Cinnamon and Spices: Beware of Lead Contamination

Cinnamon and Spices: Lead Safety Alert

If you have cinnamon or spice blends living in your pantry, it might be time to reassess. Recent testing by Consumer Reports found that 12 ground cinnamon powders and spice blends contain lead levels exceeding 1 part per million (ppm). This exceeds safe exposure thresholds set by the Environmental Protection Agency, which deems that threshold to be zero.

Brands with Lead Contamination

Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warnings about six brands of ground cinnamon associated with excessive lead levels. These warnings have now expanded to include additional cinnamon powders and products like fruit puree pouches containing cinnamon. The FDA has requested retailers to voluntarily recall these products, but compliance is not mandatory.

Identified High Lead Levels

• Paras Cinnamon Powder
• EGN Cinnamon Powder
• Mimi's Products Ground Cinnamon
• ShopRight Bowl & Basket Ground Cinnamon
• Rani Brand Ground Cinnamon
• Zara Foods Cinnamon Powder
• Three Rivers Cinnamon Stick Powder
• Yu Yee Brand Five Spice Powder
• BaiLiFeng Five Spice Powder
• Spicy King Five Spices Powder
• Badia Cinnamon Powder
• Deep Cinnamon Powder

While consumer testing by Consumer Reports does not automatically trigger a formal recall, both the Paras and EGN brands have pledged to cooperate with retailers in removing their contaminated cinnamon powders from store shelves.

Safe Cinnamon Alternatives

Despite the alert regarding the contaminated brands, safe alternatives are available. If you are wondering which cinnamon powders are safe to use, consider:

• Sadaf Seven Spice
• 365 Whole Foods Market Ground Cinnamon
• Loisa Organic Cinnamon
• Morten & Bassett San Francisco 100% Organic Ground Cinnamon
• Sadaf Cinnamon Powder
• 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Ground Cinnamon

Additionally, using smaller quantities (between 0.25 and 1 teaspoon) of various cinnamon blends from brands like Great Value, Penzeys, Ziyad Brand, Trader Joe's, and others is deemed safe.