The New York State Department of Health and the State Department of Agriculture and Markets are urging consumers to take notice of an alert by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding certain ground cinnamon products containing high levels of lead. The FDA initiated a targeted survey of these ground cinnamon products from discount retail stores and analyzed the samples for lead and chromium. This action follows the October 2023 recall of cinnamon apple puree and applesauce products due to elevated lead levels linked to the cinnamon in those products and the concern for lead toxicity in children.
Certain ground cinnamon products are affected as of the time of this release. This ground cinnamon includes the following brands: La Fiesta, Marcum, MK, Swad, Supreme Tradition, and El Chilar. See the full FDA alert (https://tinyurl.com/edf3kuku) for product lot code details.
These products were sold and distributed by multiple retailers, including Save A Lot, Dollar Tree, and Family Dollar. Some of these products have been distributed in New York State. Consumers who have purchased the ground cinnamon listed on the product table in the FDA’s alert should discard the product immediately and contact their health care provider if they or their children may have consumed these products or have symptoms of lead toxicity. For more information regarding the FDA alert, visit http://fda.gov.
New York State continues to work with local health departments to identify cases in children with elevated blood lead levels connected to the recalled cinnamon apple puree and applesauce products.
Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status. Protecting children from exposure to lead is particularly important because they are more susceptible to lead toxicity. Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms. Parents and caretakers should consult a healthcare provider if they suspect a child may have been exposed to lead. Short term exposure to lead could result in the following symptoms: headache; abdominal pain/colic; vomiting; and/or anemia. Longer term exposure could result in the following additional symptoms: irritability; lethargy; fatigue; muscle aches or muscle prickling/burning; constipation; difficulty concentrating/muscular weakness; tremors; or/or weight loss.
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