Elevated risk U.S. Food and Drug Administration

La Fiesta Ground Cinnamon recall: Potential Metal Contaminant - Lead

Recall published 2+ years ago

Potential Metal Contaminant - Lead

The hazard: Lead or heavy metal content

This product was recalled over lead content above the federal limit, which is a chronic-exposure hazard rather than a one-off emergency.

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
La Fiesta
Product type
Other food products
Distribution
Arizona, California, Texas, Washington
UPC codes
032327000449
Reports of harm
There have been no reports of illnesses to date.

Products covered by this recall

Ground Cinnamon

What the company announced

03/06/2024, La Fiesta Food Products, La Mirada California is recalling Cinnamon Ground .87oz because it has the potential to be contaminated with 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 with 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.

Lead is a toxic substance present in our environment in small amounts and everyone is exposed to some lead from daily actions such as inhaling dust, eating food, or drinking water. Exposure to larger amounts of lead can cause lead poisoning. While lead can affect nearly every bodily system, its effects depend upon the amount of and duration of lead exposure and age of the person exposed.

The affected product was distributed in California as well as Arizona, Washington, and Texas through distributors to retail stores from April 20, 2023 through May 3, 2023.

The impacted Cinnamon Ground products are identified below:

La Fiesta Brand Cinnamon Ground .87oz UPC#032327000449

La Fiesta Food Products became aware of the issue after the FDA collected samples of the product and lab analysis revealed elevated concentrations of lead. There have been no reports of illnesses to date. There have been no reports of illnesses to date.

Consumers who have purchased this product are advised to dispose of it or return to place of purchase for refund. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. Consumers with questions can contact 408-326-0487 or [email protected], Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm PST.

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 1 code 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.

  • 032327000449

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

La Fiesta — This product was recalled over lead content above the federal limit, which is a chronic-exposure hazard rather than a one-off emergency.

  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.

Claiming your refund, repair or replacement

The recalling company decides the remedy and funds it. You should never pay for a recall repair or for return shipping.

  • Use the company contact on this page first. Most firms run a dedicated recall page with a claim form that is far quicker than their main support line.
  • No receipt? Say so. Recall refunds are routinely paid without proof of purchase, because the hazard is what triggers the obligation.
  • If you bought it from a retailer rather than the brand, try both. Target, Walmart and Amazon often refund recalled goods from the order history.
  • If the company stops responding, escalate to the CPSC. Firms under a recall order have reporting duties to the agency.

Remedy named in the notice: Consumers who have purchased this product are advised to dispose of it or return to place of purchase for refund.

Company contact: La Fiesta Food Products — Consumers: 408-326-0487, [email protected]

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 La Fiesta 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 032327000449. 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 this product are advised to dispose of it or return to place of purchase for refund.

Which states were affected?

The notice lists Arizona, California, Texas, Washington.

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