BARRON COUNTY -- In 2023 and 2024, several brands of cinnamon were found to contain lead. Many cinnamon companies are now testing their products to make sure they're safe.
"Cinnamon has a long shelf life," explains Karla Potts-Shufelt, Barron County Health Officer. "You might have cinnamon in your kitchen that you bought before last year's lead discovery. We want to make sure the food and spices in your home are safe."
If you bought cinnamon before August 2024, please check if your cinnamon is on the FDA's food alert website or simply throw out older cinnamon and buy a new container. You can find the full list of affected cinnamon products by searching "cinnamon lead recall" online.
Lead is not safe at any level. Most people don't show obvious signs when exposed to lead. Children are more sensitive to lead because they are smaller and still growing. Lead exposure can affect how children learn and behave.
Health experts recommend blood lead tests for all children at ages 1 and 2. One blood lead test is recommended for children ages 3-5 who weren't tested earlier.
"Chipping and peeling paint in homes built before 1978 is still the main cause of lead poisoning in children," Potts-Shufelt adds. "We also want to make sure our community isn't exposed to lead through food."
Need More Information? Look online for lead poisoning information, talk with your doctor, or call Barron County Public Health at 715-537-5691, ext. 6442.
Last Update: Feb 20, 2025 1:36 pm CST
