Tainted Cinnamon from India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam Ignites Health Fears

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CALIFORNIA, Mar 9: Several discount retailers in the U.S. have initiated recalls of ground cinnamon packages due to contamination concerns with high levels of lead, following a safety alert issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recall encompasses six brands of cinnamon, notably those retailed at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores. This action comes in the wake of extensive recalls last autumn involving WanaBana and other cinnamon applesauce pouch brands, associated with nearly 500 cases of lead poisoning in young children across 44 states. Subsequently, the FDA conducted tests on retail samples of spices to ascertain the presence of contamination in other products. These recalls have sparked inquiries into the safety of cinnamon, a commonly used spice in American households.

Where did the recalled cinnamon come from?
The source of the recalled cinnamon is unclear, as is where it was produced, FDA officials said. Cinnamon in the U.S. is imported from many places, including India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia.

However, the agency said there’s no reason to believe that the recalled cinnamon came from the same Ecuadorian supplier implicated in the contaminated applesauce pouches.

How does lead get into cinnamon?
Many foods, including spices, contain lead from natural sources such as soil and water, said Karen Everstine, technical director for FoodchainID, a company that tracks food supply chains.

Spices can accumulate lead from other sources in the environment, such as leaded gasoline or other pollution. Some lead in spices may come from manufacturing, storage or shipping processes.

In some cases, spices have been mixed with substances, including lead, to boost color or weight, increasing the value of the product. FDA officials have said that the applesauce pouches may have been intentionally contaminated for this type of economic reason.

How can lead in spices affect health?
No amount of lead is safe, so it should be avoided, health officials said. Because spices are used in such small amounts, the potential harm of any single use is small, but damage could occur after weeks or months of exposure.

Lead can cause long-term problems in adults, including greater risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and kidney damage. Lead is especially harmful to children, where it can cause problems with basic intelligence, learning and behavior.

How can I avoid lead in my spices?
It can be difficult, if not impossible, to know whether spices on grocery shelves are contaminated with lead or other toxins, Everstine said.

Consumers should buy spices from companies that have publicly said they monitor their sources. They have a vested interest in protecting their brands, she said.

That can be tough, especially when grocery prices — including spices — remain high. But this is an instance when it might be worth it.

“Be skeptical of prices that appear too good to be true. It costs money to control your supply chain,” she said. “If you have cinnamon that is a quarter of the price of another cinnamon, why is that?”

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