FDA Issues Public Health Alert Over Lead Found in 16 Popular Cinnamon Brands

The FDA has issued a warning about potentially dangerous levels of lead found in 16 popular ground cinnamon brands. The agency is working to ensure the public stays safe and disposes of impacted products immediately. 

Why the FDA Issues Warnings

The FDA steps in when a food product poses a threat to public health, such as contamination by heavy metals. In this case, they flagged cinnamon after finding unsafe levels of lead in samples collected from retail stores. The agency is issuing public health alerts and requesting voluntary recalls to remove unsafe products from the market.

Why Is Lead Dangerous?

Lead is a toxic metal that can harm nearly every system in the body if ingested chronically. It is especially harmful to children because their brains and nervous systems are more vulnerable. In adults, lead exposure is linked to kidney problems, high blood pressure, and cognitive impairment over time.

Symptoms of Lead Poisoning

Early symptoms of lead poisoning are often subtle or nonspecific, which makes it difficult to diagnose. Headaches, abdominal pain, irritability, and fatigue are common. In children, behavioral issues, learning delays, and developmental regression may occur. Because the symptoms can mimic many other conditions, lead poisoning often goes undetected without testing.

How Does Lead Get Into Food?

Lead can enter food through contaminated soil, irrigation water, or processing equipment. Spices like cinnamon are sometimes grown in regions with lead in the soil and may be unintentionally contaminated if suppliers aren’t careful. Contamination can also occur during grinding, storage, or packaging when facilities use lead-soldered machinery.

Is Any Amount of Lead Safe in Food?

In short, no. The consensus among public health experts is that there is no “safe” threshold for lead exposure, especially in children and pregnant people. Even low levels of lead can accumulate in the body over time. Because lead is stored in bones and organs, long-term exposure is the greatest risk to health.

How Was Lead Detected in the Cinnamon?

State labs collected cinnamon samples from discount retailers and grocery stores, which were then analyzed for heavy metals. When they confirmed the presence of elevated lead, the FDA expanded its alert and requested voluntary recalls from affected brands. The levels found ranged from around 2 to 7 parts per million (ppm) in many cases.

Which Brands Are Impacted?

The FDA alerts now include products such as Durra, Wise Wife, HAETAE, Roshni, Jiva Organic, Super Brand, Asli, Marcum, El Chilar, SWAD, Supreme Tradition, ALB Flavor, Shahzada, Spice Class, La Frontera, and Compania Indillor Orientale. Many of these are sold through discount outlets, grocers, and online retailers. 

How to Proceed If You Have an Impacted Product

If you own any cinnamon matching brand names or lot codes in the FDA alert, don’t use it. Either throw it away or return it to the store for a full refund. If you are concerned about possible exposure, consult a healthcare provider about blood lead testing.

How to Stay Updated

Keep checking the FDA’s official alerts web page, as the list of affected products may grow. Before baking or cooking, double-check the brand and lot code of your spices to confirm whether they are safe to use. The FDA’s warning over lead in 16 cinnamon brands is a stark reminder that even common pantry spices can pose hidden risks. Because lead is harmful even at low levels, especially in children and vulnerable populations, this issue demands vigilance. The agency is continually updating the list as new findings emerge.