These 6 Brands of Cinnamon Have Lead – Throw Them Out
Cinnamon can be delicious, but not when it contains lead. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is actively investigating tainted cinnamon products, which began with a recall of cinnamon applesauce pouches last October that contained lead.
Now, the FDA says it’s found that several brands of ground cinnamon have elevated lead levels. According to the agency, in addition to the cinnamon, more than 460 confirmed and suspected cases of lead poisoning have come from applesauce pouches from the WanaBana, Schnucks, or Weis brands. These applesauce pouches contained cinnamon imported from Ecuador. Now, the FDA says it’s sent a letter to all U.S. cinnamon manufacturers, processors, distributors, and facility operators with a reminder to prevent contamination. “The FDA will continue to work with manufacturers, distributors, and retailers to remove unsafe products from the market and to further investigate the sources of the lead contamination as appropriate,” they added.
The FDA is advising consumers to throw away and not buy ground cinnamon products from a handful of brands “because samples of these products were found to contain elevated levels of lead. Based on the FDA’s assessment, prolonged exposure to these products may be unsafe and contribute to elevated lead levels in the blood.”
The brands in question are as follows. If you have any of these in your home, throw them out. For more information on the recall, go here. The FDA also recommends eating “many different foods from the five food groups” and “alternate how often you provide the same food.”
- La Fiesta, lot 25033, sold at La Superior SuperMercados
- Marcum, best by 10/16/25 and 4/06/25, sold at Save A Lot
- MTCI sold at S.F. Supermarket
- Swad, lot KX21223, sold at Patel Brothers
- Supreme Tradition, best buy dates from 4/25 through 9/25, sold at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar
- El Chillar, F275EX1026, and D300EX1024, sold at La Joya Morelense in Baltimore, Maryland
You Should Probably Skip These Foods At A Breakfast Buffet
Eggs
Many establishments opt for powdered eggs instead of fresh ones, as it’s a cost-effective way to prepare large quantities of scrambled eggs to cater to numerous guests at once. However, powdered eggs cannot compare to the taste, texture, and color of their fresh counterparts. Another concern lies in the fact that these eggs are pre-cooked, which means they might sit at unsafe temperatures for extended periods.
According to the FDA, serving eggs immediately after cooking is crucial to prevent foodborne illnesses. Unfortunately, in a buffet setting, it’s challenging to determine how long the eggs have been sitting out.
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Fruit
Unless you witnessed the fruit being freshly prepared in the kitchen, it’s nearly impossible to gauge how long that eye-catching fruit display has been sitting there. According to the FDA, when fruits are cut, their protective skins are breached, leaving the flesh vulnerable to the surrounding environment and any potential bacteria. This creates two primary reasons that heighten the risk of contamination. Firstly, cutting the fruit makes its water content and nutrients readily available to microorganisms. Secondly, without any heating process, disease-causing germs aren’t eliminated, further contributing to the potential hazards of consuming cut fruits from a buffet display.
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Waffles
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There’s a joy of pouring your own batter into a Belgian waffle maker, flipping it eagerly, and waiting for that gratifying green light before embellishing it with toppings. However, it’s best to exercise caution and avoid the waffle station. As per TikToker Brandi Augustus, a former hotel employee, the waffle batter served there is often old and sour. Instead of disposing of the old batter, new batter is mixed with it. It’s worth noting that not all places offering breakfast buffets adhere to this practice, but it’s wise to stay informed and make a decision based on the circumstances.
