Did a 40‑gram pouch of cinnamon sneak into your pantry this year? Federal and state officials are asking consumers to take a quick look.
TBC Distribution Corporate of Brooklyn, N.Y., has recalled Lucky Foods brand Cinnamon Powder (40 g, best‑by date 15.09.2027) after New York State lab testing found elevated levels of lead. The product was sold to grocery stores, convenience stores, bakeries, delis and restaurants and was distributed between April 11 and Sept. 1, 2025.
What was pulled and where it went
The recall affects a small‑format, vacuum‑packed Lucky Foods cinnamon pouch stamped with the best‑by date 15.09.2027. According to federal and state notices, the product was shipped to retailers across 14 states: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.
Officials say no illnesses have been reported so far. The distributor has stopped working with the supplier linked to the contaminated lot.
Why this matters
Lead is a toxic metal that can cause harm even at low levels. Short exposures may not produce obvious symptoms; a raised blood lead level can be the only clue. Young children and pregnant people are especially vulnerable: prolonged exposure can damage the developing brain and nervous system, leading to learning and developmental problems. In adults, chronic exposure has been tied to kidney problems, high blood pressure and cognitive effects.
Health authorities emphasize that the risk depends on dose and duration. That’s why regulators treat any confirmed, avoidable contamination in commonly used foodstuffs seriously.
What to do if you have the product
- Do not eat the cinnamon powder if the package matches the description (Lucky Foods brand, 40 g, best‑by 15.09.2027).
- Dispose of it safely, or return it to the store where you bought it according to local guidance.
- For questions, the distributor listed a consumer contact number: 718‑444‑5556 (weekday hours).
If you’re worried about possible exposure — especially for a child or pregnant household member — contact your health provider about testing and next steps.
This recall is part of a broader FDA public‑health alert about lead contamination in certain ground cinnamon products that has been active since 2024. The agency has published lists of affected brands and continues to update guidance as new test results come in.
Public alerts are easier to miss than you think. As AI tools and search assistants get better at mining inboxes and documents for timely notices, they could help surface recalls and safety alerts directly to consumers — a capability companies like Google are exploring for personal data search and discovery as AI tools expand into email and Drive. Image‑recognition advances might also speed up how inspectors or retailers flag problematic packaging in the future as in recent developments in generative image models.
If you or someone in your household relies on spices often — in cooking or cultural recipes — it’s a good moment to scan the racks. Toss any matching pouches, call the distributor if you need more information, and check with your health provider if you have exposure concerns.