Another cinnamon brand recalled over 'elevated levels' of lead

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FILE - The FDA issued another health alert about ground cinnamon products with elevated levels of lead. (David J. Neal/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced another voluntary recall of cinnamon products due to elevated levels of lead.

The latest voluntarily recall is Super Cinnamon Powder 4oz packaged in a plastic bag and labeled as Super Dried Cinnamon Powder. Super Brand, distributed by IHA Beverage, is primarily sold in retail stores throughout California, but can also be found at a few other retail stores across the U.S.

The alert said the product's UPC number is 610232012476, and the nutrition facts label lists vitamins A and C.

Recalled cinnamon (FDA)

How much lead was found?

The FDA didn’t say how much lead was in the product, only that it was discovered through routine testing at the Arkansas Department of Health.

There is currently no FDA limit for heavy metals in spices. However, the agency has set a limit of 1 part per million of lead in candy likely to be consumed by small children.

The American Spice Trade Association, an industry trade group, calls for no more than 2 parts per million of lead in bark spices such as cinnamon.

In New York – the only state that regulates heavy metals in spices – the trigger for a recall is above 1 part per million of lead.

FDA tests found lead levels ranging from 2 parts per million to 4 parts per million in the recalled cinnamon. That’s far lower than the 2,000 to 5,000 parts per million detected in the ground cinnamon from Ecuador that contaminated applesauce pouches and sparked a massive recall last year.

How can lead in spices affect health?

No amount of lead is safe, so it should be avoided, health officials said. Because spices are used in such small amounts, the potential harm of any single use is small, but damage could occur after weeks or months of exposure.

Lead can cause long-term problems in adults, including greater risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney damage. Lead is especially harmful to children, where it can cause problems with basic intelligence, learning and behavior.

A third of cinnamon powders and spice mixtures tested were found to have elevated levels of lead, according to a September report published by Consumer Reports.

Previous cinnamon recalls

The FDA issued a safety alert in March 2024 for six brands of cinnamon, including those sold at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores.

On July 25, the agency issued an alert for El Servidor brand cinnamon. On July 31, the FDA issued another alert, adding these brands of cinnamon: El Chilar, Marcum, SWAD, Supreme Tradition, Compania Indillor Orientale, ALB Flavor, Shahzada, Spice Class and La Frontera.

The latest voluntary recall was issued Nov. 18.