A potential lead contamination is to blame for a ground cinnamon recall in 14 states, federal officials announced.
According to a Dec. 9 posting on theU.S. Food and Drug Administration's website, the cinnamon was sold by TBC Distribution Corporate in Brooklyn, New York.
Officials say the recall was announced after an analysis by the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets found elevated levels of lead in Lucky Foods-branded cinnamon powder.
According to therecall, the affected cinnamon has a best-by date of Sept. 15, 2027, and "is packaged in a vacuum or modified atmosphere 40g pouch with a brown label indicating Lucky Foods brand at the top of the pouch."
This recall is tied to a public health alert about lead contamination in cinnamon products that has been ongoing since 2024,according to the FDA. The recalled Lucky Foods brand cinnamon was added to the alert on Dec. 10.
Consumer Reports, the nonprofit known for testing and monitoring consumer-facing policy and products, released its annual risky food report in April, naming the 10 foods of 2024 that were subject to the most recalls and/or associated with the largest illness outbreaks. USA TODAY broke it down further on a what-you-need-to-know basis. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Deli meat is somewhat of a "risky" food as it is often associated with the spread of listeria, such as in the 2024 case of the Boar's Head listeria outbreak that killed 10. Listeria monocytogenes is a hardy germ that can survive in very low temperatures but thrives in cool and damp places. It can, and will, happily live on foods in your or your grocery store's storage area, and the process for mass-producing the meat lends itself to plenty of opportunities for contamination." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Produce, like the cucumbers recalled due to a salmonella outbreak that infected 113 people across 23 states, can become adulterated with harmful bacteria through fecal contamination, which can occur through wastewater, water in the growing area, fertilizer and the proximity of the growing area to livestock." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Raw dairy, which is always unsafe to consume and illegal to sell in some states, poses a risk when it's not pasteurized. Dairy pasteurization, or heating milk products to a high enough temperature to kill harmful bacteria, has been practiced since the 1920s and has resulted in illnesses commonly spread via milk, such as listeriosis, diphtheria and tuberculosis, becoming less prevalent." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Cotija and queso fresco cheese are made from unpasteurized milk, meaning they carry an increased risk. One producer, Rizo-Lopez Foods, was shut down in October 2024 after its cheeses were linked to a years-long listeria outbreak that killed two people and made dozens of others sick." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Eggs can become contaminated via the same means as cucumbers and other raw produce, especially if they have a cracked shell. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Like other raw produce, onions can become infected via fecal contamination. In 2024, E. coli-contaminated slivered onions on McDonald's Quarter Pounders triggered some locations to stop serving the burger temporarily. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Like cucumbers and onions, leafy greens are easily contaminated with bacteria like E. coli, as in the case of the Solata Foods spinach recall in 2024. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Organic carrots were linked to a major E. coli outbreak in late 2024, leaving at least 39 ill and one dead. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 
Ready-to-eat/cooked poultry and meat have been the source of multiple major recalls and foodborne illness outbreaks in recent years. The same issue arises with RTE foods as with deli meat; the conditions they are made and stored under are often ideal for bacteria such as listeria to grow. In 2024, millions of pounds of RTE foods were recalled by BrucePac for listeria contamination. " style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> See the 'risky foods' linked to US recalls and illness outbreaks
Consumer Reports, the nonprofit known for testing and monitoring consumer-facing policy and products, releasedits annual risky food reportin April, naming the 10 foods of 2024 that were subject to the most recalls and/or associated with the largest illness outbreaks. USA TODAYbroke it down furtheron a what-you-need-to-know basis.
Where was the recalled cinnamon sold?
The affected products were distributed to retailers in the following 14 states between April 11 and Sept. 1:
California
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Maryland
Michigan
North Carolina
New Jersey
New York
Ohio
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
Texas
More recalls:Thousands of eggs sold in California recalled for salmonella concerns
Have there been any illnesses tied to the recalled cinnamon?
Officials say that no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall.
Other cinnamon products listed under the FDA Public Health Alert
In addition to the Lucky Foods brand, here are the other brands included in the alert:
Lucky Foods
Venzu Traders
DEVI
BaiLiFeng
Roshni
HAETAE (HT)
Durra
Wise Wife
Jiva Organics
Super Brand
Asli
El Chilar
Marcum
SWAD
Supreme Tradition
Compania Indillor Orientale
ALB Flavor
Shahzada
Spice Class
La Frontera
Symptoms of short-term lead exposure
Short-term exposures to low levels of lead may not cause any apparent symptoms. Increased blood lead levels may be the only sign of lead exposure.
The FDA saidthat if a child is exposed to enough lead for weeks or months on end, it can cause permanent damage to the central nervous system. "This can result in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems,"the FDA wrote.
Chronic lead exposure can cause kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects in adults.
What to do if you have this recalled cinnamon product?
If you have this recalled ground cinnamon affected by the ongoing recall, refrain from consuming it and contact the company at 718-444-5556 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET, for more information.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ground cinnamon recalled in 14 states added to FDA Public Health Alert
