Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Colonna Marcum Ground Cinnamon & Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon recall: Elevated Lead Levels

Recall published 2+ years ago

Elevated Lead Levels

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
March 6, 2024
Risk level
Elevated risk
Issued by
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Brand
Colonna
Product type
Other food products
Distribution
Nationwide
Reports of harm
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with these products.

Products covered by this recall

Marcum Ground Cinnamon & Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon

What the company announced

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 6, 2024 - Colonna Brothers of North Bergen, NJ is recalling its 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon & 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon because of a possible health risk due to elevated lead levels. 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 with acute exposure to higher levels of lead or chronic exposure to lead. The 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.

The Cinnamon was distributed nationwide through retail stores and mail order. The products come in a clear plastic jar labeled with either “Marcum Cinnamon Ground 1.5oz” or “Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon 2.25oz”. Only the following lot codes (found on the jar above the label - below the cap) were affected:

  • 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon: 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon · Best By:10/16/25 10DB: Best By: 04/06/25 0400B1
  • 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon: 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon · Best By:10/16/25 10DB: 09/29/25 09E8
  • 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon: 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon · Best By:10/16/25 10DB: 04/17/25 04E11
  • 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon: 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon · Best By:10/16/25 10DB: 12/19/25 12C2
  • 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon: 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon · Best By:10/16/25 10DB: 04/12/25 04ECB12
  • 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon: 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon · Best By:10/16/25 10DB: 08/24/25 08A
  • 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon: 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon · Best By:10/16/25 10DB: 04/21/25 04E5
  • 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon: 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon · Best By:10/16/25 10DB: 09/22/2025 09E20

No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with these products.

The recall was the result of a targeted sampling program of discount brands by the FDA, following heightened sensitivity around Cinnamon. Colonna Brothers is participating in this recall voluntarily as requested by the FDA. Colonna Brother’s has not violated any Federal guidelines/legislation/laws regarding levels of lead in Cinnamon/Spice nor any protocols requiring testing for heavy metals. The FDA is stating that the lot codes above contain elevated levels of lead that the FDA deems a potential health risk.

Colonna Brothers has voluntarily ceased the production and distribution of all Cinnamon.

Consumers who have purchased the Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon or Marcum Ground Cinnamon, with the lot codes listed above , can discard it or return it to the store for a full refund. Anyone concerned they may have been exposed to lead, should contact their healthcare provider to report their symptoms. Consumers with questions may contact us at 201-864-1115 between the hours of 9-5 EST.

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

Best-by / use-by date

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

  • 10/16/25 10DB
  • 04/06/25 0400B1. 1.5oz
  • 10/16/25 10DB 09/22/2025 09E20

Package size

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

  • 1.5 oz
  • 2.25 oz

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

Colonna — 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. Do not sand, scrape, burn or break the item up; that turns a contained hazard into dust you can breathe.
  3. Follow the remedy on this page — lead recalls almost always carry a full refund.
  4. Wash the hands of anyone who has been handling it, and wipe down the surfaces it has been sitting on.

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.
  • A replacement is usually the current model, not the recalled one. Confirm the replacement is not itself under recall.
  • Several recalls now ask you to destroy the item and send a photo as proof. Register the claim before you do that, never after.
  • Return shipping is the company’s cost. If you are asked to pay it, push back.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased the Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon or Marcum Ground Cinnamon, with the lot codes listed above , can discard it or return it to the store for a full refund.

Company contact: Colonna Brothers, Inc. — Consumers: 201-864-1115

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 Colonna other food products recalled?

Elevated Lead Levels 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: best-by date 10/16/25 10DB or 04/06/25 0400B1. 1.5oz. 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: Consumers who have purchased the Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon or Marcum Ground Cinnamon, with the lot codes listed above , can discard it or return it to the store for a full refund.

Where was the recalled product sold?

It was distributed nationwide.

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