The Food and Drug Administration issued a new alert warning consumers about a cinnamon product sold in the U.S. that has been contaminated with lead. The ground cinnamon, sold as El Servidor and distributed by a New York company, tested for high levels of lead at 20 parts per million. This is significantly higher than the proposed international safety standard of 2.5 parts per million for lead in cinnamon. The FDA requested the distributor to voluntarily recall the product.
This alert comes after previous warnings about lead in cinnamon products sold at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar, as well as in WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree. While no illnesses have been reported from the contaminated cinnamon, lead exposure can be toxic, especially for young children. Symptoms of lead exposure may include headaches, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Health experts recommend limiting exposure to lead by avoiding or reducing consumption of contaminated cinnamon products, particularly for children.
Leigh Frame, director of integrative medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, expressed concern over the lack of resources and testing to prevent dangerous contaminants in food products. She urged consumers to be cautious and vigilant about the quality and safety of the food they consume. The FDA advised consumers to stop using the contaminated product and dispose of it properly.
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