Consumer columnist and West Hartford resident Harlan Levy has more than 20 years of experience writing stories about everyday experiences that anyone could encounter. 

This is a “mini boucle pumpkin.” I never heard of “boucle,” which, I learned, is a type of fabric with a “mini texture” that’s woven with a cotton blend boucle yarn. Now you know this useless piece of information — in case some oddball wonders what my pumpkin is made of. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

By Harlan Levy

The last time I visited my local Walgreens on Sunday to get the latest flu and COVID shots I also picked up a stuffed “mini boucle” pumpkin (whatever the hell that is) from a selection of new Halloween stuff, presaging my favorite non-religious holiday and all that comes with the highly anticipated annual celebration we’ve hosted at our house for more than two decades.

That involves creation of special treats and hors d’oeuvres, many with ground cinnamon, which can be used in baked goods, pumpkin pies, crumbles, cobblers, cinnamon and ginger spiced lattes, fruit compotes, and mulled wine.

But wait … on Aug. 30 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the following health alert:

“Through product testing by state programs and confirmed by the FDA, the FDA has determined that at least 10 ground cinnamon products contain elevated levels of lead and that exposure to these products may be unsafe.”

The FDA wants consumers to throw away, not to use, and not to buy these ground cinnamon products, which have a long shelf life.

The FDA has found that SWAD ground cinnamon – sold in Connecticut – has elevated lead levels and must be discarded. Image courtesy of Harlan Levy

Three were or are being sold in Connecticut:

• SWAD Cinnamon powder. Distributor: Raja Foods. Best by 10/2026.
• Marcum Supreme Tradition. Distributor: Greenbrier International. Best by 10/2025.
• Compania Indillor Orientale. Distributor: Mamtakim.

The others are: Asli Cinnamon Powder, El Chilar Ground Cinnamon, Colonna Brothers’ Marcum & Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon, ALB Flavor Ground Cinnamon, Shahzada Cinnamon Powder, American Spices’ Spice Class Ground Cinnamon, La Frontera Imports.

Consuming these products could contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood. “Long-term exposure (months to years) to elevated levels of lead in the diet could contribute to adverse health effects, particularly for those who may already have elevated blood lead levels from other exposures to lead,” the FDA said, “depending on the level of lead in the food; age of the consumer; length, amount, and frequency of exposure to lead in the food; and other exposures to different sources of lead. Babies and toddlers are particularly vulnerable, because of their smaller body sizes and rapid metabolism and growth.  High levels of exposure to lead in utero, infancy, and early childhood can lead to neurological effects such as learning disabilities, behavior difficulties, and lowered IQ.”

Flu vaccine spray

You don’t have to get a flu shot if you’re wary of vaccinations. That’s because on Sept. 20 the FDA approved FluMist – which is sprayed into the nose – for self- or caregiver-administration. FluMist is approved for the prevention of influenza disease caused by influenza virus subtypes A and B in individuals 2 through 49 years of age.

Now you know.

NOTE: We just discovered a little bakery at 340 Prospect Ave., where we’ve gotten the best flan I’ve ever eaten … Panaderia Pan Del Cielo, offering two types of flan … cheese (queso) and vanilla, full pies for $10.50, both delicious [See photo]. I preferred the queso — a little grittier than the vanilla.

We just discovered this little bakery at 340 Prospect Ave., where we’ve gotten the best flan I’ve ever eaten … Panaderia Pan Del Cielo, here with the two types of flan … cheese (queso) – in small container – and vanilla, full pies for $10.50, both delicious. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

We just discovered this little bakery at 340 Prospect Ave., where we’ve gotten the best flan I’ve ever eaten … Panaderia Pan Del Cielo, here with the two types of flan … cheese (queso) – in small container – and vanilla, full pies for $10.50, both delicious. Photo credit: Harlan Levy

NOTE: If you have a consumer problem, contact me at [email protected] (“Consumer” in subject line), and, with the power of the press, maybe I can help.

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