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World of Baby Food
Lead in Cinnamon and Baby Food: 2026 Recalls and What Parents Should Know
The short answer
FDA has kept a public health alert on ground cinnamon with elevated lead since July 2024, and on November 4, 2026 it added Wise Wife ground cinnamon, tested at 2.118 ppm lead [1]. FDA notes that cinnamon is used in many foods young children eat [1]. The listed products should be thrown away [1]. The 2023 WanaBana pouch outbreak showed how contaminated cinnamon can reach toddlers [4][5].
This is general information, not medical advice. Talk to your pediatrician if you are worried about your child.
Why is cinnamon linked to lead?
Cinnamon is a spice, not a baby food, but FDA says it "is used in many foods young children consume" [1]. Because of that, FDA treats lead in ground cinnamon as part of its Closer to Zero work on reducing children's lead exposure and recommends recalls even when the spice is not marketed for children [1].
FDA has asked states to prioritize testing of ground cinnamon and other spices, and several state labs now sample cinnamon at retail and send results to FDA [1]. Most of the products on FDA's list were found this way [1].
What cinnamon was recalled in 2026?
On October 29, 2026, SLR Food Distribution Inc. of Hicksville, New York, recalled Wise Wife brand ground cinnamon after a sample analyzed by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station showed elevated lead [2]. Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection collected the samples [3].
| Detail | Recalled product [2] |
|---|---|
| Product | Wise Wife Ground Cinnamon, 110 g (3.88 oz) clear plastic jar, black screw cap |
| UPC | 0688474302754 (back label) |
| Best before | 4/25/2027 |
| Sold | Retail and grocery stores in 14 states, September 8, 2025 to June 28, 2026 |
| Illnesses | None reported |
The 14 states are Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin [2]. FDA's alert table lists the lead level as 2.118 ppm [1].
What happened with the WanaBana cinnamon applesauce pouches?
In October 2023, North Carolina health officials investigating four children with elevated blood lead levels identified WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches as a possible shared source [4]. WanaBana pouches and Schnucks and Weis cinnamon applesauce pouches were recalled [4]. FDA testing also found high levels of chromium [5].
CDC counted 566 total cases in 44 states, plus Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico: 130 confirmed, 401 probable and 35 suspect, as of its October 23, 2024 data update [5]. The investigation is now inactive, and FDA's response has moved to post-incident activities [4][5].
How do today's cinnamon lead levels compare with the WanaBana outbreak?
They are much lower, but FDA still recommends discarding the products. In its third 2024 alert, FDA said the recalled ground cinnamon ranged from 2.03 to 7.68 ppm lead [1]:
| Source | Lead in cinnamon (ppm) |
|---|---|
| WanaBana pouch cinnamon (2023) [1] | 2,270 to 5,110 |
| Ground cinnamon in FDA's third 2024 alert [1] | 2.03 to 7.68 |
| Wise Wife ground cinnamon, added November 2026 [1] | 2.118 |
FDA says long-term exposure (months to years) to elevated lead in the diet could contribute to adverse health effects, and that the very young are particularly vulnerable [1].
What can parents do?
- Check your spice cupboard. Ground cinnamon has a long shelf life, so FDA advises checking homes and discarding any listed products [1].
- Match the label. Compare brand, UPC and dates with FDA's alert table and the recall notice [1][2].
- Vary foods. FDA says eating many different foods and alternating how often you serve the same food lowers repeat exposure to one contaminant [1]; see homemade vs store-bought baby food.
- Ask about a blood test. Most children have no obvious symptoms, so if you suspect lead exposure, talk to your child's healthcare provider about a blood lead test [4][5]; see blood lead testing for babies and toddlers.
- Watch other puree recalls too. Apple-based purees can also carry a mold toxin; see patulin in baby food.
FAQ
Is all cinnamon contaminated with lead?
No. FDA's alert names specific products with elevated lead and advises discarding those [1]. FDA continues testing cinnamon at retail and at import [1].
Can I still use cinnamon in my baby's food?
Our sources do not set a rule for home use. FDA's advice is to discard the listed products and to keep the diet varied [1]. Ask your pediatrician if you are unsure.
Were children harmed by the 2026 Wise Wife cinnamon?
No illnesses had been reported when the recall was announced [2].
Is there a safe level of lead for children?
CDC says there is no safe level of lead [5]. For how lead limits apply to packaged baby food, see our lead vs cadmium comparison.
Why are state labs finding these products?
FDA asked states to prioritize testing of ground cinnamon and spices, and state labs in several states have sampled cinnamon at retail and shared results with FDA [1]. The Wise Wife sample came from Connecticut [2][3].
References
- U.S. FDA, More Ground Cinnamon Products Added to FDA Public Health Alert Due to Presence of Elevated Levels of Lead (updated November 4, 2026).
- U.S. FDA, SLR Food Distribution Inc. Recalls Wise Wife Brand Ground Cinnamon Due to Elevated Lead Levels (October 29, 2026).
- Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, DCP Food Sampling of Ground Cinnamon Initiates Multistate Recall Due to Elevated Lead Levels (2026).
- U.S. FDA, Investigation of Elevated Lead & Chromium Levels: Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (November 2023).
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lead and Chromium Poisoning Outbreak Linked to Cinnamon Applesauce Pouches (reviewed August 25, 2026).