The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its public health alert to include more ground cinnamon products due to the presence of elevated levels of lead. This action follows rigorous product testing conducted by state programs and confirmed by the FDA. Consumers are strongly advised to dispose of and refrain from purchasing these products.
Key Points of the Alert:
Elevated Lead Levels Detected: Recent testing has revealed that certain ground cinnamon products contain elevated levels of lead. These products pose a significant health risk, particularly with prolonged exposure, and should be discarded immediately.
Voluntary Recalls: The FDA has recommended that companies voluntarily recall these products. The list of affected products continues to grow as more brands are identified. The FDA will update this alert with information from companies that agree to recall their products.
Ongoing Investigation: The FDA, in collaboration with state partners, is continuing to analyze ground cinnamon samples. This public health alert will be updated as more data becomes available. As of now, no illnesses or adverse events related to these products have been reported.
Background:
This is the third public health alert issued by the FDA this year concerning ground cinnamon, reflecting the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety of food products, especially those frequently consumed by children. The alert recommends recalls of nine brands of ground cinnamon, with lead levels ranging from 2.03 to 7.01 parts per million (ppm). These levels, while lower than those found in the WanaBana cinnamon apple puree and applesauce products recalled in 2023, still present a significant health risk.
The FDA’s targeted assessment and subsequent alerts have been supported by data collected through the Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM), a cooperative agreement with state partners. States including California, Maryland, Missouri, Connecticut, and Virginia, along with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, have contributed to the sampling efforts.
Recommendations for Consumers:
Check and Dispose: Consumers should immediately check their homes for ground cinnamon products and dispose of any items listed in the alert. These products have a long shelf life, so it’s important to verify any ground cinnamon you may have stored.
Do Not Use or Purchase: Avoid using or purchasing ground cinnamon products identified in the alert. The FDA advises against consuming, selling, or serving these products due to the health risks associated with lead exposure.
Seek Medical Advice: If there is any suspicion of lead exposure, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women, contact your healthcare provider for guidance. Although many people may not exhibit immediate symptoms of lead exposure, prolonged ingestion can lead to serious health complications.
Report Adverse Events: If you or someone you know experiences adverse effects or illness after using these products, report it to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program. You can submit reports online, by fax, or by mail.
For more detailed information about this alert and the list of affected products, please visit the FDA’s official MedWatch page.