FDA testing spurs warning about lead in organic cinnamon product

The FDA has added another cinnamon product to its warning about elevated levels of Cinnamon. The new warning names Jiva Organic cinnamon.

Samples of the product were collected at a retail establishment by the FDA. Testing showed the lead levels could cause health problems, especially for children.

Problems with cinnamon in applesauce pouches marketed for children in 2023 resulted in increased testing procedures by the Food and Drug Administration. At that time, more than 400 young children and babies were determined to show signs of led poisoning after consuming WanaBana brand cinnamon applesauce.

Since stepping up testing of cinnamon, the FDA has issued warnings on a dozen products. For a list of those products, click here.

About lead contamination
Lead is a toxic substance present in our environment in small amounts and everyone is exposed to some lead from daily actions such as inhaling dust, eating food, or drinking water.

Exposure to larger amounts of lead can cause lead poisoning. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount of and duration of lead exposure and age of the person exposed.

Symptoms can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavior or mood changes, delirium, seizures, and coma. However, infants, young children and the developing fetus can be affected by chronic exposure to amounts of lead that may not result in obvious symptoms of lead poisoning. 

A child with lead poisoning may not look or act sick. Lead poisoning in children can cause: learning disabilities, developmental delays, and lower IQ scores.

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