A year after recalled applesauce pouches containing cinnamon left more than 500 kids with lead poisoning, new research is offering further cause for concern regarding the popular spice used in baked goods and frequently sprinkled on coffee and oatmeal.
Consumer Reports found troubling levels of lead in one-third of ground cinnamon and cinnamon-containing spice blends it tested, according to the findings released Thursday. The tests involved brands carried by mainstream grocery stores as well as those that sell international foods.
Purchased from 17 stores in Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and online, 12 of 36 brands measured above 1 part per million of lead — the threshold that triggers a recall in New York, the only U.S. state to regulate heavy metals in spices, according to the advocacy group.
Stop using these brands
Here are the 12 brands of spice blends and cinnamon that CR says to stop using:
- Paras cinnamon powder
- EGN cinnamon powder
- Mimi’s Products ground cinnamon
- Bowl & Basket ground cinnamon
- Rani Brand ground cinnamon
- Zara Foods cinnamon powder
- Three Rivers cinnamon stick powder
- Yu Yee Brand five spice powder
- BaiLiFeng five spice powder
- Spicy King five spices powder
- Badia cinnamon powder
- Deep cinnamon Powder