Food and Beverage
Cinnamon, spice and ‘everything nice’ – why lead-tainted cinnamon products have turned up on shelves, and what questions consumers should ask
A Consumer Reports investigation revealed alarming lead levels in ground cinnamon, prompting concerns over safety, especially for children and pregnant women.
Katarzyna Kordas, University at Buffalo
Spices bring up feelings of comfort, cultural belonging and holidays. They can make our homes smell amazing and our food taste delicious. They can satisfy our cravings, expand our culinary horizons and help us eat things that we might normally dislike. Spices have health-enhancing properties and, in medicine, have been used to heal people since the ancient times.
Recently, however, spices have been getting a bad rep.
In September 2024, Consumer Reports, a nonprofit organization created to inform consumers about products sold in the U.S., investigated more than three dozen ground cinnamon products and found that 1 in 3 contained lead levels above 1 part per million, enough to trigger a recall in New York, one U.S. state that has published guidelines for heavy metals in spices.
The Food and Drug Administration issued three alerts throughout 2024, warning consumers about lead in certain brands of cinnamon products. Such notices rightfully put consumers on alert and have people wondering if the spice products they buy are safe – or not. https://www.youtube.com/embed/QxAwznMht8M?wmode=transparent&start=0 A Consumer Reports investigation of more than three dozen ground cinnamon products found that 1 in 3 contain lead levels above 1 part per million.
As an environmental epidemiologist with training in nutritional sciences, I have investigated the relationship between nutritional status, diets and heavy metal exposures in children.
There are several things consumers should be thinking about when it comes to lead – and other heavy metals – in cinnamon.
Why is lead found in cinnamon?
Most people are familiar with cinnamon in two forms – sticks and ground spice. Both come from the dried inner bark of the cinnamon tree, which is harvested after a few years of cultivation. For the U.S. market, cinnamon is largely imported from Indonesia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, India and China.
One way that lead could accumulate in cinnamon tree bark is when trees are cultivated in contaminated soil. Lead can also be introduced in cinnamon products during processing, such as grinding.
When ground cinnamon is prepared, some producers may add lead compounds intentionally to enhance the weight or color of the product and, thus, fetch a higher sale price. This is known as “food adulteration,” and products with known or suspected adulteration are refused entry into the U.S.
However, in the fall of 2023, approximately 600 cases of elevated blood lead levels in the U.S., defined as levels equal to or above 3.5 micrograms per deciliter – mostly among children – were linked to the consumption of certain brands of cinnamon apple sauce. The levels of lead in cinnamon used to manufacture those products ranged from 2,270 to 5,110 parts per million, indicating food adulteration. The manufacturing plant was investigated by the FDA.
More broadly, spices purchased from vendors in the U.S. have lower lead levels than those sold abroad.
There is some evidence that cinnamon sticks have lower lead levels than ground spice. Lead levels in ground cinnamon sold in the U.S. and analyzed by Consumer Reports ranged from 0.02 to 3.52 parts per million. These levels were at least 1,500 times lower than in the adulterated cinnamon.
There are no federal guidelines for lead or other heavy metals in spices. New York state has proposed even stricter guidelines than its current level of 1 part per million, which would allow the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets to remove products from commerce if lead levels exceed 0.21 parts per million.
What does it mean that ‘the dose makes the poison’?
The current FDA guideline on daily intake of lead from diets overall is to limit lead intake to 2.2 micrograms per day for children. For women of reproductive age, this value is 8.8 micrograms.
The lead dose we are exposed to from foods depends on the level of lead in the food and how much of that food we eat. Higher doses mean more potential harm. The frequency with which we consume foods – meaning daily versus occasionally – also matters.
For spices like cinnamon, the amount and frequency of consumption depends on cultural traditions and personal preference. For many, cinnamon is a seasonal spice; others use it year-round in savory dishes or sauces.
Cinnamon is beloved in baked goods. Take a cinnamon roll recipe calling for 1.5 tablespoons (slightly less than 12 grams) of the spice. If a recipe yields 12 rolls, each will have around 1 gram of cinnamon. In the Consumer Reports investigation, some cinnamon products were classified as “okay to use” or “best to use.”
The highest value of lead in cinnamon products in the “okay to use” category was 0.87 parts per million, and in the “best to use” category, it was 0.15 parts per million. A child would have to consume 2.5 or more rolls made with the “okay to use” cinnamon to exceed the FDA guideline on limiting lead intake from foods to 2.2 micrograms per day, assuming that no other food contained lead. To exceed this guideline with “best to use” cinnamon, a child would have to eat 15 or more rolls.
Can cinnamon contribute to elevated blood lead levels?
Because of lead’s effects on development in early life, the greatest concern is for exposure in young children and pregnant women. Lead is absorbed in the small intestine, where it can latch onto cellular receptors that evolved to carry iron and other metals.
The impact of a contaminated spice on a person’s blood lead level depends on the dose of exposure and the proportion of lead available for intestinal absorption. For several spices, the proportion of available lead was 49%, which means that about half of the lead that is ingested will be absorbed.
Lead absorption is higher after a fast of three hours or more, and skipping breakfast may contribute to higher blood lead levels in children.
People who have nutritional deficiencies, such as iron deficiency, also tend to absorb more lead and have higher blood lead levels. This is because our bodies compensate for the deficiency by producing more receptors to capture iron from foods. Lead takes advantage of the additional receptors to enter the body. Young children and pregnant women are at higher risk for developing iron deficiency, so there is good reason for vigilance about lead in the foods they consume.
Studies show that among children with lead poisoning in the U.S., contaminated spices were one of several sources of lead exposure. Studies that estimate blood lead levels from statistical models suggest that consuming 5 micrograms of lead or more from spices daily could substantially contribute to elevated blood lead levels.
For occasional or seasonal consumption, or lower levels of contamination, more research is needed to understand how lead in spices would affect lead levels in the blood.
For people who have other sources of lead in their homes, jobs or hobbies, additional lead from foods or spices may matter more because it adds to the cumulative dose from multiple exposure sources.
How to test for elevated blood lead levels
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children at risk for lead exposure get a blood lead test at 1 and 2 years of age. Older children can also get tested. Finger-prick screening tests are often available in pediatric offices, but results may need to be confirmed in venous blood if the screening result was elevated.
Adults in the U.S. are not routinely tested for lead exposure, but concerned couples who plan on having children should talk to their health care providers.
What to consider when using or buying cinnamon or other spices
If the product is on an FDA Alert or the Consumer Reports “don’t use” list, discard it.
Other questions to consider are:
- Does your household use spices frequently and in large amounts?
- Do young children or pregnant women in your household consume spices?
- Do you typically consume spices on breakfast foods or beverages?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then buy good-quality products, from large, reputable sellers. Think about using cinnamon sticks if possible.
And continue to enjoy spices!
Katarzyna Kordas, Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Environmental Health, University at Buffalo
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Food and Beverage
Hidden Valley Ranch Teams Up with Pizza Hut and Eli Manning to Launch New Easy Squeeze Bottle and First-Ever Collectible Pizza
Eli Manning to Use the new Hidden Valley Ranch Easy Squeeze Bottle to Autograph Pizza Hut Pizza Creating Crave-worthy Memorabilia
Fans Can Win a Year’s Supply of Hidden Valley Ranch and Pizza Hut Pizza to Create Signature Moments All Year Long
OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hidden Valley ® Ranch, the nation’s original ranch dressing brand, is changing the game with the launch of its brand-new Easy Squeeze bottle, making it even easier to add ranch flavor to anything. To celebrate the launch and just in time for the Big Game, Hidden Valley Ranch is teaming up with Pizza Hut and football legend, Eli Manning, to create the one-of-a-kind Hidden Valley Ranch Signature Pizza, delivered by Pizza Hut.
This unexpected collectible is a crave-worthy Pizza Hut pepperoni pizza, autographed by Eli Manning using the precision and control of the new Hidden Valley Ranch Easy Squeeze bottle and preserved in resin for eternity. PSA – the largest and most respected third-party authentication and grading company for trading cards and memorabilia – will authenticate the prized pizza. Football, ranch and pizza enthusiasts can learn more about how to win the forever-lasting memorabilia here.
“Our new bottle design is a game-changer for ranch lovers, making it easier than ever to enjoy every drop of Hidden Valley Ranch without the mess,” said CC Ciafone, marketing director at Hidden Valley Ranch. “We’re thrilled to team up with two icons, Pizza Hut and Eli Manning, to create a one-of-a-kind ranch and pizza experience that combines great food, legendary talent, and our new Easy Squeeze bottle.”
Here’s what’s at stake:
- Grand Prize: One lucky winner will receive the one-of-a-kind Hidden Valley Ranch Signature Pizza encased in resin, along with a year’s supply of Hidden Valley Ranch and a year’s worth of Pizza Hut pizza.
- 10 Runners-Up: 10 runners-up will receive a year’s supply of Hidden Valley Ranch and a Pizza Hut pizza to create your own signature moments.
“Pizza Hut is always looking for innovative ways to bring excitement to the table, and partnering with Hidden Valley Ranch to celebrate their Easy Squeeze bottle is the perfect match,” said Melissa Friebe, Chief Marketing Officer at Pizza Hut. “This experience brings this dynamic duo together in a fun and memorable way, celebrating the deep love fans have for both.”
How to Enter**
Ranch and football fans alike can enter the sweepstakes via social media starting on January 15, 2025, through kickoff on February 9, 2025. Visit www.HVRSignaturePizza.com to find step-by-step instructions on how to enter. Submissions will be accepted until 6:30 pm EST on Feb. 9. Don’t miss your chance to savor the excitement and take your ranch game to the next level.
The new bottle will feature several consumer benefits including:
- Improved Flow Control Cap: No mess, no drips—just clean, controlled pours every time.
- Inverted Easy-Squeeze Bottle: Enjoy every drop while eliminating ranch waste in this easier-to-hold-and-control design.
The new design, which will be available in both 16oz and 24oz, will be on shelves at retailers nationwide beginning in March 2025.
To learn more about Hidden Valley Ranch, exclusive recipes and more, visit www.hiddenvalley.com.
ABOUT HIDDEN VALLEY RANCH
Founded in 1954, Hidden Valley® Ranch is the nation’s original ranch dressing brand and America’s favorite ranch.*. Bottled Hidden Valley Original Ranch and Hidden Valley Ranch Seasonings & Packets come in a variety of flavors and forms for fans to enjoy the ranch flavor they love across all mealtime and snacking occasions. Hidden Valley Ranch products, including Hidden Valley Original Ranch Seasoning, Dressing & Dip Mix, Hidden Valley Restaurant-Style Ranch Dressing Recipe Mix, Plant Powered Hidden Valley Ranch Topping & Dressing and more, can be found in grocery retailers nationwide and online. Follow us! www.instagram.com/hidden.valley/ and www.tiktok.com/@hiddenvalleyranch. Learn more at HiddenValley.com.
* Based on IRI unit sales data L52WE 08/25/24 for Hidden Valley Original Ranch
About Pizza Hut®
Pizza Hut, a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE: YUM), was founded in 1958 in Wichita, Kansas and since then has earned a reputation as a trailblazer in innovation with the creation of icons like Original Pan® and Original Stuffed Crust® pizzas. In 1994, Pizza Hut pizza was the very first online food order. Today, Pizza Hut continues leading the way in the digital and technology space with over half of transactions worldwide coming from digital orders. Pizza Hut is committed to providing an easy pizza experience – from order to delivery – and has Hut Rewards®, the Pizza Hut loyalty program that offers points for every dollar spent on food any way you order. Hut Rewards is open to U.S. residents 18+. See applicable terms at https://hutrewards.pizzahut.com/terms/. A global leader in the pizza category, Pizza Hut operates more than 19,500 restaurants in more than 100 countries. Through its enormous presence, Pizza Hut works to unlock opportunity for its team members and communities around the world.
For more information, visit www.pizzahut.com. You can remain up to date on what’s happening at Pizza Hut by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and subscribing to our YouTube channel.
ALISON BROD MARKETING + COMMUNICATIONS
[email protected]
** NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 U.S. (D.C.) 18 YEARS OR OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Ends 2/9/25. See Official Rules, for entry req’s, prize details & odds disclosure, at www.HVRSignaturePizza.com. Sponsors: HV Food Products Co., 1221 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94607 & Pizza Hut, Inc., 7100 Corporate Dr., Plano, TX 75024.
CLX-B
SOURCE Hidden Valley® Ranch
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Sensei introduces a new customer experience with democratic entry, simplified real-time basket checkout, discrepancy detection and streamlining the grocery experience for customers.
NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — Sensei (https://www.sensei.tech/), a global leader in autonomous retail technology, is proud to announce the official debut of its groundbreaking autonomous supermarket at NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show, taking place in New York City from January 12-14. Sensei introduces real-time basket technology and an autonomous experience with assisted sales; transforming customer convenience and operational efficiency.
“Sensei’s technology goes beyond eliminating checkout lines – it enhances the entire shopping journey while providing retailers with invaluable real-time data to optimize their operations,” said Vasco Portugal, CEO and Co-Founder of Sensei. “We’re excited to bring this transformative solution to larger scale supermarkets and challenge the retail industry with what’s possible.“
At NRF 2025, Sensei will showcase a live demo of its autonomous store concept at Booth 117 in the FoodService Innovation Zone. Attendees will experience firsthand how Sensei’s technology creates a seamless shopping experience, combining:
- Autonomous Grocery Solutions: Consumers grab items like cereal, milk, or pasta, and their virtual basket updates in real-time.
- Assisted Sales Integration: Retailers can redeploy staff from checkout lines to high-value roles, such as supporting bakery or deli operations.
- Smart Integration: Automated systems like coffee machines can be seamlessly incorporated into the autonomous ecosystem.
Pioneering Retail Innovation
Sensei’s proprietary AI technology combines computer vision, machine learning and sensors to achieve 99% accuracy in tracking consumer interactions with products, a significant improvement over existing autonomous solutions. Shoppers enjoy transparency, as purchases are displayed in real-time, eliminating the friction of scanning and lines.
Exclusive Launch Announcement
Sensei’s presence at NRF coincides with the launch of its 1,200+ square-meter autonomous supermarket in Portugal, in partnership with MC (Sonae Group), the country’s leading grocery retailer. This groundbreaking achievement sets a new benchmark for large-scale autonomous retail environments. Store features include:
- Democratic Entry: No app, card, or registration is required to enter the store. The entry is open as in any regular supermarket.
- Diverse and Comprehensive Assortment: The store offers a range of products similar to a traditional supermarket, including solutions like weighable fruits and vegetables, a fish market with service, and bakery and pastry options sold in bulk.
- Simplified Checkout: Thanks to “real-time basket” technology, customers don’t need to scan products. At checkout, items automatically appear on the screen for confirmation, eliminating the need to remove products from bags or carts.
- Discrepancy Detection: The technology identifies discrepancies between what the customer picked up (e.g., fruits and vegetables) and what was actually weighted, ensuring greater control and accuracy throughout the shopping journey.
This innovative retail environment integrates AI-powered computer vision, shelf sensors, and real-time inventory tracking to provide unparalleled accuracy and convenience for consumers while delivering valuable behavioral insights and operational efficiencies for retailers.
Visit Sensei at NRF 2025
Sensei will host autonomous store demo at its booth (#117) in the FoodService Innovation Zone at NRF 2025. Explore how autonomous solutions can revolutionize grocery stores, convenience stores, and beyond.
About Sensei
Sensei is the leading European provider of autonomous retail technology, a pioneer in the industry, it was the first technology company to open fully autonomous stores in Europe, Latin America and Brazil. Through an advanced infrastructure that combines AI, computer vision, and sensor fusion, Sensei builds experiences that make shopping more intuitive and generate unprecedented store metrics and performance insights for businesses. www.sensei.tech
SOURCE Sensei Tech
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Food and Beverage
TUMS Teams Up with DraftKings to Launch TUMS Fantasy Foodball Pool, Making Gameday Food Dreams a Reality
TUMS has launched the Fantasy Foodball Pool with DraftKings, allowing fans to select favorite foods for a chance to win a share of $40,000 in prizes while addressing heartburn concerns during game day.
Fans can draft their top food and drink picks for a free shot at
winning a share of $40,000 in total cash prizes
WARREN, N.J. /PRNewswire/ — As hundreds of millions prepare to tune into the biggest day in football, a new survey from TUMS has revealed that 1 in 4 viewers will be focused on the real MVP: the food.* To celebrate gameday foodies, TUMS has teamed up with DraftKings to launch TUMS Fantasy Foodball Pool, a first-of-its-kind free online game where players can create a lineup made entirely of their favorite food and drink combinations. No matter the plate – fantasy or real – TUMS provides fast relief when occasional heartburn strikes so fans can tackle unwanted symptoms and get back to their beloved gameday bites. Age and eligibility restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. See terms at www.draftkings.com/tumsfoodball. Contest facilitated by DraftKings.
Food lovers can visit www.DraftKings.com/TUMSFoodball to play up to four rounds of TUMS Fantasy Foodball Pool for free for a shot at winning a share of $40,000 in total cash prizes. From tailgate plates and spicy bites to sweet treats and New Orleans cuisine, fans can draft their top six food and drink choices from a menu of 36 items from now up to the Big Game following food-related themes:
- Jan. 6 to 12: Tailgate Foods
- Jan. 13 to 19: Spicy Foods
- Jan. 20 to 26: Sweet Foods
- Jan. 27 to Feb. 9: New Orleans Foods
Each round of TUMS Fantasy Foodball Pool features the top foods and drinks selected by a survey of 2,000 Americans*, ensuring plates will be filled with the most popular options, including the top 10 foods on respondents’ Big Game plates: barbecue (34%), hot wings (33%), seven-layer dip (24%), brownies (22%), chicken tenders/nuggets (22%), nachos (21%), pizza (20%), buffalo chicken dip (20%), fries (17%) and mini sliders and/or burgers (16%). According to that survey, 54 percent of people believe that the gameday food spread has the power to make or break the experience. However, consistent snackers also note that enjoying these foods can occasionally lead to unwanted symptoms, with 1 in 4 citing heartburn as a potential outcome. Looking for a solution, 1 in 3 survey respondents said they hope their host has an antacid on hand.
To bring the delicious combination of football and food to the table, TUMS has partnered with former two-time professional football champion and food enthusiast, Vince Wilfork. An avid cook, Wilfork will lend his expertise from the field to the table and share his personal experience with tackling occasional heartburn.
“Nothing should stand between fans and their favorite foods, especially on gameday, so I’m thrilled to partner with TUMS to help foodies like me celebrate without the worry of heartburn getting in the way,” said Wilfork, who is a brand fan and user himself. “Since leaving the field, I never watch a game without my must-have foods, like brisket and ribs that are grilled low and slow, hot wings, sliders and brownies, my favorite dessert. When these occasionally cause heartburn, I reach for TUMS for fast relief.”
TUMS has reinvigorated its free-to-play pool concept with DraftKings to create TUMS Fantasy Foodball Pool and give fans an engaging way to bring food to the forefront of gameday.
“The fans have spoken – food is clearly a big part of any football watch party, and we’re thrilled to give them a competitive way to celebrate their love of gameday bites,” said Patricia Melo, Brand Director for TUMS. “Although the foods we love can occasionally lead to symptoms of heartburn, TUMS provides fast relief, allowing fans to feel rest-assured that they won’t have to sideline their fun.”
“We learned first-hand just how passionate fans are about food as a result of our successful collaboration with TUMS last year,” said Jay Danahy, Head of Revenue, DraftKings Media & Sponsorships. “We’re thrilled to be working with TUMS once again, giving food fans a new way to engage on game day centered around their most valuable plate picks and a free shot at winning a share of cash prizes.”
In addition to providing fans with an opportunity to indulge in their food plate fantasies, TUMS will kick off Big Game Weekend in the heart of the New Orleans food and libations culture with an event taking place at Bourbon Heat on Feb. 7. Open to the public, attendees will have the opportunity to try samples of TUMS Chewy Bites, enjoy exclusive merch and giveaways (while supplies last), and learn how to play the final round of the free TUMS Fantasy Foodball Pool.
For more information on TUMS and its range of products, follow the brand on Instagram and TikTok (@TUMSofficial) or visit www.TUMS.com.
*Data from a survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of TUMS from Dec. 5 to Dec. 10, 2024, with a sample of 2,000 Americans aged 21–43.
About TUMS
TUMS Chewy Bites offer tasty and effective occasional heartburn relief so you can savor the moment. They provide multi-symptom relief, including heartburn, sour stomach, acid indigestion relief, and upset stomach relief. TUMS Gummy Bites go to work in seconds* for occasional heartburn relief, plus feature a soft, easy-to-chew format and multi-benefit relief from occasional sour stomach, acid indigestion, and upset stomach. TUMS are the #1 recommended antacid brand by doctors, pharmacists and OBGYNs. TUMS is America’s #1 antacid with a wide variety of flavors and formats that offer something for everyone.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
About Haleon US
Haleon (NYSE: HLN) is a leading global consumer health company with a purpose to deliver better everyday health with humanity. Haleon’s product portfolio spans six major categories: Oral Health, Pain Relief, Respiratory Health, Digestive Health, Sexual Health, and Wellness. Built on trusted science, innovation, and deep human understanding, Haleon’s U.S. brands include Abreva, Advil, Benefiber, Centrum, Emergen-C, Eroxon, Excedrin, Flonase, Gas-X, Nexium, Nicorette, Parodontax, Polident, Preparation H, Pronamel, Sensodyne, Robitussin, Theraflu, TUMS, Voltaren, and more. For more information on Haleon and its brands, please visit www.haleon.com or contact [email protected].
SOURCE TUMS
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