Consumer Reports Thursday 36 Ground Cinnamon Products Contain LeadIt has led to a series of shocking headlines, and the test is particularly nerve-wracking given that it comes so soon after the tragic poisoning incident. At least 519 U.S. childrenThey were exposed to extremely high levels of lead from cinnamon that was intentionally added to the applesauce snack pouches.
With this horrific case in mind, parents will be wary of any other discoveries that show lead in cinnamon. So how concerning are the levels Consumer Reports found? And do we need to strictly follow the limits the organization recommends? By my calculations, there’s not much to be concerned about, and probably not. This isn’t really an alarming report.
“As with the store’s previous chocolate testing, the lead levels found in the cinnamon were mostly within the normal range. Overall, the report is a reminder that trace amounts of heavy metals are present in a variety of common foods. And watchdog testing like this can play an important role in keeping consumers safe, especially in the case of underfunded and underpowered regulatory agencies.”
Before we get into the data, let me be upfront about my conflict of interest here. I love cinnamon as much as I love chocolate. I mean, a lot. I can’t imagine fall or the holidays without cinnamon-heavy treats. And if you believe cinnamon isn’t a verb, you’re wrong (at least in my opinion). Still, it’s certainly possible that my love for this bark spice could be swayed by my healthy aversion to neurotoxins, especially if I have little ones at home munching on my baked goods. That’s why I dug deep and did the math. And I’m happy to show you the results of that math.
Regulated concentration
So what did Consumer Reports (CR) find? The company collected three samples of each of 36 different products from grocery stores, specialty/international food stores, and online retailers. They then sent them for testing to a private lab, which reported the average lead levels in parts per million (ppm), which is the equivalent of milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg).
CR judged the results at a threshold level of 1 ppm, the concentration at which New York state would order a recall of Spice (at least for now). proposed to lowerIt’s important to note that even with the current 1 ppm threshold, New York is an exception. As CR points out, New York is the only state with such a threshold. The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t have a clear cutoff, but a recent warning from the agency states: All related to products with lead concentrations above 2ppmThe FDA also noted that the Codex Alimentarius Commission, an international food standards-setting body, has set a maximum lead limit for spice bark at 2.5 ppm. Additionally, the European Union has set a maximum allowable lead level in spice bark at 2 ppm. Regulations enacted in 2021 (PDF).
Despite the unusually low levels, CR profiled 12 products, mostly lesser-known brands, that would not be distributed in New York. Of those, only three exceeded the 2 ppm limit that would attract the attention of FDA and European Union regulators. The two brands with the highest levels (Paras at 3.52 ppm and EGN at 2.91 ppm) told CR they would voluntarily recall their products. The other product that exceeded 2 ppm was Mimi’s Products cinnamon, with an average of 2.03 ppm. Only one of three samples exceeded 2 ppm, according to CR’s data (it measured 1.97 ppm, 2.16 ppm, and 1.97 ppm).
That said, concentration thresholds for purposes of regulatory recalls are a different matter. Other questions that are likely much more relevant to consumers are how much cinnamon people actually eat and what the maximum safe amount of lead is. So what exactly are they?
