FDA Advisory on Certain Cinnamon Products due to Elevated Lead Content

Posted on: March 8, 2024 - 11:54am

The East Hartford Health Department is advising residents to not consume and to throw away certain ground cinnamon products that have been found to contain elevated levels of lead. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) distributed an advisory regarding the contaminated cinnamon products on Wednesday, March 6th. The FDA is encouraging the distribution companies to voluntarily recall the contaminated products and for consumers to not consume it and throw out these products.

The specific brands affected include several that were sold at local retailers in and around East Hartford, including Supreme Tradition ground cinnamon sold at Family Dollar and Dollar Tree stores, Marcum brand cinnamon sold at Save A Lot stores, and Swad cinnamon powder sold by Patel Brothers. Residents are encouraged to check their homes and discard the affected products that include the following best by dates and lot numbers:

  • Marcum (sold at Save A Lot): 10/16/25 10DB, 04/06/25 0400B1
  • Swad (sold at Patel Brothers): KX21223 
  • Supreme Tradition (sold at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar): 09/29/25 09E8, 04/17/25  04E11, 12/19/25 12C2, 04/12/25 04ECB12, 08/24/25 08A_ _, 04/21/25 04E5, 04/21/25 04E5 

Please refer to the FDA advisory or the East Hartford Health Department webpage for images of the products. Advisories on product information will be updated if testing identifies additional products with elevated levels of lead.

Since ground cinnamon has a long shelf life, long term lead exposure to these contaminated products is of particular concern. Lead poisoning can cause a variety of adverse health effects depending on age, length of exposure, and other exposure to different sources of lead. Children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure. Adverse health effects can include brain damage, reduced attention span, learning disabilities, and developmental delays.

If any resident believes they or their family were exposed to lead, either from consumption of the contaminated cinnamon products or other sources, please talk to your healthcare provider. For additional information about lead poisoning, please refer to the East Hartford Health Department webpage. Residents can also call the health department at (860) 291-7324 to consult with a public health nurse regarding source of lead, symptoms, and testing recommendations.