Is Lead-Laced Cinnamon in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin?

Cinnamon is a favorite spice in my household. It enhances everything from morning oatmeal to holiday treats and even coffee. However, recent investigations have raised some concerns about lead contamination in ground cinnamon products. Not only has it caused me to take another look in my cabinet, it's making others question the safety of their spices altogether.

The Bad News

A study by Consumer Reports tested 36 ground cinnamon products and spice blends, revealing that 12 contained lead levels exceeding 1 part per million (ppm). Notably, some brands had 3 times that amount of lead. These concentrations seem alarming, and I'm no scientist. Most people know, even minimal lead exposure can accumulate over time and pose health risks. This is especially the case for young children and pregnant women.

Cinnamons to Avoid (High Lead Levels)

• Paras Cinnamon Powder - 3.52 ppm
• EGN Cinnamon Powder - 2.91 ppm
• Mimi’s Products Ground Cinnamon - 2.03 ppm
• Bowl & Basket Ground Cinnamon - 1.82 ppm
• Rani Brand Ground Cinnamon - 1.39 ppm
• Zara Foods Cinnamon Powder - 1.27 ppm
• Three Rivers Cinnamon Stick Powder - 1.26 ppm
• Yu Yee Brand Five Spice Powder - 1.25 ppm
• BaiLiFeng Five Spice Powder - 1.15 ppm
• Spicy King Five Spices Powder - 1.05 ppm
• Badia Cinnamon Powder - 1.03 ppm
• Deep Cinnamon Powder - 1.02 ppm

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The FDA has also weighed in. Although there’s currently no federal limit for lead in cinnamon or other spices, the agency has warned consumers to avoid certain ground cinnamon products due to high lead levels. With levels above 2 ppm, they approach or surpass limits proposed by the European Union. However, the FDA has not specifically said what level would trigger an alert or recall on cinnamon. Instead, those decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.

The Good News

On a positive note, the same Consumer Reports study identified six products with minimal lead content. These findings suggest that safe options exist for those who want to enjoy cinnamon without extensive exposure to lead.

Cinnamons You Can Use ("Safe" Lead Levels)

• Happy Belly Ground Cinnamon - 0.87 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
• Kirkland Signature Organic Saigon Cinnamon - 0.80 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
• Great Value Ground Cinnamon - 0.79 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
• Penzeys Ceylon Cinnamon - 0.78 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
• Ziyad Brand Premium Seven Spice Blend - 0.73 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
• Trader Joe’s Organic Ground Cinnamon - 0.69 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
• The Spice Lab Organic Ground Cinnamon - 0.60 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
• Good & Gather Ground Cinnamon - 0.56 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
• Morton & Bassett San Francisco Ground Cinnamon - 0.55 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
• Penzeys Vietnamese Cinnamon - 0.55 ppm (Up to ¼ tsp. daily)
• Swad Garam Masala Powder - 0.40 ppm (Up to ½ tsp. daily)
• Penzeys Ground Cinnamon - 0.37 ppm (Up to ½ tsp. daily)
• Wei-Chuan Five Spice Powder - 0.36 ppm (Up to ½ tsp. daily)
• Natural Plus Green Five Spices Powder - 0.35 ppm (Up to ½ tsp. daily)
• Simply Organic Cinnamon - 0.28 ppm (Up to ¾ tsp. daily)
• Shan Garam Masala Powder - 0.28 ppm (Up to ¾ tsp. daily)
• Abido Spices 7 Mixed Spices - 0.23 ppm (Up to 1 tsp. daily)
• McCormick Cinnamon - 0.23 ppm (Up to 1 tsp. daily)

Best to Use (Minimal Lead Levels)

• Sadaf Seven Spice - 0.15 ppm (Up to 1 ½ tsp. daily)
• 365 Whole Foods Market Ground Cinnamon - 0.12 ppm (Up to 2 tsp. daily)
• Loisa Organic Cinnamon - 0.04 ppm (Up to 5 ¾ tsp. daily)
• Morton & Bassett San Francisco 100% Organic Ground Cinnamon - 0.04 ppm (Up to 6 tsp. daily)
• Sadaf Cinnamon Powder - 0.04 ppm (Up to 6 ¾ tsp. daily)
• 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Ground Cinnamon - 0.02 ppm (Up to 16 tsp. daily)

So... Is Lead-Laced Cinnamon in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin?

All signs point to yes, there is most likely some lead in your cinnamon. Now, the cinnamon tested by Consumer Reports came from stores in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and online retailers. So, this doesn’t confirm that any of the "worst" lead-laced cinnamon is currently on any shelves in Iowa, Illinois, or Wisconsin grocers. However, many of the brands tested that were flagged for high lead levels are distributed nationally or sold online. That means there is a reasonable chance that some online shoppers may have purchased the more heavily contaminated products.

So, what can consumers do to minimize the risk:

• Choose Wisely: Stick to brands shown to have low or undetectable lead levels in testing.
• Stay Informed: Monitor the FDA for safety alerts and recalls, especially for imported spices.
• Diversify Spices: Using a variety of seasonings can reduce the risk of overexposure from any single source/brand.
• Limit Use: Avoid consuming cinnamon in large quantities unless you’re confident in its safety.

While the presence of lead in our cinnamon products is concerning, there is a distinction to be made between the trace levels of lead that are naturally occurring in spices and the contamination that occurs through bad practices. Being informed and cautious can help you continue enjoying this classic spice safely. It’s a good time to check your spice cabinet; you may want to swap out a few jars.