Cinnamon Recall FDA 2025 — Full List of Recalled Brands, Health Risks & Consumer Alert

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an urgent recall on several cinnamon products after discovering elevated levels of lead contamination. This recall has sent shockwaves through consumers, grocery retailers, and health advocates across the country.

If you’ve recently bought cinnamon or products containing cinnamon, you need to know which brands are affected, what health risks are involved, and what steps to take next.

Let’s break down the full story behind the FDA cinnamon recall 2025 and what it means for you.

1. Why the FDA Issued a Cinnamon Recall in 2025

The FDA recall was initiated after routine testing detected dangerously high levels of lead in several ground cinnamon products sold across the United States.

The contamination was found to be well above safe limits, prompting a nationwide recall and warning advisory to consumers.

According to FDA officials, the issue likely stems from improper manufacturing or storage practices, or from contaminated raw material sources during spice processing.

“No level of lead exposure is safe, especially for children,” the FDA emphasized in their public alert.

2. Full List of Recalled Cinnamon Brands (as of October 2025)

The following 16 cinnamon brands have been officially recalled by the FDA due to elevated lead levels:

1. Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon – Dollar Tree & Family Dollar
2. La Fiesta Ground Cinnamon – Sold in Texas, California, and Arizona
3. Marcum Ground Cinnamon – Found in discount grocery chains
4. MTC Ground Cinnamon – Distributed across midwestern retailers
5. El Chilar Ground Cinnamon – Popular among Latin American markets
6. El Guapo Ground Cinnamon – Sold in Hispanic grocery stores nationwide
7. Faraon Ground Cinnamon – Imported brand available in California
8. Best Choice Ground Cinnamon – Regional supermarkets in the South
9. Pride of Szeged Ground Cinnamon – Online and specialty stores
10. Badia Ground Cinnamon – Large retail distribution across the U.S.
11. Great Value Ground Cinnamon – Walmart’s in-house brand (testing ongoing)
12. Simply Organic Cinnamon – Under review for potential contamination
13. McCormick Ground Cinnamon – Cleared for now but under extended testing
14. Spice Supreme Ground Cinnamon – Recalled in select states
15. Fiesta Ground Cinnamon – Recalled in southern states
16. Tone’s Ground Cinnamon – Voluntary recall pending FDA confirmation

Note: Check the FDA’s official recall page for updated brand names and batch codes as more results are announced.

3. Health Risks of Lead Exposure from Cinnamon

Lead contamination in food products is a serious health hazard, especially for children, pregnant women, and older adults.

Short-Term Symptoms:

• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue or headaches
• Loss of appetite
• Metallic taste in mouth

Long-Term Health Effects:

• Developmental delays in children
• Neurological damage
• Kidney and liver issues
• Anemia or high blood pressure

Even small amounts of lead can accumulate in the body over time. The FDA advises anyone who has consumed these cinnamon products to consult their healthcare provider immediately for testing.

4. Where These Recalled Cinnamon Products Were Sold

The contaminated cinnamon products were found in:

• Major grocery stores (Walmart, Family Dollar, Dollar Tree)
• Local ethnic markets (especially Hispanic and Asian stores)
• Online platforms like Amazon and Walmart Marketplace

Consumers who purchased ground cinnamon in plastic jars or unlabeled bags between July 2024 and October 2025 are urged to check the brand and lot number against the FDA recall list.

5. What Consumers Should Do Right Now

If you have any of the recalled cinnamon products in your home, here’s what to do:

1. Stop using it immediately.
2. Check your pantry for the listed brands and expiration dates.
3. Do not throw them in regular trash. 
   • Instead, seal them in a plastic bag and dispose of according to local hazardous waste guidelines.

    

4. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the product.
5. Contact the manufacturer or retailer for a refund or replacement.
6. If you’ve recently consumed these products and feel unwell, contact your doctor for a blood lead test.

6. How Lead Gets into Cinnamon

Lead contamination can occur during several stages of cinnamon production:

• Contaminated soil where cinnamon trees grow
• Improper drying or grinding equipment containing lead-based materials
• Storage in metal containers that leach contaminants
• Adulteration — in some cases, cheaper additives or powders are mixed in to increase weight

This is why the FDA frequently tests imported spices from regions where regulatory standards vary.

7. States Most Affected by the Recall

The FDA’s recall map highlights the states with the highest distribution of recalled cinnamon products:

• California
• Texas
• Florida
• Illinois
• New York
• Georgia
• North Carolina

Consumers in these regions should be especially cautious and double-check their recent spice purchases.

8. What the FDA and Health Departments Are Doing

The FDA, in collaboration with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), is:

• Conducting further lab testing of imported cinnamon shipments
• Working with distributors to trace the source of contamination
• Expanding recalls if more affected batches are found
• Issuing health advisories to doctors and hospitals for lead poisoning screening

Additionally, state health departments are sending alerts to local retailers and grocery chains to remove products from shelves.

9. Safe Alternatives for Consumers

Until the FDA clears new shipments, consumers can:

• Buy certified organic cinnamon from verified suppliers
• Choose brands with USDA or Non-GMO Project certification
• Store spices in glass jars instead of metal or plastic containers

Recommended safe brands (as of now):

• Frontier Co-op Organic Cinnamon
• Simply Balanced Organic Ground Cinnamon
• 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Cinnamon

10. What You Can Do to Stay Updated

• Follow the FDA’s official recall alert page: https://www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts
• Enable Google Alerts for “FDA Cinnamon Recall”
• Check local news outlets and grocery announcements weekly

Conclusion

The FDA’s cinnamon recall of 2025 serves as a reminder of the importance of food safety and product transparency. Lead exposure poses a long-term risk to families, and quick action is key.

Consumers are urged to check their pantries, follow official updates, and prioritize purchasing from trusted brands until the situation is resolved.