Updated on 7/31/24
FDA has updated the page listing different cinnamon products with lead that have been removed from commerce. Overall, these products had levels ranging from 2 to 7ppm.
- American Spices, LLC. of Ozone Park, NY is recalling Spice Class brand Ground Cinnamon
- Advance Food International, Inc. of Maspeth, NY is recalling Shahzada brand Cinnamon Powder in 7oz packing
- Colonna Brothers of North Bergen, NJ is voluntarily recalling its 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon & 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon
Both recalls are the result of an analysis conducted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSAGM) that revealed the product contained elevated levels of lead. The companies have ceased the production and distribution of the product as the FDA and the companies continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.
https://www.fda.gov/food/alerts-advisories-safety-information/more-ground-cinnamon-products-added-fda-public-health-alert-due-presence-elevated-levels-lead
More Ground Cinnamon Products Added to FDA Public Health Alert Due to Presence of Elevated Levels of Lead
July 30, 2024
Product
Through product testing by state programs and confirmed by the FDA, the FDA has determined that the ground cinnamon products listed in the table below contain elevated levels of lead and that exposure to these products may be unsafe. The FDA is advising consumers to throw away and not to buy these ground cinnamon products.
The FDA has recommended that the firms voluntarily recall these products. The FDA will update this notice with the communications from firms that voluntarily agree to recall as we receive them. Please see our previous alerts on ground cinnamon products, March 6, 2024 alert, and July 25, 2024 alert, for a list of additional ground cinnamon products previously recommended for recall.
The FDA is continuing to analyze cinnamon and review sample results received from state partners who have been continuously sampling ground cinnamon at retail for elevated levels of lead. This public health alert will be updated as necessary if the FDA finds that additional products contain elevated levels of lead and that exposure to these products may be unsafe.
Summary of Problem and Scope
The FDA is taking the additional step in issuing a third public health alert this year for ground cinnamon to ensure the safety of ground cinnamon used in foods that are frequently consumed by babies and young children. In this third alert, the FDA is recommending recalls of nine brands of ground cinnamon products with elevated lead levels ranging from 2.03 to 7.01 parts per million (ppm) (see table above for a full list of lead levels in these products). These levels are significantly lower than the levels of lead associated with the WanaBana cinnamon apple puree and applesauce products recalled in the fall of 2023, which had between 2,270 ppm to 5,110 ppm lead in the cinnamon.
During the last year, prior to the recall of WanaBana apple puree and applesauce products containing elevated levels of lead and chromium, the FDA asked states to prioritize testing of ground cinnamon and other spices. Following the FDA’s targeted assessment of ground cinnamon products for lead and chromium and the FDA public health alert issued earlier this year, several states provided the FDA with data for samples of ground cinnamon collected through the Laboratory Flexible Funding Model (LFFM). This is a cooperative agreement with states to help investigate, monitor and remove adulterated foods from commerce and aid regulatory programs. California, Maryland, Missouri, Connecticut, and Virginia collected ground cinnamon samples through the LFFM, in addition to samples collected outside the LFFM from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, all included in this public health alert. The FDA is continuing to review sample results received from state partners who have been continuously sampling ground cinnamon at retail for elevated levels of lead and will update this alert as necessary if the FDA finds that additional products contain elevated levels of lead and that exposure to these products may be unsafe.
FDA Actions
The FDA continues to work with states to test cinnamon sold directly to consumers at retail and to test cinnamon at import. The FDA will continue our activities at import to prevent unsafe cinnamon from reaching consumers in the U.S., including adding firms and products to import alert where appropriate.
For ingredient suppliers and final products that contain cinnamon, the FDA advises both domestic and foreign food suppliers to voluntarily test their products to ensure safety. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the manufacturers and the importers to ensure the safety of the products that enter into the U.S. market. In March 2024, the FDA sent a letter to cinnamon manufacturers, processors, distributors and facility operators in the U.S. reminding them of the requirement to implement controls to prevent contamination from potential chemical hazards in food, including in ground cinnamon products. The FDA will continue to work with firms to ensure they are meeting their responsibilities under provisions of the Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food rule.
The FDA is also continuing its Toxic Elements monitoring program, which includes testing of a variety of foods, including colored spices offered for sale in the U.S. In addition to sampling, as part of the FY2025 Legislative proposal, the FDA is seeking to amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) to expressly require industry to conduct testing of final products, including those marketed for consumption by infants and young children, for contaminants and maintain such records of these testing results for FDA inspection.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/advance-food-international-inc-recalls-shahzada-brand-cinnamon-powder-7oz-because-possible-health
Advance Food International Inc. Recalls Shahzada Brand Cinnamon Powder 7oz Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 29, 2024
FDA Publish Date: July 29, 2024
Product Type: Food & Beverages Spices, Flavors & Salts
Reason for Announcement: Potential Metal Contaminant - Lead
Company Name: Advance Food International, Inc.
Brand Name: Shahzada
Product Description: Cinnamon Powder
Company Announcement
Advance Food International, Inc. of Maspeth, NY is recalling Shahzada brand Cinnamon Powder in 7oz packing, because it has the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead. Short term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms. It is possible that increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign of lead exposure. Additional signs and symptoms of lead exposure are more likely with acute exposure to higher levels of lead or chronic exposure to lead. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount and duration of lead exposure and age/ body weight. If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period of time (e.g., weeks to months) permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur. This can result in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems. For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects.
Shahzada brand Cinnamon Powder was distributed to retailers located in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts between 01/01/2024 and 05/24/2024. This product was not sold online.
The product was packed in 7oz plastic bags of the Shahzada brand.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was the result of an analysis conducted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSAGM) that revealed the product contained elevated levels of lead. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as the FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.
Consumers who have purchased Shahzada brand Cinnamon Powder 7oz are urged not to consume the product and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-718-482-0123.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/american-spices-llc-recalls-spice-class-ground-cinnamon-because-possible-health-risk
American Spices LLC. Recalls Spice Class Ground Cinnamon Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 29, 2024
FDA Publish Date: July 29, 2024
Product Type: Food & Beverages Spices, Flavors & Salts
Reason for Announcement: Potential Metal Contaminant - Lead
Company Name: American Spices, LLC
Brand Name: Spice Class
Product Description: Ground Cinnamon
Company Announcement
American Spices, LLC. of Ozone Park, NY is recalling Spice Class brand Ground Cinnamon, because it has the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead. Short term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms. It is possible that increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign of lead exposure. Additional signs and symptoms of lead exposure are more likely with acute exposure to higher levels of lead or chronic exposure to lead. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount and duration of lead exposure and age/ body weight. If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period of time (e.g., weeks to months) permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur. This can result in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long- term health problems. For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects.
Spice Class brand Ground Cinnamon was distributed to retailers located in the New York City area between 12/01/2023 and 05/15/2024.
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 29, 2024
FDA Publish Date: July 29, 2024
Product Type: Food & Beverages Spices, Flavors & Salts
Reason for Announcement: Potential Metal Contaminant - Lead
Company Name: Advance Food International, Inc.
Brand Name: Shahzada
Product Description: Cinnamon Powder
Company Announcement
Advance Food International, Inc. of Maspeth, NY is recalling Shahzada brand Cinnamon Powder in 7oz packing, because it has the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead. Short term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms. It is possible that increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign of lead exposure. Additional signs and symptoms of lead exposure are more likely with acute exposure to higher levels of lead or chronic exposure to lead. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount and duration of lead exposure and age/ body weight. If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period of time (e.g., weeks to months) permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur. This can result in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems. For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects.
Shahzada brand Cinnamon Powder was distributed to retailers located in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts between 01/01/2024 and 05/24/2024. This product was not sold online.
The product was packed in 7oz plastic bags of the Shahzada brand.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was the result of an analysis conducted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSAGM) that revealed the product contained elevated levels of lead. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as the FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.
Consumers who have purchased Shahzada brand Cinnamon Powder 7oz are urged not to consume the product and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-718-482-0123.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/american-spices-llc-recalls-spice-class-ground-cinnamon-because-possible-health-risk
American Spices LLC. Recalls Spice Class Ground Cinnamon Because of Possible Health Risk
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 29, 2024
FDA Publish Date: July 29, 2024
Product Type: Food & Beverages Spices, Flavors & Salts
Reason for Announcement: Potential Metal Contaminant - Lead
Company Name: American Spices, LLC
Brand Name: Spice Class
Product Description: Ground Cinnamon
Company Announcement
American Spices, LLC. of Ozone Park, NY is recalling Spice Class brand Ground Cinnamon, because it has the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead. Short term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms. It is possible that increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign of lead exposure. Additional signs and symptoms of lead exposure are more likely with acute exposure to higher levels of lead or chronic exposure to lead. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount and duration of lead exposure and age/ body weight. If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period of time (e.g., weeks to months) permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur. This can result in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long- term health problems. For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects.
Spice Class brand Ground Cinnamon was distributed to retailers located in the New York City area between 12/01/2023 and 05/15/2024.
The product was not sold online.
The recalled product is SPICE CLASS BRAND Ground Cinnamon packed in 7oz and 11oz packing PET jars with expiration date: 12/2026.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was the result of an analysis conducted by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSAGM) that revealed the product contained elevated levels of lead. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.
Consumers should discontinue use of the product immediately and are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-917-532-6768.
The recalled product is SPICE CLASS BRAND Ground Cinnamon packed in 7oz and 11oz packing PET jars with expiration date: 12/2026.
No illnesses have been reported to date.
The recall was the result of an analysis conducted by New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSAGM) that revealed the product contained elevated levels of lead. The company has ceased the production and distribution of the product as FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.
Consumers should discontinue use of the product immediately and are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-917-532-6768.
https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/colonna-brothers-inc-issues-updated-voluntary-recall-15oz-marcum-ground-cinnamon-225oz-supreme
Colonna Brothers, Inc. Issues an Updated Voluntary Recall for “1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon & 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon” Because of Possible Health Risk Due to Elevated Lead Levels
Summary
Company Announcement Date: July 30, 2024
FDA Publish Date: July 31, 2024
Product Type: Food & Beverages Spices, Flavors & Salts
Reason for Announcement: Potential Metal Contaminant - Lead
Company Name: Colonna Brothers Inc.
Brand Name: Marcum & Supreme Tradition
Product Description: Ground cinnamon
Company Announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 30, 2024 - Colonna Brothers of North Bergen, NJ is voluntarily recalling its 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon & 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon because of a possible health risk due to elevated lead levels. Short term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms. It is possible that increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign of lead exposure. Additional signs and symptoms of lead exposure are more likely with acute exposure to higher levels of lead or chronic exposure to lead. The effects depend upon the amount and duration of lead exposure and age/ body weight. If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period of time (e.g., weeks to months) permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur. This can result in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems. For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects.
The Cinnamon was distributed nationwide through retail stores and mail order. The products come in a clear plastic jar labeled with either “Marcum Cinnamon Ground 1.5oz” or “Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon 2.25oz”. The following lot codes have been added to the recall list as of 7-29-24 (found on the jar above the label - below the cap):
1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon Best By 12/05/25 12 D8
1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon Best By 12/05/25 12 D11
2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon 10/06/25 10A11
No illnesses have been confirmed to date in connection with these products.
The voluntary recall was recommended by the FDA following its targeted sampling of multiple different discount cinnamon brands from multiple different retail locations. Colonna Brothers is participating in this recall voluntarily as requested by the FDA. Colonna Brothers has not violated any Federal laws, regulations, and/or guidelines regarding levels of lead in cinnamon/spice, nor any protocols requiring testing for heavy metals in cinnamon/spice.
Consumers who have purchased the Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon or Marcum Ground Cinnamon, with the lot codes listed above, can discard it or return it to the store for a full refund. Anyone concerned they may have been exposed to lead, should contact their healthcare provider to report their symptoms. Consumers with questions may contact us at 201-864-1115 between the hours of 9-5 EST.
Below are previously recalled codes that we voluntarily recalled on March 6th, 2024. These codes have already been removed from shelves at all stores.
1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon Best By:10/16/25 10DB
1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon Best By: 04/06/25 0400B1
2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon 09/29/25 09E8
2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon 04/17/25 04E11
2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon 12/19/25 12C2
2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon 04/12/25 04ECB12
2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon 08/24/25 08A
2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon 04/21/25 04E5
2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon 09/22/2025 09E20
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