Several companies across the U.S. have issued recalls of packs of ground cinnamon this week after officials found samples contained elevated concentrations of lead in the product, sparking health concerns.
Four foodstuffs suppliers announced they were recalling batches of the spice on Wednesday. While no illnesses linked to the potential contaminations have been reported, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that ingesting the toxic metal can affect nearly every bodily system.
Exposure to lead can cause, among other conditions, high blood pressure, headaches, stomach cramps and fatigue. Prolonged exposure to lead is associated with kidney and gastrointestinal disfunctions, as well as neurological effects including delayed reaction times, irritability and potentially seizures.
Medical experts say lead poisoning in children can cause permanent developmental issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure in children can damage the brain and nervous system; cause learning, hearing and speech problems; and lower their IQ.
The first recall to be signposted by the FDA was that of North Bergen, New Jersey, firm Colonna Brothers, which said it was recalling two types of ground cinnamon with best before dates across 2025 which were distributed nationwide.
The FDA said the company had voluntarily ceased the production and distribution of all its cinnamon products and had not violated any federal rules. "The recall was the result of a targeted sampling program of discount brands by the FDA, following heightened sensitivity around cinnamon," the agency said.
The same day, Apopka, Florida, company El Chilar Rodriguez issued a recall of 1,524 1.25-ounce bags of its "Canela Molida" ground cinnamon.
The FDA said the products were distributed to retail stores within Maryland and the recall was initiated after sample testing by the Maryland Department of Health, which found "the problem might be caused by potentially adulterated raw material from the supplier."
On Thursday, the FDA said that Raja Foods, of Skokie, Illinois, had issued a recall of two batches of its 3.5-ounce bags of Swad brand cinnamon with best-before dates of March and July 2026.
The company said the product had been distributed through grocery stores across the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast, and had been recalled following routine FDA sampling.
On Friday, the FDA posted another announcement by La Fiesta Food Products, of La Mirada, California, recalling its 0.87-ounce bags of ground cinnamon because of the same issue identified through FDA testing.
The affected product was distributed to retail stores in Arizona, California, Texas and Washington from April 20, 2023, through to May 3, 2023.
Newsweek approached La Fiesta Food Products, Raja Foods and El Chilar Rodriguez via email for comment on Sunday. Colonna Brothers has yet to respond to a previous request.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Aleks Phillips is a Newsweek U.S. News Reporter based in London. His focus is on U.S. politics and the environment. ... Read more
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