Ground Cinnamon Sold in 14 States Recalled Over Lead Concerns
If ground cinnamon is on your shopping list for holiday baking, it’s worth taking a quick look at your spice rack first.
On Thursday, Oct. 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a recall of Wise Wife Brand Ground Cinnamon sold in 14 states. SLR Food Distribution Inc., a company based in Hicksville, New York, is recalling the cinnamon because it could be contaminated with elevated levels of lead.
No illnesses have been reported so far.
What’s Being Recalled
The recalled cinnamon comes in 3.88-ounce clear plastic containers with black screw-top caps. Affected containers have a Best Before date of 4/25/2027 and UPC code 0688474302754 printed on the label.
The cinnamon was distributed to stores in 14 states between Sept. 8, 2025, and June 28, 2026:
Connecticut
Indiana
Kansas
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nebraska
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Texas
Virginia
Wisconsin
SLR Food Distribution has stopped distributing the product and has recommended that stores pull it from their shelves.
How the Lead Was Found
The recall began after Connecticut’s agricultural experiment station, a state government agency, collected a sample of the cinnamon for testing. The results showed elevated levels of lead in the product, according to the FDA.
Not the First Time for This Brand
This isn’t the first time Wise Wife cinnamon has been recalled. In September 2025, SLR Food Distribution recalled a different Wise Wife ground cinnamon product after FDA testing found elevated lead levels. That earlier recall involved cinnamon sold in seven states, including New Jersey, New York and Florida, and it was packaged in a smaller jar with a different UPC code.
Because spices have a long shelf life, it’s worth checking for both recalls if you buy this brand regularly.
Why Lead in Cinnamon Is a Concern
Lead exposure doesn’t always cause obvious symptoms. According to the FDA, short-term exposure to very low levels of lead may not cause any symptoms at all, and an elevated blood lead level may be the only sign.
The agency notes that more noticeable symptoms are more likely with higher-level or long-term exposure. While lead can affect nearly every system in the body, its effects depend on how much a person is exposed to, how long the exposure lasts, and a person’s age and body weight.
Children are especially vulnerable. The FDA says prolonged lead exposure can damage a child’s central nervous system, which can lead to learning disorders, developmental defects and other long-term health problems.
A Wider Problem With Ground Cinnamon
Wise Wife is one of several cinnamon brands recalled for lead in recent years. The FDA said in 2024 that lead contamination in cinnamon had become a frequent issue.
Just last month, on Sept. 24, Galil Importing Corp. of Hauppauge, New York, recalled its Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning, which was sold in six states, over potentially elevated lead levels.
The FDA keeps a full list of recalled brands of ground cinnamon on its website, which is worth checking if you’re unsure about a product in your pantry.
What to Do If You Have It
If you have the recalled cinnamon at home, don’t use it. The FDA advises customers to either throw it away or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Customers with questions can contact SLR Food Distribution at 516-437-3782 or by email at slrusaorder@gmail.com.
If you’re worried that you or a family member may have been exposed to lead, talk to a doctor. A blood test can check for elevated lead levels, which is especially important for young children and pregnant people.
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