Amid concerns over an imported spice with expiration dates stretching well into the future, here's what officials want you to know.
Cinnamon adds a warm, comforting aroma to baking, cooking, and cocktails, making it a frequent star of seasonal holiday cuisine at this time of year. But a new announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highlights a growing concern: a far-reaching recall has been issued after one state’s officials detected unsafe levels of lead in the product.
According to the FDA, the tainted cinnamon reached a broad range of outlets including grocery stores, convenience stores, supermarkets, deli stores, bakeries, and restaurants located in 14 states: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Texas.
The product in question is labeled as Lucky Foods Cinnamon Powder (40 g), specifically packages marked with a best-before date of September 15, 2027. The label also bears the phrase “Georgian Dry Spices.” The cinnamon—sold in a compact, vacuum-sealed or modified-atmosphere pouch featuring a brown label with the Lucky Foods logo—was widely distributed by the Brooklyn, New York-based company TBC Distribution Corporate between April 11 and September 1, 2025.
The contamination came to light after testing conducted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, which found lead concentrations above acceptable limits. TBC Distribution has since cut ties with the product’s supplier, the recall notice states.
Although no illnesses have been reported as of December 9, FDA officials stress that lead exposure carries real risks. Low-level, short-term contact may produce no immediate symptoms, making it difficult for consumers to recognize a problem. Continued or high-dose exposure, however, can be far more serious.
Lead can disrupt multiple organ systems, and its impact varies with age, body size, and duration of exposure. Children are especially vulnerable: prolonged intake can impair brain development and potentially cause lasting learning or behavioral difficulties. Adults, meanwhile, may face increased risks of kidney complications, high blood pressure, and cognitive decline with long-term exposure.
This latest product will be added to an expanding list of lead- and cadmium-contaminated spices identified by the FDA, bringing the total number of recalled products up to 20.
“These products have a long shelf life. Consumers should check their homes and discard these products,” the FDA advises. “If there’s suspicion that someone has been exposed to elevated levels of lead, talk to your healthcare provider.”
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