High Levels of Lead in Certain Cinnamon Products

DPH Reports High Levels of Lead in Certain Cinnamon Products

DOVER, DE (Mar. 8, 2024) – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified high lead levels in several ground cinnamon products. Several stores, including Dollar Tree, Save A Lot and Family Dollar, sold cinnamon products that contain lead levels that could be potentially harmful to consumers, particularly children. Signs and symptoms may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in activity level and anemia. No illnesses or other health effects have been reported to the FDA and Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) in connection with the new ground cinnamon alert.

The FDA recommended recalls this week of ground cinnamon from six distributors that had high lead levels, including:

Marcum Ground Cinnamon from Save A Lot
MK from SF Supermarket
Swad Cinnamon Powder from Patel Brothers
Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon from Dollar Tree and Family Dollar
El Chilar from La Joya Morelense
La Fiesta from La Superior SuperMercados

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores since voluntarily pulled these products from their shelves, and consumers can return these products for a refund.

The ground cinnamon products should not be purchased by consumers, and any containers at home should be disposed of immediately. To properly discard the product, consumers and retailers should carefully open the pouch or jar and empty the content into a trash can before discarding the packaging to prevent others from salvaging recalled product from the trash. Clean up any spills after discarding the product and then wash your hands.

DPH has notified health care providers via the Health Alert Network that several ground cinnamon products have high lead levels. Additionally, the agency encouraged providers to offer blood lead levels testing to those who have consumed these products and/or who have symptoms of lead poisoning. According to the FDA, here is no safe level of lead exposure for humans. Growing children are especially vulnerable to the effects of long-term lead exposure, including learning disabilities, behavioral difficulties and lower IQ.

DPH remains vigilant as it monitors statewide conditions. Lead screenings are also available at State Service Centers statewide. Cases can be reported to the DPH Office of Lead Poisoning Prevention by emailing HSPContact@Delaware.gov.

For more information about the ground cinnamon products, visit https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-alert-concerning-certain-cinnamon-products-due-presence-elevated-levels-lead. Other recalled products by the FDA can be found by visiting https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts.