A bargain-bin cinnamon found in California kitchens and markets is now off the shelves after state testing flagged elevated levels of lead. The recalled Lucky Foods brand cinnamon powder was sold earlier this year in small 40‑gram pouches, and officials are telling shoppers to dig through their spice racks and stop using the affected packages. Federal regulators also republished the distributor’s notice this week, so the recall is now rippling through multiple retail chains.
What's Being Recalled
The recall targets Lucky Foods brand Cinnamon Powder in 40‑gram vacuum or modified‑atmosphere pouches that carry a brown label and a "Best Before" date of Sept. 15, 2027, according to the FDA. TBC Distribution Corporate of Brooklyn, New York, the distributor, said it has cut ties with the supplier connected to the recalled lot. No illnesses tied to the product had been reported as of Dec. 9, the agency said.
Where It Was Sold And When
The pouches were shipped to grocery stores, convenience stores, delis, bakeries and restaurants in 14 states, including California, between April 11 and Sept. 1, 2025, as reported by FOX5 San Diego. The recall also reaches Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas. Anyone who grabbed these small, single‑serve style packets in the spring or summer is being urged to check for the brown label and the Sept. 15, 2027 best‑before date.
Why Lead Is A Concern
Lead is a cumulative toxin, which means even small amounts can build up in the body over time. It can damage neurological development in children and is linked to kidney problems, high blood pressure and neurocognitive issues in adults. Federal testing programs and consumer‑health reports have widened the spotlight on ground cinnamon since 2024, after repeated findings of lead in store‑bought samples, according to AARP. Because spices tend to sit in cupboards for years, a contaminated jar or packet can quietly fuel long‑term, low‑level exposure.
How To Check And What To Do
If you have the recalled cinnamon, do not eat it. Toss it in the trash in a way that keeps kids and pets from getting into it, or take it back to the store where you bought it for a return. The recall notice also lists a consumer hotline for the distributor at (718) 444‑5556, according to the FDA. Anyone concerned about possible lead exposure, especially parents, pregnant people or heavy spice users, should reach out to a healthcare provider or local health department to ask about testing and follow‑up.
Follow‑Up And Context
Regulators say they plan to keep testing cinnamon both in stores and at the border to track down contamination sources and keep tainted products out of circulation. This latest recall lands on top of a series of cinnamon‑related warnings and voluntary pullbacks that started in 2024 and stretched into 2025, underscoring ongoing worries about lead in ground spices, according to the Associated Press. Local retailers are being urged to comb through recall bulletins and yank any matching lots from their shelves.
