Ready, set, bake! But not before you check labels, especially as another product joins a growing list identified by the FDA for this reason.
Whatever’s on your Thanksgiving menu, there’s one key ingredient you’re sure to reach for time and time again. After all, no apple pie, bubbling batch of cranberry sauce, or spread of candied sweet potatoes would be complete without at least a pinch of a classic fall baking spice: cinnamon. And if you need even more reason to sprinkle some on your favorite dishes, research has also linked cinnamon to potential heart health benefits.
But just in time for the holiday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning that Homeneeds Inc. has recalled 140 packets of DEVI Brand Cinnamon Powder due to the discovery of “elevated levels of lead.” Though the affected items were distributed in just one state, Washington, the incident highlights a much broader problem that’s been sweeping spice aisles across the country.
Since 2023, national health authorities have been on high alert regarding dangerous levels of lead and chromium contamination detected in ground cinnamon, as well as other food products containing the ingredient. Apple purée and applesauce pouch products sold as snacks for children and toddlers were among the first products to be flagged for the concerning problem.
As part of an ongoing public health alert, the FDA has now identified a total of 20 ground cinnamon brands that contain elevated levels of lead. Samples of DEVI Brand Ground Cinnamon were discovered to have 2.92 mg/kg of lead, while the worst-offending brand on the list contained 10.7 mg/kg. “Based on the FDA’s assessment, prolonged exposure to these products may be unsafe and could contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood,” reads the agency’s overview.
On November 24, the FDA determined that this latest incident with DEVI Brand Ground Cinnamon is a mid-tier public health risk, and labeled it a Class II event using its three-tier scale. This indicates the agency has concluded that the cinnamon involved “may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
The recalled DEVI Brand Ground Cinnamon was sold in clear, 100-gram plastic bags and distributed at Apna Bazar locations in Washington between May 15, 2025 and October 21, 2025. Bearing the UPC 6 09595 11904 5 and the batch number 2502315, they are originally a product of India.
Although small, short-term exposures to lead often produce no obvious symptoms, rising blood lead levels may be the first detectable sign of a problem, the FDA noted in the recall’s news release. Higher or prolonged exposure, however, can trigger more serious health effects, which vary based on dose, duration, age, and body size.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead. Sustained exposure over weeks or months can permanently damage the developing central nervous system, leading to learning challenges, developmental delays, and other lasting complications. Adults may experience acute symptoms such as abdominal distress, muscle weakness, digestive issues, weight loss, or reduced urine output. Long-term exposure is tied to kidney issues, high blood pressure, and cognitive decline. Excessive lead intake can harm the brain, kidneys, and red blood cell production.
Per instructions given in the FDA’s recall notice, consumers who purchased the affected product “are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.” Additionally, anyone concerned about lead exposure after consuming the cinnamon “should talk to their health care providers about testing.”
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