Multiple Ground Cinnamon Brands Pulled from Store Shelves Due to Elevated Lead Levels

FDA Issues Urgent Cinnamon Recall Over Lead Contamination Risks

With the holidays approaching, kitchens across the country are stocking up on baking staples—and cinnamon is near the top of the list. But a new safety alert from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has triggered a nationwide recall of more than 10 ground cinnamon brands due to dangerously high lead levels. These spices, sold at discount retailers, supermarkets, and online, may pose long-term health risks, especially for children and pregnant women.

This warning builds on previous recalls and comes at a time when holiday cooking increases demand for cinnamon-based treats. Consumers are being urged to check their cabinets, dispose of the recalled products, and consider blood testing if exposure is suspected. The presence of lead in cinnamon is not natural and points to a larger failure in food safety monitoring, particularly when it comes to imported spices.

What the FDA Found: Testing Reveals Elevated Lead Levels in Cinnamon

FDA inspections and retail sample testing revealed ground cinnamon with lead levels ranging from 2.03 to 7.68 parts per million (ppm). These amounts far exceed what is considered safe for prolonged consumption. Lead is not a naturally occurring compound in cinnamon, which means the contamination likely occurred during processing, packaging, or due to environmental exposure in soil or water.

The recall covers a variety of products from numerous sources, including both private-label brands and international suppliers. According to the FDA, affected brands include:

• Jiva Organics
• Super Brand
• Asli Fine Foods
• El Chilar
• Marcum & Supreme Tradition
• SWAD
• Shahzada
• La Frontera
• Spice Class
• ALB Flavor
• Compania Indillor Orientale

Many of these products were sold through Dollar Tree, Save-A-Lot, local groceries, and online retailers. The contamination spans multiple lot codes and expiration dates, increasing the risk that unsafe cinnamon is still sitting in consumers’ homes.

Why Lead Exposure from Cinnamon is a Major Health Concern

Even small amounts of lead, consumed regularly over time, can result in dangerous health consequences. Children are especially vulnerable because their bodies absorb lead more efficiently and their developing brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to its effects.

Potential effects of lead exposure include:

• Neurological damage
• Developmental delays
• Behavioral issues
• Lowered IQ
• Kidney and liver damage
• High blood pressure and anemia in adults

Pregnant women exposed to lead face the risk of passing the toxin to their unborn child. Exposure during pregnancy can result in preterm birth, low birth weight, and irreversible developmental issues.

The FDA’s statement emphasized that long-term exposure to lead-contaminated food can lead to cumulative health effects, even when symptoms are not immediate.

Who Is at Risk? Understanding Vulnerable Populations

While no level of lead is considered completely safe, certain populations are at far greater risk:

• Children under six are most susceptible due to rapid brain development.
• Pregnant individuals face a high risk of fetal complications from lead transfer through the placenta.
• Older adults and those with chronic conditions may experience increased toxicity due to slower lead excretion.
• Frequent consumers of cinnamon (such as those using it daily for health, tea, or cooking) may be at risk of accumulating lead exposure over time.

Anyone who has used these products—especially regularly or in significant quantities—should speak with their healthcare provider about blood testing and exposure management.

How Lead Gets Into Food Like Cinnamon

According to the FDA, lead contamination in cinnamon is not a natural occurrence. Instead, it is introduced through several potential pathways:

• Soil contamination from industrial pollutants or old pesticides
• Irrigation water containing heavy metals
• Processing equipment that is not lead-safe
• Intentional or accidental adulteration during the supply chain, particularly with imported spices

This event follows a similar incident earlier in 2024 involving cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches that were also linked to elevated lead levels. These repeated failures suggest deeper regulatory and oversight problems within the global spice trade.

FDA’s Ongoing Monitoring and Enforcement Measures

The agency has vowed to continue monitoring imported cinnamon and taking enforcement action when appropriate. This includes:

• Adding suppliers to import alerts
• Increasing testing at ports of entry
• Investigating supply chains for origin tracking
• Working with manufacturers to improve sourcing standards

Consumers can view the full recall list, including product images and lot numbers, on the FDA website. The agency also recommends that families immediately discard any affected cinnamon and clean kitchen surfaces or containers that came in contact with the spice.

What to Do If You or a Loved One May Have Been Exposed

If you have recently used any of the recalled products or served them to children, it is important to act quickly. Blood testing can detect elevated lead levels before symptoms appear. Healthcare providers may initiate a treatment plan depending on test results, especially if exposure has been ongoing.

Symptoms of lead exposure can vary. In children, signs may include:

• Fatigue
• Learning difficulties
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Developmental delays

Adults may notice:

• Headaches
• Abdominal pain
• Memory issues
• Joint pain
• Reproductive problems

Prompt medical attention is key, especially when exposure is identified early.

Legal Rights and Compensation for Lead Contamination Victims

Individuals who consumed lead-contaminated cinnamon may be eligible to file legal claims if they suffered harm. These cases may fall under:

• Product liability: If the manufacturer failed to ensure safety or misrepresented the product.
• Negligence: If proper safety testing was ignored or corners were cut in the supply chain.
• Failure to warn: If retailers or suppliers did not provide appropriate warnings or recall information.

Lawsuits may seek compensation for:

• Medical bills and testing costs
• Long-term care expenses
• Lost income or earning potential
• Pain and emotional suffering
• Punitive damages in extreme cases
• Wrongful death in the most tragic circumstances

Food contamination claims often require medical records, purchase history, and toxicology results to support a case. An experienced legal team can guide victims through these requirements and fight for fair compensation.

Cinnamon Lead Contamination Lawsuit FAQs

1. What brands of cinnamon are being recalled due to lead contamination?  Brands include Jiva Organic, Super Brand, Asli, El Chilar, Marcum, SWAD, Shahzada, La Frontera, Spice Class, ALB Flavor, and others. These products were sold at Save-A-Lot, Dollar Tree, Patel Brothers, and local stores in multiple states.
2. Why is lead found in cinnamon?  Lead contamination occurs through environmental exposure (soil, water), processing errors, or unsanitary manufacturing conditions. It is not naturally present in cinnamon, meaning its presence indicates a serious supply chain failure.
3. What health effects can lead exposure from cinnamon cause?  Lead poisoning can result in developmental delays, learning disabilities, lower IQ, reproductive issues, kidney problems, and, in severe cases, death. Children and pregnant people are especially at risk.
4. What should I do if I bought recalled cinnamon?  Stop using the product immediately. Throw it away in a sealed bag or return it. Clean any surfaces the product touched and speak to your doctor if you or your child consumed it.
5. Can I sue if my child was harmed by contaminated cinnamon?  Yes. You may be able to file a product liability lawsuit if your child suffered lead poisoning from consuming recalled cinnamon. Compensation can include medical bills, pain and suffering, and other damages.
6. How do I prove that cinnamon caused lead poisoning? Documentation may include purchase receipts, medical test results showing elevated blood lead levels, and confirmation that the product lot number matches the recall list. A law firm can assist in gathering this evidence.
7. Is a lawsuit worth pursuing if I have no symptoms?  If you or a loved one has tested positive for lead—even without symptoms—you may still be eligible for legal compensation, especially if ongoing monitoring or treatment is required.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For A Free Case Review

If you or your child may have been exposed to lead-contaminated cinnamon, Parker Waichman LLP is here to help. As a national personal injury law firm, we represent individuals and families harmed by unsafe food and product recalls. Our legal team is currently investigating claims involving the FDA’s nationwide cinnamon recall.

Call 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) for a free consultation. We will review your situation, explain your legal rights, and pursue the compensation you deserve. There are no legal fees unless we win your case. Regardless of your location or where your injury occurred, our nationwide product injury law firm is ready to assist you.