High levels of lead detected in 12 brands of cinnamon and spice blends, report says

Lead poisoning: Common sources, associated health problems and treatment

Lead is toxic to everyone but young children are especially at risk, according to the CDC.

A third of cinnamon powders and spice mixtures recently tested were found to have elevated levels of lead, according to new findings published by Consumer Reports.

Food safety scientists from the consumer-focused nonprofit tested for lead in 36 ground cinnamon products and spice blends that contain cinnamon – such as garam masala and five-spice powder.

The brands tested include products carried in mainstream grocery stores, as well as smaller brands available in stores that cater to international cuisines, according to the report, which was published on Sept. 12.

Consumer Reports said the products tested were purchased from 17 stores in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and online.

Twelve of the 36 products tested by Consumer Reports measured above 1 part per million of lead. That is the threshold that triggers a recall in New York – which is the only U.S. state that regulates heavy metals in spices, the nonprofit noted.

"If you have one of those products, we think you should throw it away," James Rogers, PhD, the director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports, said in a statement.

"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 added.

Cinnamon powder and sticks are pictured in a file image. (Photo by: Natasha Breen/REDA&CO/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The latest findings come after a recall late last year of the WanaBana, Schnucks or Weis-brand apple cinnamon pouches, and a cinnamon powder recall in July – both because of lead.

Elevated lead levels found in 12 cinnamon and spice blend brands

There’s currently no limit set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for heavy metals in spices. However, the agency has set a limit of 1 part per million (ppm) of lead in candy likely to be consumed by small children.

The American Spice Trade Association, an industry trade group, calls for no more than 2 ppm of lead in bark spices such as cinnamon.

Cinnamon powder from the brand Paras was found to have the highest levels of lead detected, at 3.52 ppm, according to Consumer Reports. This was followed by EGN-branded Cinnamon Powder at 2.91 ppm of lead.

Paras and EGN both told Consumer Reports they would remove the products from the market.

The 12 products that tested for elevated levels of lead are:

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

What do the other brands named in the report say?

Badia Spices told FOX Television Stations in a statement that trace amounts of lead are "found in nearly every food product grown around the world."

"The FDA has set no formal regulation for the amount of lead in spices but to date has never issued a consumer alert or recall for spice products containing lead at a level below 2 parts per million," Alina Lastra, Badia Spices’ director of regulatory affairs, said in the statement. "The European Union’s action level for bark spices such as cinnamon following extensive scientific studies is set at 2 parts per million. New York State’s action level of 1 part per million is not aligned with the scientific consensus of acceptable amounts of lead and is itself under review by the New York State Legislature, with the passing of Senate Bill 7036-A, which would raise the action level for bark spices to 2 parts per million in the State."

"Badia Ground Cinnamon complies with all Federal and international law," the statement added.

FOX Television Stations reached out to the companies behind Mimi’s Products Ground Cinnamon, Bowl & Basket Ground Cinnamon, Rani Brand Ground Cinnamon, Zara Foods Cinnamon Powder, Yu Yee Brand Five Spice Powder, and Deep Cinnamon Powder and did not immediately receive responses.

Deep and Yu Yee both told Consumer Reports that they tested their products or relied on tests from their suppliers.

Contact information for the manufacturers behind Three Rivers Cinnamon Stick Powder, BaiLiFeng Five Spice Powder, and Spicy King Five Spices Powder could not be found.

How does lead get into cinnamon?

Many foods, including spices, contain lead from natural sources like soil and water. Spices can also accumulate lead from other sources in the environment, such as 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.

No amount of lead is safe, so it should be avoided, health officials say. 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.