Cinnamon Lovers Beware: Major Recall Hits U.S. Shelves
If you’ve sprinkled cinnamon on your morning oatmeal or baked it into your favorite treats lately, you might want to check your pantry—fast. The FDA has just expanded its recall of ground cinnamon products, now warning consumers to toss out 16 different brands after tests revealed elevated levels of lead, a toxic heavy metal that can pose serious health risks with prolonged exposure.
What Sparked the Recall?
The latest wave of recalls comes after the FDA’s ongoing investigation into lead contamination in cinnamon, which began in 2023 following a high-profile recall of cinnamon applesauce pouches. That incident prompted targeted testing of ground cinnamon products for both lead and chromium. Over the past year, state sampling programs and FDA labs have found lead concentrations in affected cinnamon brands ranging from 2.03 to 7.68 parts per million (ppm)—well above what’s considered safe for food products.
While no illnesses have been reported so far, the FDA is urging consumers to immediately throw away any cinnamon from the affected brands. Prolonged exposure to lead—even at low levels—can contribute to elevated blood lead, especially in children, and may cause developmental delays, neurological damage, and other serious health issues.
Which Brands Are Affected?
The recall now covers a wide range of ground cinnamon brands sold at retailers across the country. Here are some of the most notable names on the FDA’s list:
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HAETAE (HT) Brand Cinnamon Powder (4.60 ppm) – Recalled by Haitai, Inc. of Cerritos, CA
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Roshni Ground Cinnamon (2.268 ppm) – Distributed by Singh Trading Inc.
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Durra Ground Cinnamon (2.44 ppm) – Recalled by Eureka Inc. of Pomona, CA
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Wise Wife Ground Cinnamon (2.49 ppm)
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Jiva Organics Ground Cinnamon (2.29 ppm)
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Super Brand Cinnamon Powder (6.60–7.68 ppm)
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Asli Cinnamon Powder (2.32 ppm)
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El Chilar Ground Cinnamon (3.75–7.01 ppm)
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Marcum Ground Cinnamon (2.14–2.22 ppm)
The affected products have been distributed through grocery stores and supermarkets in states including California, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Ohio, Arkansas, Connecticut, Missouri, and Virginia.
Why Is Lead in Cinnamon Such a Big Deal?
Lead is a potent neurotoxin, and there is
no known safe level of exposure, according to the FDA. While the agency’s limit for bottled water is 5 ppm, some of the recalled cinnamon products exceed this threshold. Children are especially vulnerable, as lead exposure can cause irreversible developmental and cognitive harm.
Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports, notes that lead contamination in spices can occur due to environmental factors, poor manufacturing practices, or adulteration during processing.
What Should You Do Now?
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Check your pantry: Review the FDA’s list of recalled brands and UPC codes.
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Dispose of affected products: If you have any of the listed cinnamon brands, throw them away immediately.
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Monitor for updates: The FDA is continuing to test cinnamon products and may expand the recall further as new data emerges.
What’s Next for Cinnamon Safety?
The FDA is working with state agencies and importers to ramp up testing and prevent contaminated cinnamon from reaching consumers. The agency has also called on manufacturers to voluntarily test their products and maintain records of safety checks. As part of its Closer to Zero initiative, the FDA is pushing for stricter regulations to reduce childhood exposure to toxic elements in food.
For now, cinnamon fans should stay vigilant and keep an eye on FDA updates. If you’re unsure about a product, err on the side of caution and toss it.
Sources
1. Ground Cinnamon Products Added to FDA Public Health Alert Due ...
2. FDA: More Ground Cinnamon Recalled Over Lead Levels - Prevention
3. Is the cinnamon on your shelf safe? The FDA says these 16 brands ...
4. Ground Cinnamon Products Recalled for Elevated Lead Levels
5. Haitai, Inc. Recalls Haetae (HT) Brand Cinnamon Powder 8 oz of ...
6. Durra Ground Cinnamon 100 G Because of Possible Health Risk
