Cinnamon products contaminated with lead are on store shelves

spices evoke emotions Comfort, cultural belonging, vacation. they can make ours The house smells great and the food is delicious. They satisfy our cravings, expand our culinary horizons and help us eat things we normally dislike. For spices, Health promoting properties and, In medicine, it has been used since ancient times to heal people.

However, recently, spices have gotten a bad reputation.

In September 2024, Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization founded to provide information to consumers about products sold in the United States, conducted an investigation. 3 or more dozen cinnamon powder product And a third were found to contain lead levels above 1 ppm, which was enough to trigger a recall in one US state, New York. Guidelines on heavy metals in spices published.

Published by the Food and Drug Administration 3 alerts throughout 2024warns consumers about lead in certain brands of cinnamon products. Notices like this naturally cause consumers to be wary, leading some to wonder if the spice products they are purchasing are safe.

Consumer Reports examined more than 30 cinnamon powder products and found that 1 in 3 contained lead levels above 1 ppm.

as Environmental epidemiologist trained in nutritional scienceI investigated the relationship between children’s nutritional status, diet, and heavy metal exposure.

There are several things consumers should consider regarding lead and other heavy metals in cinnamon.

Why does cinnamon contain lead?

Most people are familiar with cinnamon in two forms: stick and spice. Both are made from the dried inner bark of the cinnamon tree, which is harvested after several years of cultivation. In the US market, cinnamon is Mainly imported from Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India and China.

One way lead can accumulate in cinnamon bark is if the tree is grown in contaminated soil. Lead can also be introduced into cinnamon products during processing such as grinding.

When producing ground cinnamon, some producers intentionally add lead compounds to enhance the weight and color of the product, thereby obtaining a higher selling price. This is known as “food adulteration,” and products known or suspected to be adulterated will be refused entry into the United States.

However, in the fall of 2023, there will be approximately 600 cases (mainly children) of elevated blood lead levels (defined as concentrations of 3.5 micrograms per deciliter or higher) in the United States; Cases were associated with ingestion of: Certain brands of cinnamon applesauce. Lead levels in the cinnamon used to make these products range from 2,270 to 5,110 ppm, indicating adulteration of the food. The manufacturing factory is investigated by FDA.

More broadly speaking, spices purchased from vendor Those sold in the United States have lower lead levels than those sold overseas.

There is some evidence that Cinnamon sticks are low in lead level than ground spices. Lead levels in powdered cinnamon sold in the U.S. and analyzed by Consumer Reports Range from 0.02 to 3.52 ppm. These levels were at least 1,500 times lower than in adulterated cinnamon.

There are no federal guidelines regarding lead or other heavy metals in spices. New York State proposed Guidelines even stricter than the current 1ppm levelThis would allow the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets to remove products from commerce if lead levels exceed 0.21 ppm.

What does “the dose makes the poison” mean?

the current FDA Guidelines for Daily Intake of Lead from Diet whole Limit children’s lead intake to 2.2 micrograms per day. For women of reproductive age, this value is 8.8 micrograms.

The dose of lead we receive from food depends on the level of lead in the food and how much of that food we eat. The higher the dose, the greater the potential harm. The frequency with which we consume food – daily or occasionally – is also important.

For spices such as cinnamon, consumption amounts and frequency vary depending on cultural tradition and personal preference. For many people, cinnamon is a seasonal spice. Some people use it year-round in flavorful dishes and sauces.

Cinnamon is beloved in baked goods. The cinnamon roll recipe calls for 1.5 tablespoons (just under 12 grams) of the spice. If your recipe yields 12 rolls, each will contain about 1 gram of cinnamon. in Consumer Reports Investigationsome cinnamon products are classified as “safe to use” or “best for use.”

The highest level of lead in cinnamon products in the “safe to use” category was 0.87 ppm, and 0.15 ppm in the “perfect for use” category. To exceed the FDA guidelines of limiting lead intake from foods to 2.2 micrograms per day, assuming no other foods contain lead, children must be made with “safe to use” cinnamon. It is necessary to take at least 2.5 rolls. To exceed this guideline for “optimal” cinnamon, a child would need to eat at least 15 rolls.

Can cinnamon contribute to increased blood lead levels?

Lead affects early childhood development, so the biggest concern is exposure of young children and pregnant women. Lead is absorbed in the small intestine. stick to mobile phone receptor It evolved to carry iron and other metals.

The effect of contaminated spices on a person’s blood lead levels depends on the amount of exposure and the percentage of lead absorbed from the intestines. For some spices, The percentage of available lead was 49%This means that about half of the lead ingested is absorbed.

Absorption of lead is higher after fasting 3 hours or moreand skip breakfast May contribute to elevated blood lead levels in children.

People with nutritional deficiencies, such as iron deficiency, tend to absorb more lead; High blood lead levels. This is because our bodies compensate for the deficiency by producing more receptors to capture iron from food. Lead uses additional receptors to enter the body. There are good reasons for developing iron deficiency, as young children and pregnant women are at higher risk of developing iron deficiency. Beware of lead in food they consume.

Research shows that among children who have suffered from lead poisoning in the United States, contaminated spices were one of them some Sources of lead exposure. Research to estimate blood lead concentration From statistics model They suggest that consuming more than 5 micrograms of lead from spices each day can significantly contribute to elevated blood lead levels.

Further research is needed to understand how lead in spices affects blood lead levels when consumed occasionally or seasonally, or when contamination levels are low.

For people who have other sources of lead in their homes, jobs, or hobbies, the addition of lead from foods and spices may be more important because the cumulative dose from multiple exposure sources increases.

How to test for elevated blood lead levels

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends: Children at risk of lead exposure have blood lead tested at ages 1 and 2.. Older children can also be tested. Fingerstick screening tests are often available at the pediatrician’s office, but high screening results may require confirmation of the results with venous blood.

Adults in the United States are not routinely tested for lead exposure, but concerned couples planning to have children should consult their health care provider.

Things to consider when using or buying cinnamon and other spices

The product is FDA warningor Do not use consumer reportsList, discard.

Other questions to consider are:

• Does your household use spices frequently and in large quantities?

• Do young children or pregnant women in your household consume spices?

• Do you usually use spices in your breakfast foods and drinks?

If the answer to any of these questions is yes, buy quality products from leading and trusted sellers. Consider using cinnamon sticks if possible.

Please continue to enjoy spices!

Katarzyna Kordas is an associate professor of epidemiology and environmental health at the University at Buffalo. This article is republished from conversation under Creative Commons License. please read Original article.