Recent studies have touted the health benefits of cinnamon, including one earlier this year suggesting that daily cinnamon consumption can help lower blood pressure.However, new reports also warn of a serious risk linked to cinnamon:lead poisoning.
In late 2023 and early 2024, CDC received reports of more than 500 confirmed, probable, or suspected cases of lead poisoning that were traced back to the cinnamon in three brands of apple purée pouches.
A few months later, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advised consumers toavoid several ground cinnamon brandsbecause of elevated lead levels. While the contamination in these products was much lower than what was in the apple purées, it still posed a health risk when used regularly.
How Does Lead Get Into Cinnamon Products?
Most cinnamon sold in the United States is imported from countries with fewer regulations or weaker enforcement of industrial pollution standards. In some foreign markets, vendors may even sprinkle lead dust on spices like cinnamon to make them appear shinier and more appealing, according toRachel Bonnifield, MPhil, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development who studies lead poisoning in children.
How Common Is Lead Contamination in Cinnamon?
In an investigation published in September, researchers atConsumer Reportstested 36 ground cinnamon products and spice blends that contain cinnamon, such as garam masala and five-spice powder. They found that 12 of the 36 products contained lead levels exceeding 1 part per million—the threshold for a recall in New York, the only state in the U.S. that regulates heavy metals in spices.
According to the World Health Organization, even small amounts of lead can accumulate in the body and remain there for years.
Lead poisoning is particularly concerning for children and during pregnancy, as it can harm the brain and nervous system, leading to developmental delays. In adults, lead exposure may cause reproductive issues, weaken the immune system, increase blood pressure, and damage the kidneys.
Consumer Reportsfound six brands of cinnamon with lower lead levels, including:
Symptoms of Lead Poisoning
How Should You Choose Cinnamon Products?
Consumers should try to buy brand-name cinnamon to avoid lead contamination risk, Shumow said.
The more well-known companies might be more invested in “trying to avoid headlines,” saidSarah Sorscher, JD, MPH, director of regulatory affairs at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. She also suggested avoiding bringing spices from overseas markets, since those might be more prone to lead contamination.
It might also be wise to avoid buying loose spices in the U.S. since it’s hard to determine if those spices are imported or produced domestically, Bonnfield added.
But what about those touted health benefits of cinnamon? The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health indicates that many recent studies that link cinnamon to certain health benefits—such as blood sugar management and weight loss—are hard to “interpret because it’s often unclear which species or part of the cinnamon plant was tested.”Current research also doesn’t support using cinnamon for any health condition.
What This Means For YouCinnamon offers potential health benefits, but recent reports highlight the risk of lead contamination in some products. To minimize exposure, choose reputable brands of ground cinnamon and avoid spices from overseas markets or loose spices with uncertain origins. While cinnamon may support certain health benefits, the evidence remains inconclusive. Use it in moderation and prioritize safety when selecting products.
What This Means For You
Cinnamon offers potential health benefits, but recent reports highlight the risk of lead contamination in some products. To minimize exposure, choose reputable brands of ground cinnamon and avoid spices from overseas markets or loose spices with uncertain origins. While cinnamon may support certain health benefits, the evidence remains inconclusive. Use it in moderation and prioritize safety when selecting products.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mohammadabadi T, Jain R.Cinnamon: a nutraceutical supplement for the cardiovascular system.Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis. 2024;9:e72-e81. doi:10.5114/amsad/184245Food and Drug Administration.Investigation of elevated lead & chromium levels: cinnamon applesauce pouches (November 2023).Consumer Reports.The 12 cinnamon powders you should never use.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Cinnamon.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mohammadabadi T, Jain R.Cinnamon: a nutraceutical supplement for the cardiovascular system.Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis. 2024;9:e72-e81. doi:10.5114/amsad/184245Food and Drug Administration.Investigation of elevated lead & chromium levels: cinnamon applesauce pouches (November 2023).Consumer Reports.The 12 cinnamon powders you should never use.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Cinnamon.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mohammadabadi T, Jain R.Cinnamon: a nutraceutical supplement for the cardiovascular system.Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis. 2024;9:e72-e81. doi:10.5114/amsad/184245Food and Drug Administration.Investigation of elevated lead & chromium levels: cinnamon applesauce pouches (November 2023).Consumer Reports.The 12 cinnamon powders you should never use.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Cinnamon.
Mohammadabadi T, Jain R.Cinnamon: a nutraceutical supplement for the cardiovascular system.Arch Med Sci Atheroscler Dis. 2024;9:e72-e81. doi:10.5114/amsad/184245
Food and Drug Administration.Investigation of elevated lead & chromium levels: cinnamon applesauce pouches (November 2023).
Consumer Reports.The 12 cinnamon powders you should never use.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Cinnamon.
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