Seema Khaneja MD
Updated on: October 10, 2024 8:14 pm GMT
Cinnamon, a staple in many households for baking and seasoning, is currently under scrutiny due to alarming findings from a recent investigation by Consumer Reports. The report revealed that high levels of lead were present in ground cinnamon and spice powders from multiple brands, raising health concerns for consumers who enjoy these products in their daily meals.
Lead Contamination Detected in Major Brands
Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization dedicated to consumer safety, tested various cinnamon and spice products and detected lead levels exceeding 1 part per million (ppm) in 12 brands. This threshold is particularly significant, as it matches the recall level set by New York state authorities. The affected brands include Paras, EGN, Mimi’s Products, Bowl & Basket, Rani Brand, Zara Foods, Three Rivers, Yu Yee Brand, BaiLiFeng, Spicy King, Badia, and Deep. These findings have prompted strong warnings from food safety experts who advise consumers to eliminate these products from their homes.
According to James Rogers, the director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports, even a quarter teaspoon of these cinnamon products contains more lead than the recommended daily limit for consumption. If you have one of those products, we think you should throw it away,” Rogers emphasized, highlighting the potential long-term health risks associated with lead exposure.
Health Risks of Lead Exposure
Lead exposure is known to have serious health implications for both adults and children. The Mayo Clinic warns that frequent exposure can lead to immune system suppression, reproductive problems, kidney damage, mood disorders, cognitive issues, and hypertension in adults. For children, the effects can include slower growth and development, behavioral issues, seizures, and other physical symptoms.
The report indicated that Paras cinnamon powder exhibited the highest lead content at 3.52 ppm, raising significant concerns about its safety for consumers. Other brands listed by Consumer Reports also contained troubling levels of lead, prompting a call for immediate action to protect public health.
Brand Responses and Safety Measures
In response to the findings, several companies have taken measures to address the issue. Paras and EGN announced plans to halt sales of their cinnamon products and withdraw them from store shelves. Meanwhile, Deep and Yu Yee Brand reported that they had either conducted tests on their products or relied on tests from their suppliers to ensure safety. However, the manufacturer of Mimi’s Products, NAC Foods, disputed the findings, claiming that their analytical reports indicated lead levels were below the state’s threshold.
Wakefern Food Corp., the parent company of ShopRite’s Bowl & Basket, reassured consumers that the quality of their products is a top priority and that their cinnamon meets all established safety standards. Similarly, a spokesperson from Badia Spices confirmed that their ground cinnamon products comply with all federal and international regulations.
Trusted Cinnamon Brands
Despite the troubling results from numerous brands, Consumer Reports identified several cinnamon and spice products that are deemed safe for consumption. Brands like McCormick, Kirkland Signature organic Saigon cinnamon, Great Value, Trader Joe’s organic ground cinnamon, Good & Gather, Simply Organic, 365 Whole Foods Market, and Sadaf cinnamon powder were reported to have lead levels well below the harmful threshold.
- McCormick cinnamon – 0.23 ppm
- Kirkland Signature organic Saigon cinnamon – 0.80 ppm
- Great Value ground cinnamon – 0.79 ppm
- Trader Joe’s organic ground cinnamon – 0.69 ppm
- Good & Gather ground cinnamon – 0.56 ppm
- Simply Organic cinnamon – 0.28 ppm
- 365 Whole Foods Market ground cinnamon – 0.12 ppm
- 365 Whole Foods Market organic ground cinnamon – 0.02 ppm
- Sadaf cinnamon powder – 0.04 ppm
Manufacturers of these safe brands have expressed their commitment to quality and safety. McCormick stated that it actively monitors environmental conditions that may lead to the presence of heavy metals. Similarly, Simply Organic conducts thorough inspections and testing for every shipment to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Ongoing Concerns for Consumers
This report comes in the wake of previous incidents related to lead exposure in food products, such as the recall of applesauce pouches last year that resulted in over 500 children experiencing lead poisoning. The consistent detection of lead in popular spices emphasizes the need for more stringent testing and consumer awareness regarding food safety.
In light of these findings, consumers are encouraged to exercise caution when selecting cinnamon products. The Consumer Reports investigation has shed light on the importance of product safety in everyday items, reinforcing the mantra that it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to food consumption.
If you want to learn more about food safety, check out Consumer Reports.
