FDA MedWatch – FDA Public Health Alert for Additional Ground Cinnamon Product Due to Presence of Elevated Levels of Lead

TOPIC: FDA Public Health Alert for Additional Ground Cinnamon Product Due to Presence of Elevated Levels of Lead 

AUDIENCE: Consumer, Health Professional 

ISSUE: Through product testing conducted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and confirmed by the FDA, the FDA has determined that the ground cinnamon product, El Servidor, contains elevated levels of lead and that exposure to this product may be unsafe. 

The FDA has recommended that the distributor voluntarily recall this product. The FDA will update this notice with communication from the firm if they voluntarily agree to recall. Please see our initial alert on ground cinnamon products issued March 6, 2024, for a list of additional ground cinnamon products previously recommended for recall.

The FDA is continuing to analyze cinnamon and review sample results received from state partners who have been continuously sampling ground cinnamon at retail for elevated levels of lead. This public health alert will be updated as necessary if the FDA finds that additional products contain elevated levels of lead and that exposure to these products may be unsafe.

For more information about this alert, click on the red button Read Alert below.

BACKGROUND: Based on FDA’s assessment, consuming this product is likely to contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood, especially in babies and young children. Protecting children from exposure to lead is particularly important because they are more susceptible to lead toxicity. Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms. Short term exposure to elevated lead could result in the following symptoms: headache; abdominal pain/colic; vomiting; anemia. Longer term exposure to elevated lead could result in the following additional symptoms: irritability; lethargy; fatigue; muscle aches or muscle prickling/burning; constipation; difficulty concentrating/muscular weakness; tremor; weight loss.

The potential for adverse health effects from consuming food contaminated with lead varies depending on the level of lead in the food; age of the consumer; length, amount, and frequency of exposure to lead in the food; and other exposures to different sources of lead. For example, the very young are particularly vulnerable to the potential harmful effects from lead exposure because of their smaller body sizes and rapid metabolism and growth.  High levels of exposure to lead in utero, infancy, and early childhood can lead to neurological effects such as learning disabilities, behavior difficulties, and lowered IQ.   

RECOMMENDATIONS: 

• The FDA is advising consumers to stop using and dispose of the ground cinnamon product listed in the alert.
• Consumers should not eat, sell, or serve this ground cinnamon product and should discard this product.
• This product has a long shelf life. Consumers should check their homes and discard this product.
• If there’s suspicion that someone has been exposed to elevated levels of lead, talk to your healthcare provider. Most people have no obvious immediate symptoms of lead exposure.
• To report a complaint or adverse event (illness or serious allergic reaction), you can
  • Call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator if you wish to speak directly to a person about your problem.
  • Complete an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form
  • Complete a paper Voluntary MedWatch form that can be mailed to the FDA.
  • Visit fda.gov/fcic for additional consumer and industry assistance.

Consumers and health professionals are encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of these products to the FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program:

• Complete and submit the report online.
• Download form or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on form, or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

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