Cinnamon recall issued in 14 states over possible lead exposure

A recall has been issued for a ground cinnamon spice that has been sold to retail stores in 14 states because of potential exposure to elevated levels of lead. 

What we know:

The Food & Drug Administration announced SLR Food Distribution has issued a voluntary recall of Wise Wife Brand Ground Cinnamon because it has the potential to be contaminated with lead. 

Big picture view:

The cinnamon has been sold for the past year, up until earlier this summer on June 28, 2026, at grocery stores in 14 states; Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. 

Why you should care:

Wise Wife has the spice packaged in clear plastic containers with a black screw-top cap. They have a best by date of April 25, 2027, with the UPC 0688474302754 printed on the back label. 

The company discovered the elevated levels after a sample was collected by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. SLR Food Distribution Inc. then immediately stopped the sale of the product and removed it from store shelves, asking any remaining inventory to be placed on hold and follow their recall instructions. 

Dig deeper:

Anyone exposed to lead may not show any immediate overt symptoms. Signs are likely to come with acute exposure to higher levels of lead or chronic exposure. It can affect every bodily system; the impact does depend on a variety of factors. However, prolonged exposure could lead to permanent damage to the central nervous system.

So far, no illnesses have been reported to the FDA. 

The Source: This story was written with information provided by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. This story was reported from Orlando.