Delaware Division of Public Health Reports High Levels of Lead in Certain Cinnamon Products

Dear Lead-Free Delaware Advocates,

We are sharing the alert information posted March 7th on Delaware's Health Alert Notification Page and Delaware.Gov News on March 8th. 

Please share with your networks as this alert expands the prior alert. 

DPH Reports High Levels of Lead in Certain Cinnamon Products

DOVER, DE (Mar. 8, 2024) – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified high lead levels in several ground cinnamon products. Several stores, including Dollar Tree, Save A Lot and Family Dollar, sold cinnamon products that contain lead levels that could be potentially harmful to consumers, particularly children. Signs and symptoms may include headaches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, changes in activity level and anemia. No illnesses or other health effects have been reported to the FDA and Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) in connection with the new ground cinnamon alert.

The FDA recommended recalls this week of ground cinnamon from six distributors that had high lead levels, including:

• Marcum Ground Cinnamon from Save A Lot
• MK from SF Supermarket
• Swad Cinnamon Powder from Patel Brothers
• Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon from Dollar Tree and Family Dollar
• El Chilar from La Joya Morelense
• La Fiesta from La Superior SuperMercados

Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores since voluntarily pulled these products from their shelves, and consumers can return these products for a refund.

The ground cinnamon products should not be purchased by consumers, and any containers at home should be disposed of immediately. To properly discard the product, consumers and retailers should carefully open the pouch or jar and empty the content into a trash can before discarding the packaging to prevent others from salvaging recalled product from the trash. Clean up any spills after discarding the product and then wash your hands.

DPH has notified health care providers via the Health Alert Network that several ground cinnamon products have high lead levels. Additionally, the agency encouraged providers to offer blood lead levels testing to those who have consumed these products and/or who have symptoms of lead poisoning. According to the FDA, here is no safe level of lead exposure for humans. Growing children are especially vulnerable to the effects of long-term lead exposure, including learning disabilities, behavioral difficulties and lower IQ.

DPH remains vigilant as it monitors statewide conditions. Lead screenings are also available at State Service Centers statewide. Cases can be reported to the DPH Office of Lead Poisoning Prevention by emailing HSPContact@Delaware.gov.

For more information about the ground cinnamon products, visit https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/fda-alert-concerning-certain-cinnamon-products-due-presence-elevated-levels-lead. Other recalled products by the FDA can be found by visiting https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts.

Sandford Family Croquet Sets Recalled Due to Violations of the Federal Lead Paint and Phthalates Bans; Sold Exclusively on Amazon by DOM Sports

Name of Product:

Sandford Family 6-Player Croquet Sets

Hazard:

The paint or surface coating on the red mallet, blue mallet, red hoop, and winning post contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead paint ban, posing a lead poisoning hazard. In addition, the coating on the red and blue mallets contains levels of regulated phthalates that exceed the prohibition of specific phthalates. Lead and phthalates are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health issues.

Remedy:

Replace

Recall Date:

February 29, 2024

Units:

About 113

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Sandford-Family-Croquet-Sets-Recalled-Due-to-Violations-of-the-Federal-Lead-Paint-and-Phthalates-Bans-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-by-DOM-Sports?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Delaware Health Alert Notifications 2023 - High Blood Lead Levels in Children Consuming Recalled Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches December 26, 2023

Delaware Health Alert Notifications 2023

High Blood Lead Levels in Children Consuming Recalled Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches 

December 26, 2023

Litti City and Litti Pritti Dress-up Playsets and Prextex Slime Eggs Recalled Due to Violations of Federal Phthalates and Lead Content Bans; Imported by Perch, Amusty and Bingo Deals (Recall Alert)

 

Name of Product:

Litti City Premier Doctor Playset and Teacher Purse Set, Litti Pritti Stylist Handbag Set, and Prextex Slime Eggs

Hazard:

All the dress-up playsets and the slime eggs contain levels of certain phthalates that exceed the federal phthalate standard. In addition, the Litti City teacher purse dress-up playset, the Litti Pritti handbag playset, and the slime eggs contain levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Lead and phthalates are toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects.

Remedy:

Refund

Recall Date:

December 21, 2023

Units:

About 205,000

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Litti-City-and-Litti-Pritti-Dress-up-Playsets-and-Prextex-Slime-Eggs-Recalled-Due-to-Violations-of-Federal-Phthalates-and-Lead-Content-Bans-Imported-by-Perch-Amusty-and-Bingo-Deals-Recall-Alert

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee passes recommendations on improving lead-safe rental housing

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee passes recommendations on improving lead-safe rental housing

Delaware Public Media | By Sarah Petrowich
Published December 13, 2023 at 8:07 PM EST

The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Advisory Committee was asked to deliver a Lead-Safe Rental Housing Plan to the Governor and General Assembly by January 1st.

Senate Bill 9, passed this year, tasked the committee with creating recommendations on how to ensure all rental properties built before January 1, 1978 are screened for lead based paint hazards.

These screenings must take place before the rental is made available to a new tenant, and at least once before January 1, 2026.

The bill requires all lead based paint hazards to be abated or remediated promptly on discovery.

The committee approved 11 recommendations for implementing the plan, including amending the Residential Landlord-Tenant Code to create penalties for landlords that fail to provide a Lead-Safe or Lead-Free certification.

“This secondary prevention of using children to be the trip wire as to whether a house is dangerous is just the wrong approach," Committee Vice Chair Bill Bowser said, referring to Delaware’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act, requiring all children be screened for lead at 12 months of age and again at 24 months of age.

“With respect to ‘it’s not our fault, we didn’t paint it in there,’ this has been a banned substance, banned poison, for 45 years. It’s time to get it done and time to get it cleaned up," he added, pushing back on concerns that some penalties are too tough on landlords.

The recommendations include a civil penalty of $500/day, as well as suspension of access to summary possession for rental units that fail to file a Lead-Safe or Lead-Free Certification.

The recommendations and proposed legislation now head to the governor and General Assembly for consideration.

https://www.delawarepublic.org/politics-government/2023-12-13/childhood-lead-poisoning-prevention-advisory-committee-passes-recommendations-on-improving-lead-safe-rental-housing

Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels: Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (November 2023) Do not eat, sell, or serve

Investigation of Elevated Lead Levels: Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (November 2023) Do not eat, sell, or serve multiple brands of recalled apple cinnamon fruit pouches. FDA’s investigation is ongoing.

Product

Recalled cinnamon apple puree and applesauce products. Information on lot codes and UPCs can be found in the firm's recall announcement.

• Recalled WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches
• Recalled Schnucks-brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety pack
• Recalled Weis-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches

Symptoms of Lead Toxicity 

Lead is toxic to humans and can affect people of any age or health status. Protecting children from exposure to lead is particularly important because they are more susceptible to lead toxicity. Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms. Parents and caretakers should consult a healthcare provider if you suspect a child may have been exposed to lead. Short term exposure to lead could result in the following symptoms: headache; abdominal pain/colic; vomiting; anemia. Longer term exposure could result in the following additional symptoms: irritability; lethargy; fatigue; muscle aches or muscle prickling/burning; constipation; difficulty concentrating/muscular weakness; tremor; weight loss.

Stores Affected

• WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches are sold nationally and are available through multiple retailers including Amazon, Dollar Tree, and other online outlets.
• Schnucks-brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety pack are sold at Schnucks and Eatwell Markets grocery stores.
• Weis-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches are sold at Weis grocery stores.

Status

Ongoing; updates to this advisory will be provided as they become available.

Recommendation

• Consumers should not eat, sell, or serve recalled WanaBana, Schnucks, or Weis-brand apple cinnamon pouches and should discard them.  
• These products have a long shelf life. Consumers should check their homes and discard these products. 
• To properly discard the product, consumers and retailers should carefully open the pouch and empty the content into a trash can before discarding the packaging to prevent others from salvaging recalled product from the trash. Clean up any spills after discarding the product then wash your hands.
• Most children have no obvious immediate symptoms of lead exposure. If there’s suspicion that a child may have been exposed to lead, parents should talk to their child’s healthcare provider about getting a blood test. 
• Contact your healthcare provider if you think you may have symptoms of lead toxicity after eating recalled fruit pouches.

https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-elevated-lead-levels-cinnamon-applesauce-pouches-november-2023

Stainless Steel Children’s Cups Recalled Due to Violation of Federal Lead Content Ban; Sold Exclusively at Amazon.com by LAOION (Recall Alert)

Name of Product:

LAOION Children’s Cups

Hazard:

The bottom exterior of the stainless-steel cups contains an accessible solder bead with levels of lead that exceed the federal lead content ban. Lead is toxic if ingested by young children and can cause adverse health effects. In addition, the lid can crack and break during use producing sharp edges and small parts, posing choking and laceration hazards to children.

Remedy:

Refund

Recall Date:

November 16, 2023

Units:

About 200

https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2024/Stainless-Steel-Childrens-Cups-Recalled-Due-to-Violation-of-Federal-Lead-Content-Ban-Sold-Exclusively-at-Amazon-com-by-LAOION-Recall-Alert