Health & Fitness
Elevated Lead Levels Found In Badia Ground Cinnamon, Ginger: NYS
Consumers who purchased the products should discard them, state officials said, warning lead exposure can cause health problems.
NEW YORK — Elevated levels of lead were found in ground ginger and ground cinnamon manufactured by Badia Spices Inc., a company based in Doral, Florida, New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball announced Sunday.
Badia ground ginger, sold in 1.5-ounce clear plastic bottles with black plastic caps with UPC Code #033844002237 and lot number 307922, is subject to the alert, according to the department. Badia Ground Cinnamon, sold in 2-ounce clear plastic bottles with black plastic caps with UPC Code #033844000158 and lot numbers 305481 and 309528, are also subject to the alert. Both products were sold at multiple retailers within New York state.
Badia Spices Inc. did not respond to Patch's request for comment.
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Exposure to lead may cause health problems to consumers, particularly infants, small children, pregnant women, and those with underlying kidney disorders, according to the department. If a child or a pregnant woman is exposed to lead for a prolonged period of time, permanent damage to the central nervous system, learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems can occur, the state wrote.
Lead and lead compounds are "reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens," according to the Department of Health and Human Services, cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified lead as a "probable human carcinogen."
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No illnesses have been reported as of Thursday, the department said.
"Consumers concerned about an injury or illness associated with this product should immediately contact a healthcare provider," officials stated.
The contamination was discovered after analysis by New York State Food Laboratory personnel revealed the product tested above the 1-part per million action level for lead in spices.
"Consumers who may have purchased these products should not consume them and are advised to discard the product immediately," the department wrote.
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