High Lead Levels Found in Cinnamon and Spice Blends: Consumer Reports

Recent testing by Consumer Reports found dangerous levels of lead in cinnamon and spice blends from 12 different brands. Lead is a toxic metal that can harm health, especially in children, and no level of exposure is considered safe.

Main Findings

Here are the key findings from the report:

• The highest lead levels were found in Paras cinnamon powder, measuring 3.52 parts per million (ppm).
• Other brands with high lead content included:
  • EGN Cinnamon Powder: 2.91 ppm
  • Mimi’s Products Ground Cinnamon: 2.03 ppm
  • ShopRite Bowl & Basket Cinnamon: 1.82 ppm
  • Rani Brand Cinnamon: 1.39 ppm
  • Zara Foods Cinnamon Powder: 1.27 ppm
  • Three Rivers Cinnamon Stick Powder: 1.26 ppm
  • Yu Yee Brand Five Spice Powder: 1.25 ppm
  • BaiLiFeng Five Spice Powder: 1.15 ppm
  • Spicy King Five Spices Powder: 1.05 ppm
  • Badia Cinnamon Powder: 1.03 ppm
  • Deep Cinnamon Powder: 1.02 ppm

Some manufacturers, including Paras and EGN, have decided to halt sales and ask stores to remove these products.

Statements from Companies

Several brands responded to inquiries:

• Mimi’s Products stated their vendor tests showed lead levels below 1 ppm.
• ShopRite Bowl & Basket and Badia emphasized that their cinnamon products meet safety standards.

Lead in Spices: The Regulatory Gaps

• Currently, New York is the only state with strict regulations for lead in spices, issuing recalls for products with lead levels over 1 ppm.
• The FDA has no official regulation for lead in spices, but it is considering a limit of 2.5 ppm for cinnamon in 2024.

The Health Risks of Lead

• According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), no level of lead is safe for humans.
• Lead exposure can have severe health effects, especially in children, such as:
  • Nervous system damage
  • Learning disabilities
  • Growth impairment
  • Hearing problems
  • Anemia
• The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that lead exposure caused nearly 1 million deaths in 2019 and has long-term health consequences globally.

Lead Levels in Other Spice Brands

Consumer Reports also found lower levels of lead in some other brands:

• 365 Whole Foods Market Ground Cinnamon: 0.12 ppm
• Morton & Bassett Organic Cinnamon: 0.04 ppm
• Loisa Organic Cinnamon: 0.04 ppm

These brands had lead levels well below the harmful threshold.

FDA’s Role and Limitations

The FDA has limited authority over recalls and relies on manufacturers to voluntarily pull dangerous products from shelves. Although health alerts have been issued, the lack of strict regulations leaves consumers vulnerable.

Conclusion

While some brands are taking action to recall products with high lead levels, the lack of comprehensive testing and clear regulatory standards poses a risk to consumers. It is essential for consumers to stay informed and cautious about potential lead exposure in their foods.

Sources

• Consumer Reports: Lead testing in spices
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Lead exposure information
• World Health Organization (WHO): Global lead exposure data