Since March 6, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned about elevated lead levels in ground cinnamon products. Today, recalls were expanded by two ground cinnamon distributors.
Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Gutierrez Distributor Recalls El Servidor Corp Ground Cinnamon Because of Possible Health Risk
Gutierrez Distributor of Passaic, NJ is recalling El Servidor Corp brand ground cinnamon because it has the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead. Short term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms. It is possible that increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign of lead exposure. Additional signs and symptoms of lead exposure are more likely with acute exposure to higher levels of lead or chronic exposure to lead. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount and duration of lead exposure and age/ body weight. If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period of time (e.g., weeks to months) permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur. This can result in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems. For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
El Chilar HF, LLC. Expands Recall of El Chilar Ground Cinnamon Due to Elevated Levels of Lead
El Chilar HF, LLC on 03/06/2024 issued a recall of Lots # D-300 EX1024 and F272 EX1026, contained in 127 boxes (12 bags/box) of El Chilar “Cinnamon Ground” (1.25 oz bag), because it may contain traces of lead. Further investigation indicates that the issue could be caused by a potentially adulterated raw material from the supplier.
While lead can affect almost all body systems, its effects depend on the amount and duration of lead exposure and age/body weight. If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period (e.g., weeks to months) permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur. This can result in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems. For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects. Lead can cause serious health problems if too much is ingested, such as damage to the brain and kidneys and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body.
