Tag: Cinnamon lead

In the fall of 2023, more than 500 children in the U.S. were sickened by lead-contaminated cinnamon applesauce pouches, shining a harsh spotlight on heavy metals in our food supply. This incident has led many consumers to ask a critical question: is cinnamon has lead, even in its unadulterated form? The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no, involving environmental factors, processing methods, and regulatory gaps.

According to a Consumer Reports study, one-third of ground cinnamon products and spice blends tested were found to contain lead levels above one part per million, a recall trigger in New York State. This highlights the serious public health concern regarding what spices have lead in them, often unknowingly, through various contamination pathways.

Following a series of recalls involving lead-tainted cinnamon products, Consumer Reports tested several major spice brands in 2024 to address public safety concerns. These tests revealed that McCormick brand cinnamon was found to contain very low levels of lead, placing it in a mid-tier safety category, far below the worst-offending brands that triggered recalls.

According to a 2024 Consumer Reports investigation, testing revealed that McCormick cinnamon had a relatively low lead level of 0.23 ppm, which falls well below the threshold that triggered recalls for other brands. This information is crucial for consumers asking, 'Does McCormick cinnamon have a lot of lead in it?,' especially in light of recent recalls concerning other cinnamon products.