FDA finds lead contamination in certain ground cinnamon products, asks manufacturers to voluntarily recall items

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found elevated lead levels in six brands of ground cinnamon spice, months after the agency recalled lead-tainted applesauce pouches last fall.

The FDA on Wednesday Said Six brands of ground cinnamon contained levels of lead that were dangerous to humans, especially if exposed for long periods of time.

According to the FDA, these products are sold under the names Markham, MK, La Fiesta, Swad, Supreme Tradition, and El Chiral, and are sold at Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Patel Brothers, and Save-A-Lot. It is said to be sold at retail stores such as.

The agency advised consumers not to buy these products and throw them away, and also asked manufacturers to voluntarily recall the products.

“Removing the powdered cinnamon products included in this warning from the market will prevent these products from adding large amounts of lead to children’s diets,” the FDA said.

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar spokespeople told The Associated Press that Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores have removed cinnamon from their shelves and customers can return the product for a refund.

The FDA said no illnesses or adverse events have been reported with the product.

The recall comes months after the FDA announced that WanaBana USA was voluntarily recalling three brands of applesauce due to reports of elevated lead levels. This was discovered after the child’s routine blood tests showed a spike in blood lead levels.

The contamination was linked to applesauce pouches produced in Ecuador and sold in U.S. supermarkets, Amazon, Dollar Tree and other stores. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February report 468 cases in 44 states.

Lead is a neurotoxin and there is scientific consensus that there are no safe levels of lead for humans, especially young children. Although the FDA monitors lead levels in foods, the U.S. government does not limit lead levels in products, the Associated Press noted.

Following last fall’s recall, FDA officials began a “targeted investigation” of cinnamon products sold at discount stores, the Associated Press added.