 Houston (@abc13houston) July 29, 2024
Consumer Safety Measures
Because of their long shelf life, consumers should be wary of implicated products in their kitchens. According to experts, effective nutrition can help mitigate some of the health effects of lead exposure.
“Even small amounts of lead pose a risk because, over time, it can accumulate in the body and remain there for years, seriously damaging health” – James Rogers
This latest FDA alert is the latest chapter in an ongoing effort to ensure consumer safety, with a particular focus on protecting children from toxic elements found in common foods such as ground cinnamon.
Sources:
- FDA issues another warning about cinnamon with elevated levels of lead
- Products Added to FDA Public Health Alert Due to Presence of Elevated Levels of Lead
