FDA warns cinnamon could be contaminated just ahead of holiday baking season

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   FDA identifies 21 cinnamon products with elevated lead levels

   The FDA is advising consumers to discard and stop purchasing specific ground cinnamon products after tests revealed elevated levels of lead. The agency has expanded its public health alert to include a total of 21 products. This includes Wise Wife brand ground cinnamon from SLR Food Distribution Inc. of Hicksville, NY, which has been recalled in 14 states, including Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina. Consumers are urged to check their cabinets and packaging information to identify affected products.

   Why it matters

   Lead is a toxic metal that can contaminate food supplies. The FDA is the federal agency responsible for supervising food safety and enforcing the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This alert comes immediately before the holiday baking season when cinnamon consumption typically increases.

   What is confirmed

   • The FDA has identified 21 cinnamon products containing dangerously high levels of lead.
   • Wise Wife brand ground cinnamon from SLR Food Distribution Inc. is included in the alert.
   • Ground cinnamon has been recalled in 14 states due to potential lead contamination.
   • The FDA advises consumers to throw away the listed ground cinnamon products.

   What to watch next

   • Additional products added to the FDA public health alert list
   • Official identification of the source of the lead contamination
   • Further state-level recalls beyond the current 14 states
   Sources used for this update (22)

   1. www.fda.gov — U.S. Food and Drug Administration
   2. www.fda.gov — Drugs | FDA
   3. en.wikipedia.org — Food and Drug Administration - Wikipedia
   4. www.usa.gov — Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | USAGov
   5. www.fda.gov — Food | FDA
   6. www.fda.gov — Drug Approvals and Databases | FDA
   7. FOX 8 News — FDA warns cinnamon could be contaminated just ahead of holiday baking season
   8. Simply Recipes — Never Buy Ground Cinnamon Without Checking This, an Expert Warns
   9. USA Today — Ground cinnamon sold in 14 states recalled. See affected product
   10. WKRC — Cooking & baking spice recalled in 14 states including Ohio, Indiana
   11. Martha Stewart — Ground Cinnamon Recalled Ahead of Holiday Baking Season Due to High Lead Levels
   12. KING5.com — Ground cinnamon recalled in 14 states over possible lead contamination
   confidence 100%