FDA Cinnamon Recall 2025: Everything You Need to Know

You may have heard in the news that the spice you’ve been freely sprinkling on breakfast cereals or on top of your morning latte might actually pose a serious health risk. The Food and Drug Administration has recently expanded its ground cinnamon recall to include 16 brands after discovering concerning levels of lead in some products.

In this article, we’ll explore the affected brands so you can protect the health of your family and loved ones.

Why has the FDA recalled 16 cinnamon brands?

After a state-level investigation, the FDA found dangerous levels of lead in multiple cinnamon brands, prompting an official recall of 16 products. The affected brands contain lead levels that range between 2.03 and 7.68 parts per million (ppm), exceeding regulatory limits.

An earlier 2023 investigation into apple sauce and cinnamon-flavored fruit pouches found elevated lead levels in a number of affected brands, which caused lead-related health issues in many children across the U.S. The current 2025 cinnamon recall forms part of the FDA’s ongoing commitment to reduce childhood lead exposure in food products.

Although cinnamon products aren’t specifically marketed for children, they are often used in foods that young children consume. Think about your favorite baked goods, cereals, and desserts. Do you or your kids reach for a cinnamon swirl at the bakery? Perhaps your favorite cereal is cinnamon-flavored? With the recall in mind, it might be a good idea to check the ingredients before you buy.

Which brands of cinnamon has the FDA recalled?

According to the FDA website, the following brands have been recalled:

• HAETAE (4.60 ppm)
• Roshni (2.26 ppm)
• Durra (2.44 ppm)
• Wise Wife (2.49 ppm)
• Jiva Organics (2.29 ppm)
• Super Brand (7.68 and 6.60 ppm)
• Asli (2.32 ppm)
• El Chilar (3.75 and 7.01 ppm)
• Marcum (2.22 and 2.14 ppm)
• SWAD (2.89 ppm)
• Supreme Tradition (2.37 ppm)
• Compania Indillor Orientale (2.23 ppm)
• ALB Flavor (3.93 ppm)
• Shahzada (2.03 ppm)
• Spice Class (2.04 ppm)
• La Frontera (2.66 ppm)

Their website advises against purchasing any of these brands. And, if you have any lurking in your cupboards, the recommendation is to throw them away immediately.

How did the contamination happen?

There are multiple points in the production process that can lead to contamination. The well-loved spice comes from the inner bark of certain tree species belonging to the genus Cinnamomum, which can absorb lead from contaminated soil, often from industrial byproducts.

There’s also a risk of lead leaching into cinnamon products from processing equipment, packaging materials, or storage containers.

What are the health risks associated with lead contamination?

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that accumulates in the body over time. Perhaps most worrying is the fact that long-term (months–years) dietary exposure can cause serious and sometimes irreversible health issues in both adults and children. The effects are particularly concerning for children, whose bodies and brains are still growing and developing. It’s worth noting that the FDA emphasizes that there are no known safe levels of lead consumption.

Final word on the 2025 cinnamon recall

It’s never nice to think that a well-used and familiar pantry staple could be causing you and your family harm, but the expanded 2025 cinnamon recall raises some important and uncomfortable questions about food safety and quality control. It’s vital that you check your spice cabinet for any of the affected brands and follow the FDA guidance to dispose of any that you find.

The best way to ensure your products are safe is to regularly check the FDA site for updates so you can stay informed. And, although no illnesses have been officially linked to the recalled products, the health implications mean that this recall is a matter to take seriously.