A recent report by Consumer Reports revealed dangerous levels of lead in 12 brands of cinnamon and spice blends. Lead is a toxic metal that can seriously harm health, especially in children, and no amount of lead is considered safe for human consumption.
Brands with High Lead Levels
The report found the following brands with the highest lead content:
- Paras Cinnamon Powder: 3.52 parts per million (ppm)
- EGN Cinnamon Powder: 2.91 ppm
- Mimi’s Products Ground Cinnamon: 2.03 ppm
- ShopRite Bowl & Basket Ground Cinnamon: 1.82 ppm
- Rani Brand Cinnamon Powder: 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
Both Paras and EGN have stopped selling their products and requested retailers to pull the affected items from their shelves.
Company Responses
Some companies responded to the findings:
- Mimi’s Products stated that their vendor tests showed lead levels below 1 ppm.
- ShopRite and Badia assured customers that their products meet all safety and quality standards.
Why Lead in Spices is Concerning
Lead is a toxic metal, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stresses that no level of lead is safe for humans. Exposure to even small amounts of lead can cause health problems, especially in children, including:
- Damage to the nervous system
- Learning disabilities
- Growth issues
- Hearing problems
- Anemia
Current Regulations
At present, only New York State has strict rules about lead in spices, recalling products with lead levels above 1 ppm. The FDA is considering setting a limit of 2.5 ppm for lead in cinnamon and other bark spices, but this regulation won’t come into effect until 2024.
Lead Levels in Other Brands
The testing also found lower levels of lead in some popular brands, including:
- 365 Whole Foods Market Ground Cinnamon: 0.12 ppm
- Morton & Bassett Organic Cinnamon: 0.04 ppm
- Loisa Organic Cinnamon: 0.04 ppm
These brands showed much lower levels of lead, well below dangerous thresholds.
FDA’s Limitations
While the FDA can issue public health alerts, it doesn’t have the power to force companies to recall products with high lead levels. Manufacturers are not required to regularly test their products for lead or other heavy metals, leaving consumers at risk.
Conclusion
The recent findings highlight the importance of being cautious when buying spices, especially cinnamon. Without strict regulations, it’s essential for consumers to stay informed about potential health risks from products containing heavy metals like lead.
Sources
- Consumer Reports: Testing of spices for lead contamination
- EPA: Lead exposure risks and health impacts
- WHO: Global health risks associated with lead exposure