Consumer Reports magazine has found alarming levels of lead in about one-third of the ground cinnamon products tested, according to a report published on Thursday.
The study revealed that as little as a quarter teaspoon of certain cinnamon-containing spices could surpass the daily limit of lead that is considered safe for consumption. Lead exposure, even in minimal amounts, poses serious health risks due to its ability to accumulate in the body over time, warned James Rogers, Director of Food Safety Research and Testing at Consumer Reports.
“Even small amounts of lead pose a risk because it can build up in the body and remain there for years, causing significant harm to health,” Rogers stated in a press release.
Lead poisoning typically occurs after months or years of exposure to the heavy metal, and most individuals do not exhibit immediate or obvious symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs such as abdominal pain and headaches usually surface only after lead levels become dangerously high.
Consumer Reports’ study involved testing 36 ground cinnamon products and spice blends containing cinnamon. The brands included a variety of mainstream and lesser-known names from stores that cater to international cuisine. The spices were purchased from 17 different locations in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and online.
Of the 36 cinnamon products tested, 12 were flagged as potentially harmful due to their elevated lead content, the magazine reported. However, several brands showed promising results. The six brands that posed the lowest risk in the study included 365 Whole Foods Market Ground Cinnamon, 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Ground Cinnamon, Loisa Organic Cinnamon, Morton & Bassett San Francisco Organic Ground Cinnamon, Sadaf Cinnamon Powder, and Sadaf Seven Spice Blend.
“These products demonstrate that it’s possible to produce cinnamon with no lead or extremely low levels,” Rogers said.
Eighteen other products tested were deemed safe for use, including popular brands like Penzeys, Trader Joe’s, Good & Gather, Morton & Bassett San Francisco, McCormick, Kirkland Signature, and Simply Organic.
Consumer Reports initiated the study after a lead poisoning incident involving 500 children who fell ill after consuming apple puree pouches last year. This prompted an investigation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
So far in 2024, the FDA has issued three public health alerts regarding elevated lead levels in cinnamon. The agency first began raising concerns in March when six brands were found to have potentially unsafe lead levels due to prolonged exposure.
Given the long shelf life of cinnamon, the FDA advises consumers to check their homes for any affected products and to avoid eating, selling, or serving food containing those products.
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