FDA Warns About Certain Ground Cinnamon Due to Lead Concerns
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found a serious problem. Some ground cinnamons have too much lead in them. This is not good, especially for kids. Even though these cinnamons are not just for children, they are used in foods that kids might eat.
The FDA says it’s not safe to eat these cinnamons for a long time. So, they are asking stores to take them back and not sell them anymore. This will keep children from eating too much lead.
Here is a list of cinnamon products the FDA is worried about:
- La Fiesta Food Products: La Fiesta brand with the lot code 25033 has a lead level of 2.73 parts per million (ppm).
- Moran Foods, LLC: Marcum brand sold at Save A Lot with best by dates and codes listed, has lead levels ranging from 2.70 to 3.20 ppm.
- MTCI: MK brand with no codes has a lead level of 2.99 ppm.
- Raja Foods LLC: Swad brand sold at Patel Brothers, lot KX21223, has a lead level of 2.12 ppm.
- Greenbriar International, Inc.: Supreme Tradition brand sold at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, with various best by dates and codes, has lead levels between 2.03 and 3.37 ppm.
- El Chilar: El Chilar brand, with specific codes for Maryland, has lead levels ranging from 2.93 to 3.40 ppm.
If you have these cinnamons, the FDA says you should throw them away and not buy them. The FDA has tried to tell MTCI about the problem but hasn’t been able to get in touch with them.
On a different note, the FDA found out that some cinnamon applesauce for kids had too much lead because someone added something called lead chromate on purpose. They did this to make the spices weigh more and look prettier, which makes them worth more money.
Because of this issue with the applesauce, a lot of kids might have eaten too much lead. The CDC says there are 468 patients in 44 states who might be affected. So, if a child had this applesauce, they should see a doctor and get tested for lead in their blood.
The FDA and people in Ecuador – where the applesauce came from – are still looking into this. They are trying to find out exactly where the problem started and if any other products might be unsafe.
Remember, lead is not good for our bodies, especially for kids. If you’re worried that your child might have eaten these cinnamon products, talk to your doctor right away. Symptoms of lead poisoning can include headaches, feeling tired, stomach pain, and more. It can even slow down a child’s growth and hurt their brain if they have too much lead for too long.
So be sure to check your kitchen and make sure you don’t have any of these cinnamon products at home. Let’s keep our food safe and healthy for everyone!