FDA Warns Additional Ground Cinnamon Products Contain High Lead Levels

Because of the long shelf life for ground cinnamon, the FDA advises consumers to check for any potentially toxic versions of the spice in their home and throw it out immediately.

Federal regulators have identified several more brands of ground cinnamon that may be contaminated with high levels of lead, which could cause serious and life-altering injuries, especially for developing children.

Over the past year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has identified a number of problems with ground cinnamon containing dangerous levels of lead, which is a toxic metal that is known to cause a wide range of health issues, including damage to the brain and nervous system, reproductive health and other side effects.

In an FDA safety alert issued on November 1, the agency indicates that testing has confirmed ground cinnamon sold under the Super Brand and Asli labels should be added to the long list of cinnamon products that may contain toxic levels of lead, urging families to check their pantry and immediately throw them away.

Ground Cinnamon Lead Contamination Concerns

The agency first became aware of widespread lead contamination in cinnamon products following the WanaBana fruit pouch recall issued at the end of 2023. The FDA announced the recall after testing identified high lead concentrations in several batches of the cinnamon-flavored applesauce product, which was widely marketed for use by children.

More than 500 cases of lead poisoning were linked to the contaminated apple sauce, and a federal investigation determined the lead entered the products from a ground cinnamon supplier, who intentionally added excessive amounts of lead to the spice to increase their profits.

In July 2024, the FDA issued a lead poisoning alert for El Servidor ground cinnamon products, which were sold throughout the state of New York. The agency then issued a larger lead contamination alert for six other brands of cinnamon products, which were found to contain dangerous levels of lead.

Following the recalls, an investigation conducted by Consumer Reports found that one-third of all cinnamon products they sampled from stores across the northeastern U.S. were tainted with toxic levels of lead, which could pose health risks for children and other consumers.

Lead is a heavy metal that is known to be toxic to the human body. Symptoms of lead exposure may include vomiting, fatigue, seizures, tremors, weight loss and other potential side effects. However, for children, lead exposure can change the structural integrity of the brain, leading to permanent cognitive problems, lower IQ scores, behavioral problems and other issues.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has warned there is no safe level of lead exposure for children, and exposure even at low levels can lead to serious injuries, including delayed growth, coma, convulsions and death.

Super Brand and Asli Ground Cinnamon Warning

The new FDA alert indicates that Super Brand and Asli brand ground cinnamon products have also been found to contain high levels of toxic lead, after samples collected by the Arkansas Department of Health confirmed the presence of the toxic metal.

The FDA warns that these products may be unsafe for consumer use and the agency has recommended that the company issue a voluntary recall. However, in the meantime, the agency is urging consumers to immediately stop using the affected cinnamon and throw away any of the unused products.

Cinnamon has a long shelf life, so consumers should check their homes for the product and make sure that it is not used. The FDA indicates that it is continuing to analyze various different ground cinnamon products and review samples for elevated levels of lead.

If someone may have been exposed to the tainted cinnamon, the FDA indicates that they should immediately contact a doctor.