US health authorities are Notice that several types of cinnamon powder sold at discounts and in specialty supermarkets are contaminated with high levels of lead and should be discarded.
The Food and Drug Administration issued its third warning this year, adding at least 10 types of packaged cinnamon powder sold at popular stores including Dollar Tree, Patel Brothers and Eurogrocery in several states.
The FDA has recommended that companies recall products. In the meantime, consumers should throw away and avoid purchasing these powdered cinnamon products. No illnesses have been reported in connection with these products, the agency said.
Here’s what you need to know:
Which brands of cinnamon are affected?
The FDA issued its latest warning on Tuesday, naming these cinnamon brands: El Chilar, Marcum, SWAD, Supreme Tradition, Compania Indillor Orientale, ALB Flavor, Shahzada, Spice Class and La Frontera.
On July 25, the agency issued a warning for cinnamon from the El Servidor brand. This followed a warning on March 6th.
How much lead was found in cinnamon?
Tests conducted by state programs and confirmed by the FDA found lead levels that ranged from just over 2 parts per million to about 7 parts per million in most spices, the agency said. The El Servidor brand was found to have a lead concentration of 20 parts per million.
This is much lower than the 2,000 to 5,000 parts per million detected in cinnamon powder in bags of WanaBana and other cinnamon applesauce brands which has sickened more than 500 children in the US since last year.
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There is currently no FDA limit for heavy metals in spices. However, the agency has set a limit of 1 part per million of lead in candy that can be consumed by young children. The American Spice Trade Association, an industry trade group, requires no more than 2 parts per million of lead in bark spices such as cinnamon.
How does lead get into the shin?
Many foods, including spices, contain lead from natural sources such as soil and water, said Karen Everstine, chief technical officer at FoodchainID, a company that tracks food supply chains.
Spices can also accumulate lead from other sources in the environment, such as pollution. Some lead in spices may come from manufacturing, storage or transportation processes.
In some cases, spices were mixed with substances, including lead, to increase color or weight, increasing the value of the product.
How can lead in spices affect health?
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 from any single use is small, but damage can occur after weeks or months of exposure.
How can I avoid lead in my spices?
It can be difficult, if not impossible, to know whether spices on grocery store shelves are contaminated with lead or other toxins, Everstine said.
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Consumers should purchase spices from companies that have publicly stated that they monitor their sources. They have an interest in protecting their brands, she said.
This can be difficult, especially when food prices – including spices – remain high. But this is one case where it might be worth it, she added.
This story originally appeared on Time.com read the full story
