New FDA warning: Ground cinnamon may contain harmful levels of lead

The Food and Drug Administration issued a new alert about a cinnamon product containing high levels of lead, sold under the brand El Servidor. The FDA found elevated lead levels at 20 parts per million, much higher than the international safety standard of 2.5 parts per million for bark spices like cinnamon. The distributor was asked to voluntarily recall the product, following similar warnings about lead in cinnamon products from Dollar Tree and Family Dollar. The FDA was alerted to the contaminated cinnamon after it was sold in a New York City supermarket. Leigh Frame, a director of integrative medicine, called the recall “alarming” and emphasized the importance of testing food products for dangerous contaminants before people get sick. The FDA advised consumers to stop using the product and throw it away to avoid potential health risks associated with lead exposure, especially for children. High levels of lead can be toxic and cause long-term neurological and developmental problems in children, such as learning disabilities and lower IQ. Frame recommended limiting exposure to cinnamon, especially for young kids, to reduce the risk of lead exposure. Symptoms of lead exposure include headache, abdominal pain, and fatigue. No illnesses were reported in connection with the recalled cinnamon product.

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