Cinnamon Recall as Dire Warning Issued

A cinnamon recall has been issued over concerns about elevated lead levels.

New Jersey-based Colonna Brothers said it was recalling its 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon & 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon products.

In a release shared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the company said the affected products were distributed nationwide but there had been no illnesses reported to date.

According to the release "short term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms" and that increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign of lead exposure.

But it warned of the more serious health impacts of prolonged exposure.

The release said: "The effects depend upon the amount and duration of lead exposure and age/body weight. If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period of time (e.g., weeks to months) permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur.

"This can result in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems. For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects."

Newsweek has contacted Colonna Brothers for comment via the company's website outside of regular office hours.

Any impacted customers have been urged to return the products for a full refund, and the FDA said the company has not violated any federal guidelines or laws or any protocols related to product testing.

In late 2023, a number of apple sauce pouches were removed from sale after more than 60 young children fell ill.

WanaBana, Schnucks-brand and Weis-brand pouches were voluntarily recalled.

In December, the FDA said it was inspecting a production factory in Ecuador in connection with the recalls and that cinnamon samples would undergo lab tests.

The release said that as of December 5, 2023, the FDA "has received 64 reports of adverse events potentially linked to recalled product. To date, confirmed complainants, or people who an adverse event was submitted for, are under 6 years of age."

And on Wednesday, the FDA sent a letter to all cinnamon manufacturers, processors, distributors and facility operators across the U.S. to address concerns over lead levels.

The FDA's deputy commissioner for human foods, Jim Jones, said: "Today's actions serve as a signal to industry that more needs to be done to prevent elevated levels of contaminants from entering our food supply."

"Food growers, manufacturers, importers and retailers share a responsibility for ensuring the safety of the foods that reach store shelves. 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."

Testing had previously found that products sold at six retail chains contained elevated levels of lead.

The agency recommended a voluntary recall of some cinnamon products sold at La Superior SuperMercados; Save A Lot; SF Supermarket; Patel Brothers; Dollar Tree and Family Dollar; and La Joya Morelense.