No illnesses have been reported, but customers should discard the product or return it for a refund, according to the FDA

NEED TO KNOW

• A popular fall baking ingredient has been recalled in more than a dozen states for potential lead poisoning
• Wise Wife Brand Ground Cinnamon was recalled after testing found elevated levels of lead
• No illnesses have been reported, but customers should discard the product or return it for a refund

A fall baking essential has been recalled in more than a dozen states for potential lead poisoning.

On Thursday, Oct. 29, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the company SLR Food Distribution Inc. is recalling its Wise Wife Brand Ground Cinnamon because it could be contaminated with “elevated levels of lead.”

The Hicksville, N.Y.-based company initiated the recall after the Connecticut state government’s agricultural experiment station collected a sample of the cinnamon and tested it. Results showed elevated levels of lead in the product, according to the FDA. No illnesses have been reported to date.

The bottles of cinnamon, packaged in 3.88-ounce clear plastic containers with black screw-top caps, were distributed to stores in Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin between Sept. 8, 2025, and June 28, 2026.

Impacted bottles show a Best Before date of 4/25/2027, as well as a UPC code of 0688474302754, on the label.

SLR Food Distribution Inc. has stopped the distribution of the product and has recommended that stores remove the cinnamon from store shelves. Customers should not consume the recalled spice and should either discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund, according to the FDA.

The FDA said consumers should know that short-term exposure to very low levels of lead may not cause symptoms, as increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign of lead exposure.

“Additional signs and symptoms of lead exposure are more likely with acute exposure to higher levels of lead or chronic exposure to lead,” the FDA said. “While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount and duration of exposure, as well as the age and body weight of the individual.”

NEED TO KNOW

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Prolonged exposure to lead can also cause central nervous system damage in children, the agency said, which can result in learning disorders, developmental defects and other long-term health problems.

Customers with questions about the recall can contact SLR at 516-437-3782 or by email at slrusaorder@gmail.com.

Lead contamination in cinnamon has become a frequent issue over the past several years, the FDA said in 2024. Last month, another brand of cinnamon sold in six states was recalled due to potentially elevated levels of lead.

On Sept. 24, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that Galil Importing Corp. of Hauppauge, N.Y., was recalling its Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning.

A full list of recalled brands of ground cinnamon can be found on the FDA’s website.

#Cinnamon #Recalled #States #Concerns #Lead #Contamination