Ground Cinnamon Recall

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled certain ground cinnamon due to elevated lead levels. This stems from a targeted survey of ground cinnamon from discount stores after the recall of cinnamon apple puree and applesauce pouches. The recall includes ground cinnamon from 6 distributors.

What ground cinnamon products are recalled?

The brand names include La Fiesta, Marcum, MK, Swad, Supreme Tradition, and El Chilar. Above are images of these ground cinnamon brands. If you have this brand of ground cinnamon, review the list of distributors, retailers, lots/codes, and “best by” dates included in the recall. There have not been any reported illnesses or adverse events associated with these recalled cinnamon products. The survey showed these products had elevated lead levels ranging from 2.03 to 3.4 parts per million (ppm).

What do you need to do about this recall?

First, check your pantry for the ground cinnamon brands listed above. If you have any of these brands, look for specific recalled cinnamon HERE. If your cinnamon matches any of the lots/codes or “best by” dates included in the recall, you should stop using it and throw it away. 

This recall is out of an abundance of caution and regulation. It’s likely that with the sporadic use of these brands of ground cinnamon, there will be minimal clinical issues related to lead. My concern would be the routine ingestion of contaminated brands, as the lead exposure would be compounded. Precautions in food safety are needed, and thus, the recall is a good step in the regulation of ground spices, mainly those imported from outside the U.S. It is not new information that some manufacturers of spices can cut corners in the production process, so oversight IS needed.

What should you do if you or your child consumed any of these brands of ground cinnamon?

Of note, lead exposure typically has no immediate symptoms; however, long-term exposure can cause developmental concerns. If your child is not meeting their milestones or has regressions from any previous milestones, then it’s always important to talk with your child’s clinician. Does this automatically mean lead is the reason? No. But, it may be a factor that is discussed and routine labs may be performed. In the United States, we routinely check lead levels at one year and 18 months, but if you are concerned for any reason, it’s always best to speak with your child’s clinician.

A blood test can be used to test for lead. A finger-prick or heel-prick only requires a small amount of blood from a finger, heel, or arm. Generally, the cost of lead testing is covered by many private insurance companies and children enrolled in Medicaid.

Why is lead concerning?

Lead is relatively common in our environment. It is present in the soil, water, industrial spaces, and manufacturing processes, which is how lead ends up in many different foods, including spices. The amount of lead in food depends on how much is in the environment and how much is absorbed into the food.

We know that babies and children are considered vulnerable because lead exposure can affect the developing brain and nervous system, leading to developmental, learning, or behavioral concerns. But, remember that the goal is to keep lead exposure low or minimal and understand that it is a naturally occurring element in our environment.

There is no known safe level of lead exposure. Since lead exposure is, in a sense, inevitable, we are still trying to find out how much is too much. The FDA is continuously working to limit the levels of contaminants, including arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, in foods eaten by babies and children in the Closer to Zero project.

Should you avoid ground cinnamon or ground spices altogether?

Social media misinformation has entered the chat. Whenever there is a recall, people on social media get on their soapboxes, talking about how all ground store-bought spices are a threat and to grind them yourself or use them fresh. From an exposure standpoint, it’s true that freshly ground cinnamon will likely pose less of a threat to lead exposure than manufactured ground cinnamon. Still, it’s not sustainable for some families to grind their own spices every time they need it. So, it comes down to choosing a brand you trust and making decisions based on your resources.

A few notes for parents…

Not all contaminants, including lead, can be completely avoided. Food absorbs important and healthy nutrients from the environment while simultaneously absorbing unavoidable contaminants. This is true for store-bought or home-cooked foods. It’s best to reduce the consumption of foods with known high levels of lead and include a variety of foods in your child’s diet. All food groups are important, and spices can be important, too! Generally, the FDA considers ground cinnamon to be safe.

Recalls happen, and any product has the risk of recall. It’s best to choose trusted brands with integrity. 

A personal story: Swad is a very common brand in Indian stores, so I am familiar with and trust it. My family has used Swad products in the past. But even trusted brands will occasionally have recalls.

I approach these situations with an understanding that we are doing our best with the information and resources we have at the current moment. We can’t always predict these recalls so we do our best and gravitate towards brands and stores that we feel have a record of safety. But, it’s not always perfect. And part of living in a “world of recalls” is not beating ourselves up if a brand we use or trust in good faith ends up being recalled.

Check out the PedsDocTalk Turmeric Milk blog post for a few more safety precautions when it comes to spices, supplements, and home remedies! I use cinnamon in my turmeric milk/golden milk recipe, so this recall is an important discussion on this topic.

Remember that recalls are to protect the health of people, especially children. For example, the lead contamination discovered in pouches was further investigated by the FDA, which also expanded into additional testing of other cinnamon products. The FDA has also sent a letter to other cinnamon manufacturers and distributors to remind them of the quality controls necessary to prevent contamination. This helps to keep companies accountable for their products.

When a recall happens, it’s key to:

• Seek information from a reputable source

• Not go down the rabbit hole of “everything we consume is doomed”

• Take action by disposing of recalled products as recommended

• Follow up with your child’s clinician with any personal medical concerns

On The Podcast

The goal of parenting should be to foster the growth and development of the child in front of us, and part of this is guiding them through experiences and things that may make them more anxious. I welcome Dr. Melissa Giglio, a child clinical psychologist, author, and director of a private practice in Hong Kong.

We discuss:

• How we can nurture bravery and confidence in our children

• Strategies to “push’ our child in healthy ways

• Ways to validate their experience as they grow through new situations

Ask Dr. Mona

An opportunity for YOU to ask Dr. Mona your parenting questions!

Dr. Mona will answer these questions in a future Sunday Morning Q&A email. Chances are if you have a parenting concern or question, another parent can relate. So let's figure this out together!