FDA expands recall on cinnamon for elevated levels of lead

(CNN) – The Food and Drug Administration has expanded its investigation into tainted cinnamon products.

Agency experts now say lead contamination extends beyond the cinnamon applesauce pouches that were recalled in October.

The FDA announced Wednesday its expanded testing has identified several brands of ground cinnamon containing elevated levels of lead.

It now recommends recalls of ground cinnamon from six distributors.

Those include the following brands: La Fiesta, Marcum, MTCI, Swad, Supreme Tradition and El Chillar.

The FDA sent letters to all U.S. cinnamon makers, processors and distributors to remind them of obligations to prevent contamination.

Suspected lead poisoning in applesauce pouches is tied to more than 460 confirmed and suspected cases.

The FDA says the pouches from three brands were flavored with cinnamon imported from Ecuador.

Those cases, many of them in children, are still under investigation.