Cinnamon Powder – Swad Brand Of Patel Brothers Flagged By FDA For Lead
India-West News Desk
WASHINGTON, DC – In a public health alert issued on March 6, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised consumers against purchasing specific ground cinnamon products available at various retailers, including the Swad brand of Patel Brothers.
The FDA’s warning follows the October 2023 recall of cinnamon apple puree and applesauce products, where elevated lead levels were linked to the cinnamon content, raising concerns about lead toxicity in children.
In response to these concerns, the FDA initiated a targeted survey of ground cinnamon products from discount retail stores. Samples from six distributors, including Swad at Patel Brothers, revealed elevated lead levels ranging from 2.03 to 3.4 parts per million. The warning also specifically highlights products from La Fiesta, Marcum, MTCI, Supreme Tradition, and El Chilar, sold at various retail outlets.
According to the FDA, product testing has revealed that these ground cinnamon products contain elevated levels of lead, posing potential health risks with prolonged exposure. The agency recommends that consumers immediately discard and refrain from buying these identified ground cinnamon products.
Additionally, the FDA has urged the respective firms to voluntarily recall the affected products.
FDA asked consumers to cease using and dispose of the specified ground cinnamon items listed in the FDA’s announcement. “Given the products’ extended shelf life, individuals are encouraged to thoroughly check their homes for any of the identified items and discard them accordingly,” it said.
Patel Brothers is the largest supermarket chain serving the Indian diaspora, with 51 locations in 20 U.S. states. Headquartered in Chicago, the chain was founded by brothers Mafat and Tulsi Patel and has been operated by three generations of family since its inception, according to Wikipedia. Swad is an original and the main brand for Patel Brothers. Its popular products include ghee, nuts, and spices.
Jayananda Hiranandani
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How about some research and development to eliminate lead? Or would better quality control solve the issue>
March 7, 2024Pradeep Srivastava
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The following article provides additional details on this issue.
“FDA warns consumers to stop using six brands of ground cinnamon found to have high levels of lead
By: CNN
Posted: Mar 6, 2024 4:25 PM CDT”
The following is an important excerpt from the above article.
“The FDA has advised manufacturers to recall these products and says consumers who have them at home should stop using them and throw them away.
The brands are:
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 SF 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
The concentrations of lead in the ground cinnamon products ranged from 2 to 3.4 parts per million, according to the FDA; the concentrations of lead found in the cinnamon applesauce pouches were thousands of times higher: between about 2,300 parts per million and about 5,100 parts per million.
Most people have no obvious immediate symptoms of lead exposure. The FDA says that someone who may have been exposed to elevated levels of lead should talk to a health care provider.“
March 11, 2024