FDA Warns That Some Cinnamon Brands Contain Lead

What is going on with all the recalls lately?  Not only the food we as humans eat, but even my dog food had a recall a few months ago. I am on the fence about how the number of recalls of certain food items keeps rising. On one hand, it could mean these recalls are an indicator that the FDA is actually monitoring the quality and safety of food more than ever.  On the other hand, I wonder if these recalls are due to increased automation used in production facilities for food manufacturing.  When it comes to machinery, there is always a chance of these machines breaking down. Or maybe it is due to cost-cutting on the supplier side.

Have you heard about the latest FDA advisory regarding cinnamon products? The FDA  flagged six different brands of ground cinnamon that they suggest you throw out if you have them in your spice rack.  The warning is due to these cinnamon products have been found to contain lead.  Lead is definitely not something you want in your spices!  I plant a lot of my own vegetables that my family consumes so I realize that just about everything grown in natural soil will contain traces of arsenic and lead because that' what it is.

It's kind of scary when you think about it,  lead poisoning is a serious issue.  According to CNN, the FDA stated that there have been more than 460 confirmed and suspected cases of lead poisonings that have been tied to the applesauce pouches that were recently recalled. That's a lot of poisonings!  The affected brands include La Fiesta, Marcum, MTCI, Swad, Supreme Tradition, and El Chicken. You might recognize some of these brands if you shop at places like Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, or certain ethnic supermarkets like Patel Brothers or SF Supermarket.

So, if you have any of these cinnamon products at home, it's probably best to get rid of them. After all, your health is definitely worth it.

Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated with a blend of family, food, and traditions, some of which are deeply rooted in history. But, if you think this holiday is all about the turkey and pumpkin pie, you're in for a surprise. There are also some more unique and unexpected customs that have found their way into the Thanksgiving celebration.

Over time, families and close-knit groups of friends often create their unique Thanksgiving customs, which they observe annually. Many families engage in acts of giving back by volunteering at local food banks or shelters, to share their good fortune with those in need. Some base their day around the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, a tradition since 1924. Then, there's the age-old custom of partaking in or watching a friendly game of touch football with friends and family. It has also become synonymous with Thanksgiving, creating opportunities for connection and fun.

Despite the presence of commonly practiced annual traditions, there are some customs that may strike certain people as unusual. For instance, consider the annual Presidential Turkey Pardon, officially known as the "National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation."  On Thanksgiving Day, the President extends clemency to a specially selected turkey, sparing it from becoming the centerpiece of a meal and ensuring that it lives out its days freely on a farm.

According to the National Turkey Federation, this tradition started in 1947 when President Harry Truman received a live turkey from them. In 1963, President Kennedy returned the gift from the National Turkey Federation to its farm of origin, according to the White House website. Sometime during the Nixon administration, the President began sending the turkey to a petting farm near Washington after the receiving ceremony and photos, although no formal pardon was given. President George H.W. Bush offered the first actual turkey pardon. On November 14, 1989, he declared that year's turkey had "been granted a presidential pardon as of right now."

But this is just the start when it comes to unusual Thanksgiving customs. Check out the following list for even more unique and eccentric traditions associated with the Thanksgiving holiday.

Frozen turkey bowling is as straightforward as it sounds: Instead of using conventional bowling balls and pins, participants roll frozen turkeys toward rows of soda bottles. According to a report by People magazine in 1988, it was Derrick Johnson, a grocery clerk at a Lucky's grocery store in Newport Beach, who is credited with the inception of turkey bowling. Johnson recalled witnessing a store manager accidentally knocking down a soda bottle while sliding a turkey across the floor, sparking the idea. Additionally, he took on the role of commissioner for the Poultry Bowlers Association and initiated the sport's organization.

Surprisingly, there are people who opt for unconventional fillings when preparing their turkey, such as cereal. A quick online search reveals a plethora of recipes featuring non-traditional stuffing. These range from crackers and waffles to pretzels, grapes, and nuts.

Some people gather to challenge the limits of distance and altitude by launching frozen turkeys. In fact, a group of college students in Indiana took this to the next level in the early 2000s. They came up with the plan of dressing a frozen turkey in a onesie, securing it to a chain, saturating it with lighter fluid, igniting it, and then flinging it across a football field.

Thanksgiving feasts are often so filling that many families take a post-dinner stroll to make room for dessert. It's like taking the "I work out so I can eat" mantra to a whole new level. Of course, packing up leftovers for later is an option. But the post-feast walk is a fun tradition for those who can't resist the temptation of that pumpkin pie.

A family drew inspiration from the typical Thanksgiving customs and introduced their own unique tradition. As an X user shared, their kid initiated a comical Thanksgiving tradition by "roasting" everyone at the table. The idea was that since they roast a turkey, why not extend the roasting to the family members too. Seriously, what could possibly go wrong?