The FDA orders cinnamon powder to be removed from the market due to lead levels in 14 states

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered the immediate recall of Lucky Foods brand cinnamon powder from shelves and stores in 14 states, after determining that the batch contained lead levels above those permitted for human consumption. The alert, published on December 9, 2025, on the agency's official website, affects both consumers and businesses specializing in food, with the aim of avoiding consequences for public health associated with the consumption of this contaminated product. According to official information published by the FDA, the decision responds to the results provided by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, which detected the anomalous presence of the metal in a routine analysis of product samples. The recall affects batches distributed by the company TBC Distribution Corporate, with a best-before date marked for September 15, 2027, in 40-gram packages and with a label that identifies Lucky Foods as the main brand. According to the institutional statement, the alert is added to others issued since 2024 by this federal agency regarding the risk posed by heavy metal contamination in spices from abroad. The FDA maintains supervision of this type of product, due to a history of previous recalls and the potential impact on health, especially in pediatric consumers and pregnant women, considered at-risk populations when exposed to lead.

Why did the FDA recall Lucky Foods cinnamon in the United States?

The FDA ordered the recall of this specific batch after receiving a notification from the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, whose laboratory tests showed that Lucky Foods cinnamon powder had a lead concentration above the safe limit defined by federal law for consumption by children and adults. The recall affects the 40-gram presentation, in a vacuum-sealed or modified atmosphere sachet, with a brown label and the brand clearly visible on the top of the package. “Exposure to lead can affect practically all body systems,” warned the FDA in its official notice, specifying that this metal is especially harmful to neurological development in minors. The recall is preventive and seeks to limit the circulation of the product in homes and businesses in the states identified in the distribution. There are no reports of illness or adverse effects linked to the consumption of the affected batch at this time, according to the federal authority in its press release. However, the monitoring of this alert will remain active until the complete withdrawal and destruction of the product is confirmed to protect the safety of consumers.

In which US states was the cinnamon recalled by the FDA distributed?

The batch of Lucky Foods cinnamon powder distributed by TBC Distribution Corporate reached retail stores, supermarkets, bodegas, bakeries, and restaurants in 14 U.S. states between April 11 and September 1, 2025. The states involved in the health alert are:

• California
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Maryland
• Michigan
• North Carolina
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Texas

The FDA reported that the breadth of the distribution reinforces the urgency for both individual consumers and businesses that continue to use cinnamon to verify the origin and lot number before offering the product to the public or in their homes.

What to do if I bought Lucky Foods cinnamon recalled by the FDA?

The FDA indicated that those who have Lucky Foods cinnamon with the expiration date of September 15, 2027, and 40-gram presentations should immediately stop consuming it. The agency asks to discard the product following local guidelines for safe food disposal and avoid any possibility of consumption, especially among minors or pregnant women, who are more sensitive to the effects of lead. To resolve doubts or make inquiries about the withdrawal process, the distributing company has enabled the telephone number 718-444-5556, valid from Monday to Friday during office hours from 08:00 to 17:00 (Eastern Time). Health authorities emphasize that contact should only be sought regarding the withdrawn batch and that businesses should set aside any other doubtful presentation pending further instructions. The agency also recommended that those who have consumed the recalled cinnamon and have concerns about their health, or who detect unusual symptoms, should consult a medical professional who can perform tests to rule out exposure to the heavy metal.The FDA alert responds to tests by the New York Department of Agriculture that detected lead above the legal limit. (Illustrative Image Infobae)

What symptoms does exposure to lead detected in the recalled cinnamon produce?

According to the FDA, punctual or prolonged exposure to lead can cause a variety of symptoms, although in many cases early signs are not present. Increases in lead levels can, in children, manifest only by elevated figures in blood tests, without other noticeable symptoms. However, the agency warns that prolonged exposure to lead carries permanent risks to the central nervous system. Among the consequences documented by the health authority are:

• Deficit in cognitive development
• Learning and memory problems
• Irreversible neurological damage
• Behavioral disorders

In adults, chronic exposure can lead to kidney failure, changes in blood pressure, and decreased neurocognitive performance. "There is no safe level of lead in the blood", the FDA emphasized in its statement.

What other brands and products are under FDA alert for lead contamination in cinnamon?

Since 2024, the FDA maintains an active public alert regarding the presence of lead in cinnamon-derived products distributed in the United States, as part of a problem detected with certain imported batches. In addition to Lucky Foods, the institutional listing includes other brands under observation in its different alerts and recalls:

• Venzu Traders
• DEVI
• BaiLiFeng
• Roshni
• HAETAE (HT)
• Durra
• Wise Wife
• Jiva Organics
• Super Brand
• Asli
• El Chilar
• Marcum
• SWAD
• Supreme Tradition
• Compania Indillor Orientale
• ALB Flavor
• Shahzada
• Spice Class
• La Frontera

The federal agency periodically reviews these listings and publishes updated alerts to communicate recalls in case of detecting new contaminated batches, both for lead and other public health hazards. The consumption of recalled Lucky Foods cinnamon represents a serious risk for children and pregnant women, according to the FDA. (Illustrative Image Infobae)

Why is lead still present in food products like cinnamon?

Lead can contaminate foods like cinnamon due to quality control failures in the production chain, adulteration, or contamination of soil and water in countries of origin. The FDA emphasizes the difficulty of completely eliminating this metal from some agricultural products, especially those grown in regions where the use of pesticides and industrial pollutants is less regulated. According to food safety guidelines, the FDA and other state agencies work together with importers and distributors to strengthen border controls and require additional certifications before allowing the commercialization of spices of international origin.

How to control the risk of lead exposure in food?

Consumers and merchants can reduce exposure by always reviewing labels, expiration dates, and lists of recalled lots for spice products, especially cinnamon. Frequent consultation of the FDA recall database facilitates the prevention and immediate removal of products for domestic or commercial use. The agency also recommends buying spices only in formally established stores, avoiding the purchase of bulk products without labeling, and immediately reporting to the authorities any detection of suspicious products. Exposure to lead in cinnamon can cause irreversible neurological damage and cognitive development problems in children. (Illustrative Image Infobae)

What impact does retirement have on retailers and food distribution?

The recall ordered by the FDA requires a complete review of Lucky Foods cinnamon powder stocks in the 14 designated states, in addition to the identification and isolation of other products of the brand. Businesses and distributors must collaborate in the processes of collection, return, and destruction of the batches in question. Official audit procedures include the need for public information and traceability to avoid recurrence. The agency highlighted that these types of recalls reinforce quality standards and protect the health safety of citizens, while encouraging importing companies to invest in stricter control and tracking systems.

What is expected from the alert about contaminated cinnamon?

The FDA will continue to evaluate and investigate potential new cases of lead contamination in cinnamon products and other imported spices. According to its December 9th statement, surveillance of the U.S. food supply chain will remain active and alerts and recalls will be updated when new risks are identified. The joint monitoring of state and federal agencies aims to prevent the re-entry of contaminated batches into the domestic market, as well as to periodically update the information available to both consumers and companies in the food sector. The authorities remind of the importance of consulting official channels in case of any doubt and acting preventively in the face of possible risks derived from the consumption of contaminated food.