Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

ALB Flavor Ground Cinnamon Powder recall: Potential Metal Contaminant - Lead

Recall published 2+ years ago

Potential Metal Contaminant - Lead

ALB Flavor Other food products — recalled other food productsALB Flavor Other food products — recalled other food products (photo 2)
2 photos published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration with the recall notice.

The hazard: Lead or heavy metal content

Lead is the reason for this notice. The important thing is removing the source and asking about a blood test, in that order.

What the notice says: It is possible that increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign of lead exposure.

Why it matters: The product exceeds the federal limit on lead or another heavy metal. Lead harms the developing brain, and the damage builds quietly from small repeated exposures rather than arriving as a single dramatic poisoning.

Symptoms and when to call a doctor

The CDC states there is no known safe level of lead in a child’s blood, and that most children with elevated levels show no symptoms at all. That is why a blood lead test, not a symptom check, is the way to find out. Ask your paediatrician about testing if a child has handled, mouthed or worn the product regularly. Where symptoms do appear they are non-specific — irritability, poor appetite, stomach pain, tiredness, constipation or a drop in attention and learning.

This page is general information, not medical advice. If you feel unwell, a clinician who can see you is the only person able to judge your case.

Recall details

Published
July 26, 2024
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
ALB Flavor
Product type
Other food products
Distribution
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York
UPC codes
5304000333362
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date.

Products covered by this recall

Ground Cinnamon Powder

What the company announced

ALB-USA Enterprises, Inc. of Bronx, NY is recalling ALB Flavor brand Cinnamon Powder, because it potentially contaminated with elevated levels of lead. Short-term exposures to very low levels of lead may not elicit any symptoms. It is possible that increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign of lead exposure. Additional signs and symptoms of lead exposure are more likely to be acute exposure to higher levels of lead or chronic exposure to lead. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount and duration of lead exposure and age/ body weight. 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.

ALB Flavor brand Ground Cinnamon was distributed to retailers located in New York, Connecticut, Michigan, and Massachusetts, between 12/15/2022 and 05/13/2024.

The product hasn’t been sold online.

The product is branded under the ALB FLAVOR name and is packaged in a plastic bag with a net weight of 100 grams. It features a brown carton packaging with an image of cinnamon powder and two cinnamon sticks centered at the bottom.

On the back, you'll find information about the product's origin, a description, a QR code for recipes, the UPC 5304000333362, the Best Before date of 30/08/2025, and the Lot number LA02.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

The recall was the result of an analysis conducted by the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) that revealed the product contained elevated levels of lead.

The company has ceased the importing and distribution of the product as the FDA and the company continue their investigation as to what caused the problem.

Customers who have purchased ALB FLAVOR Ground Cinnamon are urged to not consume the product and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the company at 917-922-5627/929-431-8505, Mon-Fri 8 am -4 pm.

Reproduced from the company announcement posted on fda.gov. Links and contact forms in the original are not repeated here; the official notice below has them.

Check your product

The notice names 4 codes you can read straight off the package. Type the one printed on yours and the list below narrows to it.

UPC / barcode

Read the twelve digits under the barcode on the package.

  • 5304000333362

Lot or batch code

Usually ink-stamped near the seam, the cap or the bottom of the pack.

  • LA02

Best-by / use-by date

Printed beside the lot code, not on the price sticker.

  • 30/08/2025

Package size

Match the net weight or the piece count on the front of the pack.

  • 100 grams

Codes are lifted verbatim from the FDA — Company recall announcements notice. A code that is missing here may still be covered — the official notice is the complete list.

What to do about Lead

ALB Flavor — Lead is the reason for this notice. The important thing is removing the source and asking about a blood test, in that order.

  1. Take the product away from children and stop using it — do not keep it for decoration where a child can reach it.
  2. Wash the hands of anyone who has been handling it, and wipe down the surfaces it has been sitting on.
  3. Ask your paediatrician whether a blood lead test is warranted, especially for a child under six or anyone pregnant.
  4. Do not sand, scrape, burn or break the item up; that turns a contained hazard into dust you can breathe.

How the remedy works

CPSC recalls specify one of three remedies, and which one you get is not negotiable — but how smoothly it goes often is.

  • A refund means the purchase price back, sometimes prorated by age for durable goods. Ask how they calculated it if the figure looks low.
  • Return shipping is the company’s cost. If you are asked to pay it, push back.
  • A repair kit is shipped free and is designed to be fitted at home; if you cannot fit it, ask whether they will arrange installation.
  • A replacement is usually the current model, not the recalled one. Confirm the replacement is not itself under recall.

Remedy named in the notice: Customers who have purchased ALB FLAVOR Ground Cinnamon are urged to not consume the product and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Company contact: ALB-USA ENTERPRISES — Consumers: ALB-USA ENTERPRISES, 917-922-5627/929-431-8505

The official notice

This page summarises a notice published by U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The agency notice is the authoritative version — read it before you act, and treat it as the final word if anything here looks different.

Open the FDA — Company recall announcements record U.S. Food and Drug Administration recalls

Questions people ask about this recall

Why was ALB Flavor other food products recalled?

Potential Metal Contaminant - Lead It is possible that increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign of lead exposure.

How do I know if I have the recalled product?

Match the codes printed on your package against the notice: UPC 5304000333362; lot code LA02; best-by date 30/08/2025. If the code on your package is not on that list, your unit is outside the recall.

What should I do with it right now?

Take the product away from children and stop using it — do not keep it for decoration where a child can reach it.

Can I get my money back?

The notice says: Customers who have purchased ALB FLAVOR Ground Cinnamon are urged to not consume the product and to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Connecticut, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York.

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