Cinnamon is quickly becoming one of the most recalled foods in the United States this year after it was found to contain toxic metals linked to cancer.
Earlier this week, El Chilar, LLC, expanded its recall of Canela Molida ground cinnamon after an investigation found traces of lead, becoming the tenth cinnamon brand to be recalled for containing the toxic metal.
Authorities have warned that there is no safe level of lead as high doses have been linked to behavioural problems, growth problems and learning difficulties in children, hundreds of whom have fallen ill in the past year.
And in adults, health agencies have classified it as a possible carcinogen.
The latest recall adds to a growing list of products recalled for containing lead, which has been linked to behavioral problems in children and cancer.
The FDA urged Americans to stop using the recalled product and return it to the place of purchase for a refund.
It’s not clear exactly why so many cinnamon products contain traces of lead, but the FDA previously said it was investigating whether lead was intentionally added for economic gain.
This could mean that an ingredient is added or removed from a food to increase its value. For example, compounds such as red brick, red lead salt, lead oxide and lead chromate, which reflect the red colour of cinnamon, have been added to increase the value of the spice, research shows.
Spices such as turmeric, cinnamon and paprika are known to be laced with lead chromate or lead oxide, compounds that reflect the colors of the spices, said Karen Everstine, technical director of FoodchainID, a company that tracks food supply chains.
“The intention is not to make people sick. Nobody wants to do that because then they get caught,” Everstine said. “They just want to make money.”
The latest recall has been expanded from two to six lots, adding 127 additional cases, which were sold to retailers in Maryland.
No illnesses have been reported.
In March, Florida-based El Chilar, LLC recalled two lots of ground cinnamon: codes D-300 EX1024 and F272 EX1026. The recall now includes these additional codes: E-054, EX 0225, D-181, and EX 0624.
The FDA said that while the affected products have been pulled from shelves in Maryland, they may still be in consumers’ homes.
The agency urged those who still have the products to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Lead is a toxic metal that has long been linked to a number of health problems, including developmental delays and behavioral problems in children.
Some evidence also suggests that autistic children have more lead in their blood, but the research is mixed.
Additionally, the EPA has classified lead as a probable human carcinogen, meaning it could cause cancer.
Last year, WanaBana recalled its apple-cinnamon fruit pouches after an investigation found traces of lead linked to poisoning in more than 400 children in 44 states.
According to the FDA and CDC, there is no safe level of lead consumption.
Short-term exposure to lead can cause symptoms such as headache, abdominal pain, vomiting, and anemia. Long-term exposure can cause additional symptoms, such as lethargy, weight loss, constipation, and difficulty breathing.
