(NEXSTAR) — A new investigation by Consumer Reports magazine found that 12 brands of cinnamon powder and multi-spice blends had high levels of lead.
The nonprofit, which rates the safety of various products and services, purchased cinnamon products from 17 stores and online in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York.
Twelve of the 36 products tested by Consumer Reports contained more than 1 part per million of lead, levels high enough to trigger a recall in New York, the only US state that regulates heavy metals in spices, the nonprofit group said.
According to the report, cinnamon powder from Pallas had the highest lead content at 3.52 ppm. Other affected products include:
- EGN Cinnamon Powder (2.91 ppm)
- Earthworm Products Powdered Cinnamon (2.03 ppm)
- Bowl & Basket Ground Cinnamon (1.82 ppm)
- Lani Brand Cinnamon Powder (1.39 ppm)
- Zara Foods Cinnamon Powder (1.27 ppm)
- Three Rivers Cinnamon Stick Powder (1.26 ppm)
- YuE brand five-spice powder (1.25 ppm)
- Bailimine Five Spice Powder (1.15 ppm)
- Spicy King Five Spice Powder (1.05ppm)
- Badia cinnamon powder (1.03 ppm)
- Deep Cinnamon Powder (1.02 ppm)
Pallas and EGN have announced they are pulling their products from stores, and Nexstar has reached out to several other brands for comment, according to Consumer Reports.
The FDA Listed on the website There is no known safe level of exposure to lead.
Lead can cause long-term problems in adults, increasing the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney damage. Lead is especially harmful to children, where it can cause basic intelligence, learning and behavior problems.
“Even small amounts of lead pose a danger because they can accumulate in the body over time, remain there for years and pose serious health risks,” James Rogers, Consumer Reports' director of food safety research and testing, said in the report.
Popular brands that the nonprofit group deemed safer to use include Kirkland Signature Organic Saigon Cinnamon (0.80 ppm), Great Value Ground Cinnamon (0.79 ppm), Trader Joe's Organic Ground Cinnamon (0.69 ppm), McCormick's Cinnamon (0.23 ppm), Sadaf Cinnamon Powder (0.04 ppm) and 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Ground Cinnamon (0.02 ppm).
The new report comes nearly a year after lead-tainted, cinnamon-flavored Wanabana applesauce imported from Ecuador sickened more than 500 children. The recalled applesauce pouches were sold in U.S. supermarkets, Amazon and discount stores such as Dollar Tree.
Since the outbreak, the FDA has been actively monitoring ground cinnamon for lead content and has issued multiple public health alerts, advising consumers to discard it. 10 Cinnamon Products Recalled It may not be safe.
