SLR Food Distribution Inc. of Hicksville, New York, is voluntarily recalling Wise Wife Brand Ground Cinnamon because it has the potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead. The company announced the recall on Oct. 29, 2026, after a sample collected and analyzed by The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station revealed elevated lead levels in the product.
Lead exposure can affect nearly every bodily system, with effects depending on the amount and duration of exposure, as well as an individual’s age and body weight, according to the recall notice. Short-term exposure to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms, while increased blood lead levels might be the only apparent sign. Additional signs and symptoms are more likely with acute exposure to higher levels or chronic exposure.
If a child is exposed to enough lead for a prolonged period, such as weeks or months, permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur. This exposure can result in learning disorders, developmental defects and other long-term health problems. SLR Food Distribution Inc. stated that no illnesses have been reported to date.
The cinnamon was distributed to retail and grocery stores across 14 states between Sept. 8, 2025, and June 28, 2026. The affected states are Connecticut, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The recalled spice is packaged in a 110-gram clear plastic container with a black screw-top cap. The best-before date is April 25, 2027, and the UPC 0688474302754 is printed on the back label.
SLR Food Distribution Inc. is notifying customers to stop the distribution and sale of the product and to remove it from store shelves. The company instructed retailers to place any remaining inventory on hold. Consumers were advised to either discard the cinnamon or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.