Consumer Reports Just Found Lead in 12 Cinnamon Products

Cinnamon is a beloved spice that can be found in recipes across a variety of cuisines. Its warm and comforting flavor is a popular addition to everything from cinnamon buns to coffee and even some savory stews. However, a recent report from Consumer Reports showed that the pantry staple has been found to contain high levels of lead. 

Consumer Reports tested 36 ground cinnamon products and spice blends like five-spice powder and garam masala, which also contain cinnamon. Out of the 36 products, there were 12 that measured above New York’s threshold for the maximum levels of heavy metals in spices.
New York is currently the only state in the U.S. to regulate heavy metals in spices, although the U.S. Food & Drug Administration does take action against products with excessive heavy metals on a case-by-case basis as seen in the agency’s recall of ground cinnamon products over the summer. 

Some of the brands that were deemed unsafe include Bowl & Basket, Rani Brand, Zara Foods and Badia. The products that contain the lowest risk include 365 Whole Foods Market Ground Cinnamon, 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Ground Cinnamon, Loisa Organic Cinnamon, Morton & Bassett San Francisco Organic Ground Cinnamon, Sadaf Cinnamon Powder and Sadaf Seven Spice blend. These products were found to have lower levels of lead or no lead at all, making them a much safer option in comparison to the rest. 

While short-term exposure to lead may not cause any symptoms, chronic lead exposure over time can have harmful effects. Children are more vulnerable due to their size and metabolism. Lead exposure in young children can cause permanent damage to their nervous system, leading to developmental defects, learning disorders and other long-term health problems. In adults, it can cause kidney dysfunction, neurocognitive issues and hypertension. 

James Rogers, Ph.D., director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports recommends throwing away the unsafe products, stating that “Just a quarter teaspoon of any of those products has more lead than you should consume in an entire day.” Consumer Reports also recommends sticking with mainstream brands and using caution when adding cinnamon to your diet in high amounts.