Ground Cinnamon Recall: What to Know About the FDA’s Warning

If you have cinnamon sitting in your spice rack, it might be time to take a closer look because the ground cinnamon recall of 2025 has now expanded to include even more popular brands across the country.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its investigation into ground cinnamon after tests found elevated levels of lead in several brands sold nationwide. The FDA ground cinnamon recall now includes 18 different products, with the newest additions coming from DEVI and BaiLiFeng. 

Both brands were flagged after samples were collected from retail stores and found to contain unsafe levels of lead. 

According to the FDA, long-term exposure could be very dangerous, especially for young children.

A Growing Recall

The cinnamon recall started in mid-2024 and has continued through 2025 as more test results come in. The newest findings raise the total to nearly twenty affected brands, some sold in major retail chains and small specialty shops alike.

The FDA said the results came from state testing programs that were later confirmed by its own laboratories. The products were distributed to stores across the country, including several discount chains and international markets. 

In some cases, affected cinnamon was sold at regional grocers or imported under different labels, making it harder for consumers to spot.

Officials say the spice recall of 2025 will remain active as more batches are tested, with further updates expected later this year. So far, no illnesses or hospitalizations have been reported, but the agency is urging everyone to check their kitchen shelves.

What the FDA Found

The FDA’s latest testing has confirmed cinnamon lead contamination in multiple products. Lead is a naturally occurring metal, but it should never appear in high amounts in food.

The elevated lead cinnamon samples tested between 2 and 7 parts per million, well above the agency’s recommended threshold. 

Prolonged exposure can cause lead to build up in the body, potentially leading to serious health effects over time.

Young children are particularly vulnerable because their bodies absorb lead more easily. Studies show that early and repeated exposure can contribute to:

• Neurological problems

• Behavioral issues

• Developmental delays 

Adults exposed to high levels may also experience fatigue, stomach pain, or high blood pressure.

To address the risk, the agency is working with state regulators and import partners to trace where the contamination began. 

Investigators are also checking whether certain suppliers or processing facilities used cinnamon powder from the same source.

What You Should Do

If you’ve purchased ground cinnamon recently, the safest move is to compare your container’s brand name and lot code with the FDA’s published recall list. Affected brands include:

• DEVI

• BaiLiFeng

• Roshni

• Jiva Organics

• Marcum

• Super Brand

For a complete list of the brands and the stores where they were sold, you can review the FDA’s full advisory here.

We're advised to throw away any of the listed products or return them to the store for a refund. 

It’s not enough to just stop using them because lead exposure can occur through small amounts of dust or residue left on cooking surfaces.

If you think you or anyone in your family has ingested any recalled cinnamon, you should contact your physician. He or she can perform a blood test to check for elevated lead levels, which can often be managed if caught early.

What Happens Next

The FDA recall alerts and cinnamon campaign is part of a wider review of imported spices, which has revealed similar contamination risks in recent years. 

Officials say the goal isn’t only to remove unsafe products from shelves, but also to strengthen testing standards and traceability in global spice production.

The agency will continue its random sampling program into 2026, expanding it to include other imported seasonings like turmeric and paprika. 

The investigation is ongoing, but the FDA says these alerts are an essential precaution to keep lead-contaminated food out of American kitchens.

For now, the message is simple: check your cinnamon before your next recipe. One quick look could make all the difference.

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