Check your spice rack: Cinnamon recalled for possible lead contamination in California
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A quintessential holiday spice made by a single manufacturer has been recalled by the U.S.Food and Drug Administration for possible contamination.The FDA recalled Lucky Foods brand cinnamon powder on Tuesday after an analysis conducted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets found high levels of lead.
It’s unclear how the product became contaminated.Lead may be present in food products as a result of the environment in which they’re grown or processed.
The FDA said the distributor, TBC Distribution Corp.of Brooklyn, N.Y., has ceased working with the supplier.
No illnesses in connection with the tainted cinnamon have been reported.Lucky Foods cinnamon powder is packaged in a vacuum or modified atmosphere pouch — a way of extending shelf life.The packages each contain 40 grams of cinnamon.
The FDA did not provide a UPC code for the affected product.Lucky Foods’ cinnamon powder was distributed between April 11 and Sept.
1 to grocery stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, delis, bakeries and restaurants in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.Adverse effects depend on the level of lead in the food, the age of the consumer and the frequency of exposure.
Short-term or very low levels of exposure may not cause any symptoms beyond elevated lead levels in blood tests, according to the FDA.If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period of time (weeks to months), permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur.
This can result in learning disorders, developmental defects and other long-term health problems, according to the FDA.For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension and neurocognitive effects.The FDA did not provide specific instructions for the recalled cinnamo...