FDA Expands Spice Recall – Products Sold in Louisiana

(KMDL-FM) Spices, we know a thing or two about those in Louisiana. We also know that when the Food and Drug Administration gets involved in a food product, you'd better pay attention. This time, the FDA is warning us about even more popular spices that have been recalled.

The original FDA recall went out in 2024 after several state departments of health reported issues with samples taken of certain spices at retail establishments. At first, the recall was limited to just a few products. Over time, that recall has expanded.

READ MORE: Rice Recalled - What Louisiana Families Need to Know

READ MORE: Cajun-Style Meats Recalled - Here's the List

The reason for the recall is lead contamination. Several of the recalled product samples indicated the presence of the metal. Lead poisoning has been connected to developmental delays and learning difficulties in children. Overexposure to lead can also increase the likelihood of seizures, abdominal pains, vomiting, and hearing loss.

Get our free mobile app

Why Is the FDA Urgently Recalling Spices?

Although health concerns are the primary reason for the recall, the reason for the urgency in bringing it to your attention has to do with the time of year. We are quickly moving into the holiday season in Louisiana. The holidays mean a lot of cooking.

And in Louisiana, that means using more than our fair share of spices. However, the one spice you really need to be cognizant of using is cinnamon. Cinnamon is a key ingredient in a lot of holiday treats, coffees, and even casseroles and pies.

Which Brands of Cinnamon Are Recalled By The FDA?

According to the FDA, there are 16 brands of cinnamon that you should not be using out of concerns for lead contamination. Those brands of cinnamon are:

• Roshni
• HAETAE
• Durra
• Wise Wife
• Jiva Organics
• Super Brand
• Asli
• El Chilar
• Marcum
• SWAD
• Supreme Tradition
• Compania Indillor Orientale
• ALB Flavor
• Shahzada
• Spice Class
• La Frontera

The FDA has reached out to these brands on your behalf and asked them to voluntarily recall affected products. According to reports, the distributors of HAETAE brand cinnamon have not been reached, so those products might still be available in the consumer markets. If it is, don't buy it until the recall has been cleared.

Another concern of FDA administrators is the long shelf life of this particular spice. I bet the jar of cinnamon we have at our house is at least three years old. Please check your pantry, and if you have any of these products, do not use them.

You can visit the Industry and Consumer Assistance Website if you have further questions or are having issues getting a replacement product or a refund for the recalled products.