The Cinnamon Recall That Keeps Growing

Cinnamon season is here — the scent of fall candles, the swirl on your latte, that sprinkle over your morning oats — but there’s one place you don’t want to find it right now: the FDA’s recall list.

That’s because what started as a small recall of lead-tainted cinnamon has turned into a full-blown saga. It’s been over a year since the first alarms went off, and instead of fading away like last year’s PSL hype, the list of affected brands keeps growing.

Back in July 2024, the FDA launched an investigation after several cinnamon-flavored fruit puree pouches (yes, the same kind found in kids’ snacks and Dollar Tree aisles) were discovered to contain alarmingly high levels of lead. That discovery prompted state-level testing of cinnamon products — and, well, the results were not the cozy fall vibes anyone hoped for.

Fast forward to today: 16 brands and counting have now been pulled from shelves across the country. The recall has spread to retailers like Dollar Tree, Save-A-Lot, and smaller stores nationwide. Names like Durra, Roshni, Asli, and Marcum are among those on the growing list (check the FDA’s website for the full, ever-expanding lineup).

If you’ve got any of those in your spice rack, the FDA’s advice is simple: ditch them, pronto. Contact the retailer if you want a refund — but don’t risk cooking with them. And if anyone in your household has eaten recalled cinnamon or products made with it, it’s worth keeping an eye out for symptoms of lead exposure: headaches, stomach pain, memory issues, fatigue — the whole not-so-fun list.

Here’s the kicker: while the FDA requires lead in foods to stay below 2 parts per million, the World Health Organization reminds us that no amount of lead is truly safe. The real challenge? Lead is naturally present in soil and water, meaning it can sneak into the very tree bark that gives us cinnamon in the first place. Combine that with inconsistent safety standards from other countries (since much of the world’s cinnamon is imported), and you’ve got a recipe for trouble.

The health risks are especially serious for babies and children — think developmental delays, learning problems, and in severe cases, seizures and hearing loss. That’s why the FDA has been pushing hard to reduce lead in baby foods over the last few years.

Stick with major, reputable spice labels, skip the off-brand bargains, and maybe double-check the ban list before you sprinkle it over your next bowl of oatmeal. Because nothing ruins a cozy fall breakfast quite like a dash of lead.