Lead Found in More Ground Cinnamon Products, FDA Takes Action

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in White Oak, Md., on June 5, 2023. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

In a new safety warning about contaminated food products, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration identified six cinnamon products in the U.S. containing lead.

Last fall, the FDA recalled thousands of cinnamon applesauce products also contaminated with lead. As a result, the agency has implemented preventive measures to ensure such contaminations do not threaten the health and safety of people again.

Products to Discard

Cinnamon has a long shelf life, so it’s crucial to check your home supply if you typically purchase the affected brands. Refer to the dates or lot numbers to identify products potentially tainted with lead.

• La Fiesta: Lot code 25033
• Marcum: Best by Oct. 16, 2025, or April 6, 2025
• MK: No codes
• Swad: Lot code KX21223
• Supreme Tradition: Best by Sept. 29, 2025, April 17, 2025, Dec. 19, 2025, April 12, 2025, Aug. 24, 2025, April 21, 2025, or Sept. 9, 2022
• El Chilar: Lot numbers F275EX1026 or D300EX1024

These products are often found at retailers like La Superior SuperMercados, Save A Lot, SF Supermarket, Patel Brothers, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, and La Joya Morelense. The FDA has recommended that the manufacturers of these cinnamon products voluntarily recall them.

“Food growers, manufacturers, importers and retailers share a responsibility for ensuring the safety of the foods that reach store shelves,” Jim Jones, the FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Human Foods, said in a statement. “The levels of lead we found in some ground cinnamon products are too high and we must do better to protect those most vulnerable to the negative health outcomes of exposure to elevated levels of lead.”

Story continues below advertisement

The FDA noted that while the lead levels in these cinnamon products—ranging from 2.03 to 3.4 parts per million (ppm)—are significantly lower than the lead levels in the recalled applesauce pouches (2,000 to nearly 5,000 ppm) removed from the U.S. market last fall, prolonged use could still be unsafe.

FDA Bolsters Safety Measures

After issuing a safety alert, the FDA is implementing further measures to address the elevated lead levels found in cinnamon products.

These steps include reminding all parties involved in the food supply chain to adhere to the federal agency’s best practices guidelines.

Additionally, the FDA continues testing products nationwide for chemicals posing risks to human health, such as inorganic arsenic, chromium, or lead.

Under current laws, manufacturers are not required to test final products for contaminants before entering the U.S. market. However, in its most recent advisory, the FDA stated its push for Congress to pass legislation mandating such testing.

Story continues below advertisement

“ The FDA and industry share a common goal of ensuring the safety of food, but more can and must be done,” the agency stated in its news release.

FDA Warns of Subtle Lead Poisoning Risks

While no illnesses related to the six different cinnamon products have been reported as of now, the FDA noted it is crucial to remain cautious. Symptoms of lead poisoning are often difficult to detect and may not appear until dangerously high levels accumulate.

In children, common signs and symptoms of lead poisoning can include sluggishness, fatigue, vomiting, irritability, loss of appetite, hearing loss, constipation, seizures, and pica (eating non-food items). For adults, lead poisoning can cause high blood pressure, joint and muscle pain, mood disorders, headaches, and reproductive issues.

If you believe you or someone in your household has been exposed to elevated lead levels, consult a health care professional as soon as possible. Most people do not exhibit obvious immediate symptoms of lead exposure.

The FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program encourages doctors, patients, and consumers to report complaints, exposures, or adverse events related to these products.