Approximately one year after a nationwide consumer alert over a recall of millions of cinnamon applesauce pouches, a new investigation by Consumer Reports has discovered high level of lead in one-third of tested ground cinnamon and cinnamon spice blends.
According to experts, spices frequently contain traces of the heavy metal, and all of the spices that were tested had measurable quantities of lead.
However, lead levels in 12 of the 36 goods were higher than one part per million (ppm).
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.
There are no federal regulations regarding heavy metals in spices, despite the fact that Consumer Reports evaluated lead levels using a threshold of 1 ppm.
Food and Drug Administration has been releasing public health advisories on items containing cinnamon that have more than 2 parts per million of lead.
Findings of Consumer Reports Survey
Ground cinnamon and spice combinations, such garam masala and five-spice powder, that can be bought online and in 17 stores across Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York were included in the Consumer Reports survey.
It was advised by Consumer Reports that customers discard the 12 products that tested higher than 1 ppm.
The two brands with the highest levels of lead found in the tests were Paras (3.52 ppm) and EGN (2.91 ppm) among the 12 that performed the worst.
Effect of Excessive Lead
Health officials say that there is no acceptable level of lead exposure.
Long-term high lead exposure during childhood can cause growth retardation, delayed puberty, lower IQ, and learning impairments.
In pregnant women, exposure to high levels of lead can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and low birth weight, as per WHO.
Date : 16 to 20 Sept 2024
Time : 07 PM to 10 PM
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