The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expanded its recall of ground cinnamon to include a total of 16 brands after discovering elevated levels of lead. This action follows state-level product testing that raised concerns about the safety of various cinnamon products, prompting further investigation by the FDA.
The brands now included in the recall are HAETAE, Roshni, Durra, Wise Wife, and several others. The FDA stated that the cinnamon products “may be unsafe” for consumption due to these elevated lead levels. The agency has been working closely with state partners who have conducted continuous sampling of ground cinnamon available at retail outlets.
Details of the Recalled Brands
The expanded recall list features a variety of brands, including:
– HAETAE
– Roshni
– Wise Wife
– La Frontera
– Durra, available in California and Michigan
– El Chilar, sold at El Torito Market
– Marcum, found at Save-A-Lot Food Stores
– SWAD, distributed by Patel Brothers
– Supreme Tradition, available at Dollar Tree
– Compania Indillor Orientale, sold at Eurogrocery
– ALB Flavor, also from Eurogrocery
– Shahzada, sold at Premium Supermarket
– Spice Class, available at Fish World
– Jiva Organics, found at Taj Supermarket in California
– Super Brand, sold at Asian Supermarket in Little Rock, Arkansas
– Asli, available at A&Y Global Market in Columbia, Missouri
Consumers are advised to avoid purchasing these products. Those who have already bought the recalled cinnamon are instructed to dispose of it. The FDA warns that consuming these products could result in elevated lead levels in the blood, which poses significant health risks.
The agency has recommended that all implicated brands voluntarily recall their products. However, it has not yet established contact with Haitai Inc., the producer of the HAETAE-brand cinnamon. As of September 2023, there have been no reported illnesses or adverse events linked to the consumption of these cinnamon products.
As investigations continue, the FDA remains committed to analyzing cinnamon samples and reviewing results from state-level testing. This ongoing scrutiny underscores the agency’s priority in ensuring consumer safety and public health.
