Health officials have urged consumers to "stop using and dispose of" ground cinnamon products by the brand El Servidor after finding "elevated" levels of lead in the product.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that exposure to these concentrations may be "unsafe," particularly for babies and young children.
"Based on FDA's assessment, consuming this product is likely to contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood, especially in babies and young children," the agency said in a statement.
Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal that can replace the calcium in our bones and teeth and can be stored in our bodies for decades after initial exposure. Over time, this heavy metal can accumulate and may be released back into our blood.
The metal has been associated with a range of neurological and cardiovascular conditions, as well as problems with our kidneys, our blood, our immune system, and our reproductive health.
"Short-term exposure to elevated lead could result in the following symptoms: headache; abdominal pain/colic; vomiting; anemia," the FDA said. "Longer term exposure to elevated lead could result in the following additional symptoms: irritability; lethargy; fatigue; muscle aches or muscle prickling/burning; constipation; difficulty concentrating/muscular weakness; tremor; weight loss."
Of course, the risk posed by eating lead-contaminated foods will vary depending on the concentration, how much you eat, and the age of the consumer. However, while lead levels in the El Servidor cinnamon are relatively low (20 parts per million,) the FDA states that there is "no known safe level" of lead exposure.
The FDA is continuing an investigation to analyze and review cinnamon samples around the U.S. and has recommended that the distributor voluntarily recall the product. Meanwhile, it has warned customers to stop using and dispose of El Servidor ground cinnamon until the issue is resolved. Newsweek has contacted the FDA for further information.
"If there's suspicion that someone has been exposed to elevated levels of lead, talk to your healthcare provider," the FDA said. "Most people have no obvious immediate symptoms of lead exposure."
The FDA added that a healthy, balanced diet can help protect against some of the health effects of lead exposure:
"Eating a variety of healthy foods can make it less likely for an individual to be exposed to the same contaminant from the same food many times and helps to provide the range of nutrients needed for health and, for children, healthy development. Having adequate nutrients stored in the body also can help to prevent lead from having harmful effects."
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