One dozen of 36 cinnamon products tested by a consumer group contained elevated levels of lead, according to a study released on Thursday that reinforced concerns about metals in foods after tainted cinnamon applesauce poisoned dozens of children last year.
The study, by Consumer Reports, documented levels that were far lower than the amounts discovered last year.
An agency spokeswoman said the F.D.A. had no authority to require companies to test final products for heavy metals, including foods consumed by babies and toddlers, who are particularly sensitive to the effects of lead. Their intestines absorb more lead, and their blood-brain barrier is still developing, Dr. Guilarte said.
The agency said it was asking Congress for the power to require food companies to do such testing and to review company records remotely whenever necessary.
I imagine this will increase the cost of cinnamon (and spices in general), but if it catches more lead in food, it might be worth it.
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looks like Blogger doesn't work with anonymous comments from Chrome browsers at the moment - works in Microsoft Edge, or from Chrome with a Blogger account - sorry! CJ 3/21/20