Recent recalls of lead found in ground cinnamon and also in imported cookware have raised health concerns about lead exposure. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled several brands of ground cinnamon nationwide. The FDA is also actively working to remove imported cookware from the market that may leach lead into food when used for cooking.
Lead in the environment can be taken up by plants and ingested by animals and enter the food supply. Lead is more common in certain foods and in foods grown in geographical areas with higher levels of environmental lead contamination. In addition, lead used in some types of pottery may leach into foods.
Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status, and there is no known safe level of exposure to lead. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and fetuses. Consuming food with elevated lead levels can contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood. Children and babies are more susceptible to lead toxicity due to their smaller body size, metabolism, and rapid growth. At low levels, children may not have obvious symptoms but can still experience trouble learning, low IQ, and behavior changes. At higher levels of lead exposure, people may experience fatigue, headache, stomach pain, vomiting, or neurologic changes.
When any recall is issued, the best advise is to stop using the food or equipment. You can try to return it to the vendor for a refund, or throw it away. If you are suspicious of having lead exposure, contact your health care provider.
