Lead Laced Cinnamon: What You Need to Know
Cinnamon is a staple spice in many households, and for good reason. Not only does it add flavor to a variety of dishes, but it’s also packed with antioxidants and has been shown to have several health benefits. However, recent investigations have raised some concerns about the safety of cinnamon, specifically regarding lead contamination.
What’s the Big Deal About Lead in Cinnamon?
Lead is a toxic substance that can cause a range of health problems, from mild to severe. Even small amounts of lead can accumulate in the body over time, posing a risk to our overall health. For young children and pregnant women, even minimal exposure to lead can have serious consequences. So, what’s the issue with lead in cinnamon? A study by Consumer Reports tested 36 ground cinnamon products and spice blends, revealing that 12 contained lead levels exceeding 1 part per million (ppm). Notably, some brands had 3 times that amount of lead. These concentrations seem alarming, and it’s no wonder that many people are questioning the safety of their spices.
Brands to Avoid: Cinnamon with High Lead Levels
The following brands were found to have high lead levels in their products:
- 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
The FDA Weighs In
The FDA has also weighed in on the issue of lead in cinnamon. Although there’s currently no federal limit for lead in cinnamon or other spices, the agency has warned consumers to avoid certain ground cinnamon products due to high lead levels. With levels above 2 ppm, they approach or surpass limits proposed by the European Union. However, the FDA has not specifically said what level would trigger an alert or recall on cinnamon. Instead, those decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
The Good News: Safe Cinnamon Options
On a positive note, the same Consumer Reports study identified six products with minimal lead content. These findings suggest that safe options exist for those who want to enjoy cinnamon without extensive exposure to lead.
Cinnamons with Minimal Lead Levels
The following brands were found to have minimal lead levels in their products:
- Happy Belly Ground Cinnamon – 0.87 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
- Kirkland Signature Organic Saigon Cinnamon – 0.80 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
- Great Value Ground Cinnamon – 0.79 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
- Penzeys Ceylon Cinnamon – 0.78 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
- Ziyad Brand Premium Seven Spice Blend – 0.73 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
- Trader Joe’s Organic Ground Cinnamon – 0.69 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
- The Spice Lab Organic Ground Cinnamon – 0.60 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
- Good & Gather Ground Cinnamon – 0.56 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
- Morton & Bassett San Francisco Ground Cinnamon – 0.55 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
- Penzeys Vietnamese Cinnamon – 0.55 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
- Swad Garam Masala Powder – 0.40 ppm (Up to ½ tsp. daily)
- Penzeys Ground Cinnamon – 0.37 ppm (Up to ½ tsp. daily)
- Wei-Chuan Five Spice Powder – 0.36 ppm (Up to ½ tsp. daily)
- Natural Plus Green Five Spices Powder – 0.35 ppm (Up to ½ tsp. daily)
- Simply Organic Cinnamon – 0.28 ppm (Up to ¾ tsp. daily)
- Shan Garam Masala Powder – 0.28 ppm (Up to ¾ tsp. daily)
- Abido Spices 7 Mixed Spices – 0.23 ppm (Up to 1 tsp. daily)
- Mccormick Cinnamon – 0.23 ppm (Up to 1 tsp. daily)
Best to Use: Cinnamon with Minimal Lead Levels
The following brands were found to have minimal lead levels in their products:
- Sadaf Seven Spice – 0.15 ppm (Up to 1 ½ tsp. daily)
- 365 Whole Foods Market Ground Cinnamon – 0.12 ppm (Up to 2 tsp. daily)
- Loisa Organic Cinnamon – 0.04 ppm (Up to 5 ¾ tsp. daily)
- Morton & Bassett San Francisco 100% Organic Ground Cinnamon – 0.04 ppm (Up to 6 tsp. daily)
- Sadaf Cinnamon Powder – 0.04 ppm (Up to 6 ¾ tsp. daily)
Minimizing the Risk
So, what can consumers do to minimize the risk of lead exposure from cinnamon? Here are some tips:
- Choose Wisely: Stick to brands shown to have low or undetectable lead levels in testing.
- Stay Informed: Monitor the FDA for safety alerts and recalls, especially for imported spices.
- Diversify Spices: Using a variety of seasonings can reduce the risk of overexposure from any single source/brand.
- Limits Use: Avoid consuming cinnamon in large quantities unless you’re confident in its safety.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the presence of lead in cinnamon products is a concern that needs to be addressed. However, by choosing wisely and being informed, consumers can minimize the risk of lead exposure from cinnamon. It’s a good time to check your spice cabinet and swap out a few jars. By doing so, you can enjoy the benefits of cinnamon without the risks.