Consumer Reports tested 36 brands of ground cinnamon products for lead and an alarming 12 out of 36 contained more lead than deemed safe.
In 2023, an outbreak of lead poisoning was traced back to cinnamon in three brands of apple purée pouches. Months later, the Food and Drug Administration advised consumers avoid 17 ground cinnamon products containing lead levels that posed a health threat. Because only one state (New York) in the U.S. regulates lead in spices, compelling Consumer Reports to investigate cinnamon.
Food safety scientists at Consumer Reports found 1/3 of the tested products measured above 1 part per million of lead (the NY threshold to trigger a spice recall). James Rogers, PhD told CR that just a quarter teaspoon at that threshold contains more lead than is healthy to consume in an entire day.
"If you have one of those products, we think you should throw it away," Rogers said, according to CNN.
The results of CR's investigation can be found here, sorted into categories of "Don't Use," "Okay to Use," and "Best to Use," based on the amount of lead each contains.
According to epa.gov, children under six years are most at risk from lead exposure. Lead exposure in children can lead to lowered IQ, brain and nervous system damage, learning and behavioral difficulties, slowed growth, hearing problems and headaches. Adults may suffer from muscle and joint pain, memory and concentration problems, reproductive issues, high blood pressure, hypertension, and nerve disorders.
