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The FDA added Wise Wife brand ground cinnamon to its public health alert after Connecticut testing found elevated lead, bringing the alert to 21 products. SLR Food Distribution recalled containers with a best-before date of April 25, 2027, distributed to stores in 14 states. The FDA says it is reviewing more state test results; the alert does not establish that every product or lot from the brand is affected.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration added Wise Wife ground cinnamon to its public health alert after Connecticut laboratory testing found elevated lead, bringing the list to 21 products. Distributor SLR Food Distribution Inc. recalled the specified product, which was sent to retail and grocery stores in 14 states.
The affected cinnamon is identified by UPC 0688474302754 and a best-before date of April 25, 2027. It comes in a clear plastic container weighing 110 grams (3.88 ounces), with a black screw-top cap. The alert identifies a lead concentration of 2.118 parts per million in the sample collected by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station’s Department of Analytical Chemistry.
SLR Food Distribution said it recalled the product. Distribution records cited in the alert place it in stores in Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin, between September 8, 2025, and June 28, 2026. Consumers should use the UPC, date and package description to identify the affected item rather than assume all cinnamon is included.
The FDA’s list now covers products with reported lead concentrations ranging from 2.03 to 7.68 parts per million, according to the source report. The Wise Wife sample’s reported result is one entry in that broader list. The FDA says it is reviewing additional results from state partners and may update the alert if it finds more products with elevated lead and a potentially unsafe exposure.
Why the Cinnamon Alert Matters
Lead exposure can build through repeated consumption, and the FDA warns that eating the listed products could contribute to elevated lead levels in blood. The agency says the potential for harm depends on the amount of lead in the food, how much and how often a person consumes it, the duration of exposure, the consumer’s age, and exposure from other sources.
Babies and young children are particularly vulnerable, the FDA says, because of their smaller body size and rapid growth and development. High exposure during pregnancy, infancy or early childhood can cause neurological effects, including learning difficulties, behavioral problems and lower IQ. The FDA said its alert is intended to help protect people, including children, who may consume foods containing ground cinnamon.
The list’s reported concentrations are far below those reported for cinnamon in the WanaBana apple puree and applesauce products recalled in 2023, which contained 2,270 to 5,110 parts per million, according to the source report. That comparison does not make the products on the current alert risk-free: the FDA’s warning concerns potential contributions to exposure, especially over time and alongside other sources.
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How State Testing Expanded the List
The FDA said this is its third public health alert for ground cinnamon this year. The agency has been working with state partners to test products for lead and chromium after the 2023 recall of WanaBana cinnamon apple puree and applesauce products. Before that recall, the FDA asked states to prioritize testing ground cinnamon and other spices.
Some samples in the alert came from state testing through the Laboratory Flexible Funding Model, a cooperative program that supports investigations, monitoring and removal of adulterated foods from commerce. Arkansas, California, Maryland, Missouri, Connecticut and Virginia provided samples through that program; New York’s agriculture department also collected samples outside it. The Wise Wife sample was collected in Connecticut.
The FDA’s stated approach is to review results as states continue retail sampling. The agency says it will revise the alert if evidence indicates more products contain elevated lead and exposure could be unsafe. This means the current total reflects products identified in the alert so far, not a final assessment of every cinnamon product on sale.
“The FDA is taking the additional step in issuing a third public health alert this year for ground cinnamon to ensure the safety of ground cinnamon used in foods that are frequently consumed by babies and young children.”
— FDA public health alert, as quoted in Food Safety News
What Testing Has Not Settled
The FDA has not said how many additional test results remain under review or when it might issue another update. Its alert says state partners continue collecting samples and that the list may change if further results meet the agency’s criteria. The full scope of affected products is therefore still developing.
The information provided does not establish how many containers of the Wise Wife product were distributed, how many remain in stores or households, or whether anyone became ill from consuming it. The reported concentration comes from the tested sample; it should not be treated as a measurement of every container. The source material also does not specify a complete set of lot codes for this product beyond the UPC and best-before date.
The FDA describes possible health effects in relation to the amount and frequency of exposure, duration, age and other lead sources. No individual health outcome can be inferred from the product listing alone. Consumers with concerns about lead exposure or a child’s health can seek advice from a health professional.
Recall Checks and FDA Review
Consumers can compare any Wise Wife ground cinnamon they have with the 110-gram package, UPC 0688474302754, and April 25, 2027, best-before date. The specified product is subject to SLR Food Distribution’s recall. Consumers should follow the company’s recall instructions and avoid using the matching product while checking those instructions; the source material does not give refund or disposal details.
Retailers and distributors can use the same identifying information to check stock and recall records. The FDA says it is continuing to review results from state partners and will update the public health alert if additional products are identified as potentially unsafe. Any further additions or guidance will depend on those results and the agency’s assessment.
Key Questions
Which Wise Wife cinnamon product is included in the alert?
The alert identifies Wise Wife ground cinnamon in a 110-gram (3.88-ounce) clear plastic container with a black screw-top cap. Check for UPC 0688474302754 and a best-before date of April 25, 2027.
Where was the recalled product distributed?
SLR Food Distribution’s product was distributed to retail and grocery stores in 14 states: Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. The reported distribution period was September 8, 2025, through June 28, 2026.
What lead level was found in the Wise Wife sample?
The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station’s Department of Analytical Chemistry reported 2.118 parts per million of lead in the sample. That is a result for the tested sample, not a stated measurement of every container.
Does the alert mean all cinnamon is unsafe?
No. The alert names specific products found to have elevated lead. The FDA says it is reviewing more state test results, so the list could change, but the current alert does not say all cinnamon products are affected.
Why does the FDA emphasize risks to young children?
The FDA says babies and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead’s potential harmful effects because of their smaller bodies and rapid growth. High exposure during early development can cause neurological effects, including learning and behavioral difficulties and lower IQ.
Source: foodsafetynews.com
