The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its health alert to include additional cinnamon products after discovering higher-than-acceptable lead levels in five new brands. The affected brands now include Compania Indillor Orientale, ALB Flavor, Shahzada, Spice Class, and La Frontera. In addition, updated batches of brands previously mentioned in the March 2024 alert—such as El Chilar, Marcum, SWAD, and Supreme Tradition—are also included in the expanded alert.
The contaminated cinnamon was distributed through major retailers, including Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, and Save A Lot. This follows the October 2023 recall of cinnamon apple puree and applesauce, which was linked to 468 cases of lead and chromium poisoning across 44 states.
The initial recall prompted the FDA to conduct further testing on ground cinnamon products from discount stores. The results revealed elevated lead levels ranging from 2.03 to 3.4 parts per million (ppm) in products from six different distributors.
The FDA has issued a voluntary recall of these products and has notified all U.S. cinnamon manufacturers, processors, distributors, and facility operators to reinforce measures to prevent contamination.
Lead contamination in cinnamon can originate from various stages of the supply chain, including growth, harvesting, and processing. While the detected levels of lead in these products are significantly lower than those found in the cinnamon implicated in the apple products recall (which ranged from 2,270 ppm to 5,110 ppm), any presence of lead is deemed unsafe, particularly for children.
The FDA advises consumers to discontinue use of the affected cinnamon products and check their pantries for any of the listed brands. Since lead cannot be detected by smell or taste, those concerned about exposure should consult with a healthcare provider. Long-term lead exposure can cause serious health issues, including learning disabilities and behavioral problems in children. The recall is specific to the products identified and does not apply to all cinnamon.
