A new investigation by Consumer Reports has revealed that one-third of cinnamon products tested contained dangerously high levels of lead, raising concerns about the safety of widely available spices. The findings come in the wake of last year’s cinnamon applesauce contamination, which poisoned hundreds across 44 U.S. states, most of them children.

Out of 36 cinnamon products tested, 12 items sold in discount stores and ethnic markets were found to have excessive levels of lead, sometimes reaching as high as 3.5 parts per million (ppm). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Codex Alimentarius—a global food standards body established by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization—is considering capping lead levels in bark spices, including cinnamon, at 2.5 ppm by 2024.

Lead Levels Far Exceed Safety Standards

Some brands contained lead concentrations well above acceptable limits. For instance, Badia, a common brand, was found to have 1 ppm of lead, according to the report. Experts warn that even small amounts of lead can pose serious health risks, especially over time, as lead accumulates in the body.

"Just a quarter teaspoon of any product containing that much lead exceeds the daily amount considered safe," said James Rogers, director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports. He strongly urged consumers to discard any cinnamon products found to contain such high lead levels. “If you have one of those products, we think you should throw it away,” Rogers stated in a Consumer Reports news release.

Health Risks and Expert Concerns

Lead exposure, even in small amounts, can have long-term detrimental effects on health, accumulating in the body and leading to serious harm. Tomás Guilarte, a professor of neuroscience and environmental health at Florida International University, emphasized the severity of the contamination. “These are extremely high levels of lead,” Guilarte told the New York Times, adding that the cinnamon products “clearly shouldn’t be used.”

While the lead levels in the recent report were not as extreme as those found in the recalled cinnamon applesauce last year, they are still about 1,000 times higher than what concerns food safety experts.

Some Brands Deemed Safe

Despite the alarming findings, Consumer Reports identified several brands with low or negligible lead levels. Products from Whole Foods 365, McCormick, Penzeys, and Morton & Bassett were deemed safe to use, showcasing that it is possible to produce lead-free or extremely low-lead cinnamon. “These products demonstrate that it’s possible to produce cinnamon with no lead or extremely low levels,” Rogers noted.

Contamination Sources and Call for National Standards

Experts suggest that lead contamination could occur in cinnamon during growth in contaminated soil or through outdated machinery used in the spice’s processing. Most of the world’s cinnamon is grown in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam before being shipped worldwide.

In the 2023 cinnamon applesauce recall, the FDA suspected intentional adulteration with lead chromate, a powder used to stretch the spice and boost profits.

Brian Ronholm, director of food safety policy at Consumer Reports, called for federal action, emphasizing the need for a national policy on lead in herbs and spices. “Ultimately, we want the FDA to develop a preventive strategy for reducing lead exposure in all foods,” Ronholm said. He added that the FDA’s chronic underfunding makes it difficult for the agency to address food safety concerns effectively.

As the public awaits further action, Consumer Reports urges consumers to remain cautious and discard any cinnamon products from brands known to contain high levels of lead.