High lead levels detected in 12 cinnamon powder brands across the US

PTC News Desk: Cinnamon is a widely used spice, known for its sweet, woody flavor that enhances everything from baked goods to savory dishes like soups and chicken. However, recent findings by Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organisation focused on consumer safety, reveal that some cinnamon products may not be as safe as they seem. The organization tested 36 ground cinnamon powders and multi-spice blends containing cinnamon, such as garam masala and five-spice powder, and found alarmingly high levels of lead in 12 of them.

The spices, sourced from 17 stores in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and online, were analyzed by food safety scientists. Shockingly, 12 of the products tested had lead levels exceeding 1 part per million (ppm), a threshold used by New York State as a guideline for recalling food products.

According to James Rogers, PhD, director of food safety research at Consumer Reports, just a quarter teaspoon of these contaminated products contains more lead than the amount considered safe for an entire day. “Even small amounts of lead pose a risk because, over time, it can accumulate in the body and remain there for years, seriously harming health,” Rogers warned.

Long-term lead exposure has been linked to numerous health problems, including damage to the immune system, kidney damage, hypertension, and reproductive issues.

Here are the 12 cinnamon and spice products flagged by Consumer Reports for excessive lead content:

• Paras Cinnamon Powder (3.52 ppm)
• EGN Cinnamon Powder (2.91 ppm)
• Mimi's Products Ground Cinnamon (2.03 ppm)
• Bowl & Basket Ground Cinnamon (1.82 ppm)
• Rani Brand Ground Cinnamon (1.39 ppm)
• Zara Foods Cinnamon Powder (1.27 ppm)
• Three Rivers Cinnamon Stick Powder (1.26 ppm)
• Yu Yee Brand Five Spice Powder (1.25 ppm)
• BaiLiFeng Five Spice Powder (1.15 ppm)
• Spicy King Five Spices Powder (1.05 ppm)
• Badia Cinnamon Powder (1.03 ppm)
• Deep Cinnamon Powder (1.02 ppm)

Consumer Reports advises people to avoid these products due to the high health risks associated with lead exposure.

Fortunately, the study also identified several cinnamon products with little to no lead contamination. The 6 safest cinnamon products include:

• 365 Whole Foods Market Ground Cinnamon (0.12 ppm)
• 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Ground Cinnamon (0.02 ppm)
• Loisa Organic Cinnamon (0.04 ppm)
• Morton & Bassett San Francisco Organic Ground Cinnamon (0.04 ppm)
• Sadaf Cinnamon Powder (0.04 ppm)
• Sadaf Seven Spice Blend (0.15 ppm)

“These products show that it’s possible to produce cinnamon with no lead or extremely low levels,” Rogers emphasised, urging consumers to prioritise safety when selecting their spices.

- With inputs from agencies

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