FDA Urging Cinnamon Recall for Lead Contamination
Ground cinnamon
As of March 2024, the Food and Drug Administration is urging several manufacturers to issue voluntary recalls after different brands of ground cinnamon were found to contain elevated levels of lead.
The call to recall the cinnamon products comes after more than 460 children fell ill from apple cinnamon puree and applesauce pouches containing cinnamon with dangerous levels of lead late last year.
So, which brands are impacted? The ground cinnamon brands found to contain elevated levels of lead include El Chilar, sold at La Joya Morelense in Baltimore; La Fiesta, sold at La Superior SuperMercados; Marcum, sold at Save A Lot; MK, sold at SF Supermarkets; Supreme Tradition, sold at Family Dollar and Dollar Tree; and Swad, sold at Patel Brothers markets.
The El Chilar cinnamon with elevated lead content has lot no. F275EX1026 and D300EX1024.
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Lead-contaminated La Fiesta cinnamon has lot number 25033.
FDA
The impacted Marcum cinnamon has expiration dates and lot nos. 10/16/25 10DB and 04/06/25 0400B1.
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Supreme Tradition expiration dates and lot codes are 09/29/25 09E8, 04/17/25 04E11, 12/19/25 12C2, 04/12/25 04ECB12, 08/24/25 08A_ _, 04/21/25 04E5, 04/21/25 04E5 and 2025-09-22 09E20.
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FDA
Swad cinnamon included in the FDA's list has lot no. KX21223.
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MK products don't have lot codes or dates listed.
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The FDA advises consumers with the affected products to dispose of them and discontinue their use immediately.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lead exposure in children can cause nervous system and brain damage, stunted growth, developmental delays, hearing and speech problems, behavioral problems and learning disabilities. Exposure to large quantities of lead can cause acute lead poisoning, with symptoms that can include abdominal pain, anemia, coma, constipation, encephalopathy, fatigue, nausea and seizures.
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The products impacted by the FDA's March 2024 urged recall each contains 2.03 to 3.4 parts per million (ppm) of lead. The October 2023 recalled apple puree and applesauce products, from WanaBana, Schnucks and Weis brands, contained 2,270 ppm to 5,110 ppm of lead in the cinnamon.
According to the FDA, the contaminated cinnamon was manufactured in Ecuador, likely by corporations Negasmart and Carlos Aguilera (a processor of cinnamon sticks).
The lead content is suspected to be from the use of lead chromate to brighten spices' colors and increase their weight, which the FDA says was likely motivated merely by higher profits.
The FDA urges consumers to report complaints and adverse events linked to the listed products by calling an FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator, filling out an electronic Voluntary MedWatch form online or mail a paper Voluntary MedWatch form to the FDA. If you think you or your children have been exposed to lead, talk to your physician immediately to schedule a blood lead test.
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