Cinnamon from Dollar Tree and Family Dollar tested positive for high levels of lead, according to the FDA.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Dollar Tree Cinnamon induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with lead poisoning from cinnamon, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Family Dollar / Dollar Tree Cinnamon Recall
On March 6, 2024, Colonna Brothers issued a recall for 1.5-oz. Marcum Ground Cinnamon and 2.25-oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon due to elevated lead levels.
Supreme Tradition® Ground Cinnamon was sold at Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores nationwide. The recall involves the following lot codes and best-by dates:
- 09/29/25 09E8
- 04/17/25 04E11
- 12/19/25 12C2
- 04/12/25 04ECB12
- 08/24/25 08A
- 04/21/25 04E5
- 09/22/2025 09E20
FDA Warning: Cinnamon Sold at Discount Stores Tainted With Lead
In March 2024, several brands of ground cinnamon from discount stores in the U.S. tested positive for high levels of lead, according to a Safety Warning from the FDA.
How To Identify Recalled Cinnamon
The warnings include the following cinnamon products:
- Supreme Tradition® Cinnamon (Dollar Tree and Family Dollar stores)
- La Fiesta® Cinnamon (La Superior and Super Mercados)
- Marcum® Cinnamon (Save A Lot)
- MK® Cinnamon (SF Supermarket)
- Swad® Cinnamon (Patel Brothers)
- El Chilar® Cinnamon (La Joya Morelense)
What Happened?
The FDA launched a “targeted survey” of cinnamon from discount stores after at least 500 children got lead poisoning from cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches. Around 3 million applesauce pouches were recalled from WanaBana (Dollar Tree), Weis, Schnucks, and other stores.
In response, the FDA began testing ground cinnamon from other stores to check for lead contamination. Not surprisingly, several products tested positive for elevated levels of lead. The FDA warned consumers not to buy these cinnamon products, or throw them away.
Dollar Tree Cinnamon Tests Positive for Lead
The ground cinnamon contained lead levels of 2.03 to 3.4 parts per million (ppm), which is much lower than the recalled applesauce pouches, which had 2,270 ppm to 5,110 ppm of lead.
No illnesses were linked to the ground cinnamon in the FDA alert, but the agency warned that “prolonged exposure to these products may be unsafe.”
Lead Poisoning in Cinnamon
Lead is a toxic heavy metal. There is no “safe” level of lead for any humans, but children are most vulnerable to lead poisoning because of their smaller size and fast growth. Children with lead poisoning may have learning disabilities, lower IQ, behavior issues, slow growth and development, hearing and speech problems, and under-performance in school.
How Does Lead Get Into Cinnamon?
Lead chromate (“chrome yellow”) is sometimes illegally added to certain spices, such as cinnamon and turmeric, to increase their weight and enhance their color. This increases their monetary value.
Unfortunately, people who eat food with these contaminated spices may develop lead poisoning and also chromium poisoning. According to the FDA:
“If a child is exposed to enough lead for a protracted period of time (e.g., weeks to months) permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur. This can result in learning disorders, developmental defects, and other long-term health problems. For adults, chronic lead exposure is associated with kidney dysfunction, hypertension, and neurocognitive effects.”
Do I have a Dollar Tree Cinnamon Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Dollar Tree Cinnamon induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with lead poisoning from cinnamon, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Food Poisoning Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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