More products have been added to a nationwide cinnamon recall over concerns that the ground kitchen spice may be contaminated with lead.
The latest announcement adds Gutierrez brand ground cinnamon to a growing list of products recalled by the Gutierrez Distributor of Passaic in New Jersey. The company had already recalled the El Servidor Corp ground cinnamon after finding "elevated" levels of lead in the product at the end of July.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has urged consumers to "discontinue use of the product immediately" and the company has halted its production and distribution.
Lead is a naturally occurring toxic metal that can replace the calcium in our bones and teeth. Because of this, the heavy metal can be stored in our bodies for decades after initial exposure. Over time, this lead 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.
"While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount and duration of lead exposure and age/body weight," the FDA said in a statement on August 23. "If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period of time (e.g., weeks to months) permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur. This can result in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems.
"For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, high blood pressure, and neurocognitive effects."
Lead levels in the initial cinnamon recall were relatively low, at 20 parts per million. However, the FDA states that there is "no known safe level of lead exposure."
The recalled El Servidor cinnamon was distributed to retail stores in New York starting on January 14, 2024, while the Gutierrez brand was sold to cash and carry customers in a 1.5-ounce clear plastic bag. The FDA has warned customers to discontinue use of the product and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. However, no illnesses have been reported to date in connection with the suspected contamination.
Newsweek has contacted the Gutierrez Distributor, Passaic NJ Facebook page for comment.
In their initial statement, 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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