A range of cinnamon powder and multi-spice blends have come under the scanner after high traces of lead have been found in nearly 12 brands. This has raised concerns about the adverse effects of such adulteration on health from kidney disorders to heart and liver disorders.
Cinnamon is regarded as a healthy addition to the diet and the spice is known for its medicinal value in managing many chronic diseases, be it diabetes or Alzheimer's disease prevention. However, lead adulteration could be offsetting many of these benefits and instead increasing risk of serious illnesses.
Consumer Reports, a nonprofit, discovered high levels of lead in various cinnamon powder and multi-spice powders from 12 brands including Paras, EGN, Mimi's Products, Bowl & Basket, Rani Brand, Zara Foods, Three Rivers, Yu Yee Brand, BaiLiFeng, Spicy King, Badia and Deep. Out of these brands Paras had the maximum lead content.
How much lead content is permissible?
Just a quarter teaspoon of any of the mentioned cinnamon products contains more lead than an individual should consume in an entire day, James Rogers, the director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports, said.
The Food and Drug Administration has set an interim reference level (IRL) of 12.5 micrograms per day (µg/day) for dietary lead intake in adults. It has set an action level of 0.5 μg/dL for lead in food products intended for use by infants and children.
Cinnamon powders and spice blends that exceeded permissible lead levels
The cinnamon powders and spice blends tested by the NGO showed lead levels above 1 part per million (ppm), which is a level used by New York state to indicate products that should be recalled, according to the nonprofit. Consumer Reports' food safety experts have advised people to "avoid those products."
Even having small amounts of lead can be dangerous for the human body as it can accumulate over a period of time and harm health.
Paras Cinnamon powder had the highest levels of lead - 3.52 parts per million or ppm, as per the report.
EGN (2.91 ppm), Mimi’s Products ground cinnamon (2.03 ppm), ShopRite 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) and Deep cinnamon powder (1.02 ppm) were also on the list of 12 spices with high lead content.
Impact of lead poisoning on health
Lead can cause a range of health issues in adults as well as children. In adults ingestion of lead above permissible levels can increase risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems and kidney damage. In pregnant women, exposure to high levels of lead can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and low birth weight, as per WHO.
Lead poisoning can have an impact on the brain and nervous system of young children.
