ASTA Statement on FDA Cinnamon Recall
The following statement is attributable to Laura Shumow, executive director of the American Spice Trade Association (ASTA):
“The health, safety, and well-being of consumers is paramount, and ASTA takes the concerns raised by the FDA with the utmost seriousness. ASTA members applaud the FDA for steps it has taken in recent months to increase the testing and screening of cinnamon. And while we fully support the agency’s decision to remove from discount store shelves products that exceed accepted international regulatory standards and ASTA’s own guidance levels for lead in cinnamon, these recalls further highlight the need for FDA to establish action levels to facilitate industry compliance.
“ASTA has been actively engaged in discussions with the FDA over many months to thoroughly understand the nature and scope of this and previous recalls, ensuring industry cooperation. We value our collaborative working relationship with the FDA and our shared goal of taking necessary measures to safeguard public health. We look forward to continuing to be a resource for the FDA in promoting good manufacturing practices and supporting the agency’s Closer to Zero initiative.
“We understand and appreciate the concerns consumers may have about the safety of spices, including cinnamon given recent product recalls. That’s why ASTA members are fully committed to taking accountable, decisive, and transparent action to maintain, protect, and uphold the highest standards of spice quality and safety.”
Media Contact:
Laura Shumow, Executive Director, ASTA
[email protected]
Related Resources
2022 Technical Presentation: FDA Update on Closer to Zero
Presented by Conrad Choiniere with FDA at the ASTA 2022 Regulatory Workshop on September 12, 2022, in this session, Dr. Choiniere will share updates on the agency’s initiative, “Closer to Zero”, a science-based and iterative approach for reducing early childhood exposure to toxic heavy metal compounds from foods commonly consumed by babies and young children.
Letter to the Editor on Proposed Heavy Metal Limits for Spices in New York
This is ASTA's response to New York State's new regulatory policies for heavy metals in spices published in the Journal of Regulatory Science. The publication points out critical issues in New York State's exposure assessment and key concerns regarding achievability, and unintended consequences from the implementation of the proposed recall action levels.
