FDA Issues Alert for 6 Brands of Cinnamon Due to High Lead Levels

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert for six brands of cinnamon, determining that the ground cinnamon products contain elevated levels of lead and that prolonged exposure to these products may be unsafe.

The FDA is advising consumers to throw away and not to buy these ground cinnamon products. For manufacturers and distributors, be aware if any brand listed below are in your facilities.

The FDA has recommended that the firms voluntarily recall these products, with the exception of the MTCI cinnamon. The FDA has not been able to reach MTCI to request a company recall. The FDA will update this notice with the communications from firms that voluntarily agree to recall as the agency receives them.

The agency did not state if this recall stems from the major October 2023 and beyond recalls of WanaBana, Weis, and Schnucks applesauce pouches.

Products Affected

(Chart and images by FDA)

The FDA has set limits for lead levels only in certain foods; spices aren't among them. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization, however, has a proposed international safety standard of 2.5 parts per million for spices that include cinnamon.

Cinnamon has a long shelf life so be sure to check your homes and manufacturing/distribution facilities and discard. To speak with the FDA if you have any of these products call an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator at your state's listed number.