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Galil Importing Corp is recalling Lior brand Ground Cinnamon Seasoning after elevated lead levels were identified, according to FDA recall records. Consumers are advised to stop using the product and check recall notices for specific product details.
Galil Importing Corp is recalling Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning due to elevated lead levels, according to a recall listing published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The recall affects a ground cinnamon product distributed in the United States, and consumers who have the seasoning in their kitchens are being told to stop using it. Exposure to lead, even in small amounts, is a recognized health risk, particularly for children and pregnant people, which is why food recalls tied to heavy metals draw prompt regulatory action.
The recall was initiated after testing indicated that the cinnamon contained elevated levels of lead, a heavy metal that is not safe for human consumption at any measurable amount according to public health authorities. The FDA lists the recalling firm as Galil Importing Corp., and the affected product is sold under the Lior brand as Ground Cinnamon Seasoning. The exact lead concentration detected, the testing method used, and who performed the initial testing have not been confirmed in the summary recall record available at the time of writing.
Recalls of this type are typically conducted either at the firm’s discretion or at the FDA’s request. The regulatory classification — whether this recall is designated Class I, II, or III based on the severity of the health hazard — was not immediately clear from the available listing. Lead contamination in spices has historically been treated seriously by regulators because it is frequently classified as a higher-risk contaminant, and cinnamon specifically has been the subject of multiple recalls and import alerts in recent years.
It is also not yet confirmed how many units of the product were distributed, over what time period, or to which retailers and states. Consumers who purchased Lior Ground Cinnamon are advised to check the FDA’s recall database or the company’s announcements for lot codes, package sizes, expiration dates, and images of the affected packaging, since these identifiers are how consumers can determine whether their specific jar is included.
Why Lead in Cinnamon Raises Alarms
Lead is a cumulative toxicant, meaning it builds up in the body over time with repeated exposure. Established guidance from agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) states that there is no known safe level of lead exposure. Children are considered especially vulnerable because lead exposure can affect neurological development, and pregnant people can pass lead to a developing fetus. Because cinnamon is used in small, repeated amounts — often daily in baked goods, desserts, and beverages — even modest contamination per serving can add up to meaningful cumulative intake over time.
The recall also matters because it fits a broader, well-documented pattern. Ground cinnamon has been the subject of several lead-related recalls and FDA safety alerts in recent years, often involving products imported from regions where cinnamon may become contaminated through soil, processing equipment, or, in some documented cases, deliberate adulteration with lead-based pigments. Each new recall renews scrutiny of how spices are tested at import and how contaminated lots reach store shelves.
A Pattern of Cinnamon Lead Recalls
Lead contamination in cinnamon is an established food-safety concern in the United States. In 2023 and 2024, the FDA issued public health alerts after elevated lead levels in cinnamon products — most prominently in certain apple sauce pouches and in bulk cinnamon sold in discount stores — led to recalls and reports of elevated blood lead levels in consumers, including children. Those incidents prompted the FDA to increase targeted testing of cinnamon imports and, in some cases, to place suppliers on import alert, which allows regulators to detain shipments at the border.
Galil Importing Corp is a food importer and distributor whose product lines include Middle Eastern and Mediterranean grocery items; the Lior brand appears on a range of seasonings and packaged foods. Against the backdrop of the earlier cinnamon-related lead episodes, a new recall from an importer of this kind is consistent with the heightened monitoring environment regulators and the industry have operated in since those events.
What the Recall Notice Doesn’t Say Yet
Several key details remain unconfirmed. The lead concentration detected in the cinnamon has not been specified in the available recall summary, nor has the recall classification (Class I, II, or III) that the FDA assigns based on health hazard severity. The lot codes, package sizes, best-by dates, distribution volumes, and affected states or retailers have not been fully detailed in the material available at the time of writing.
It is also unclear whether any illnesses or elevated blood lead levels have been reported in connection with this specific product, and whether the recall was initiated voluntarily by Galil Importing Corp or at the FDA’s request. The origin of the cinnamon — where it was grown or milled — has not been disclosed. Consumers should rely on the full FDA recall entry and any company statement for these specifics as they are published.
Steps for Consumers and Expected Follow-Up
Consumers who have Lior Ground Cinnamon at home should stop using the product immediately, check the FDA recall database or the company’s announcement for lot codes and packaging details, and follow the company’s instructions on returning or discarding the product. Anyone concerned about potential lead exposure — particularly parents of young children who consumed the spice regularly — should contact a healthcare provider, who can order a simple blood lead test if warranted. Medical decisions should always be made with a qualified professional.
In the coming days, expect the FDA’s recall entry to be updated with a full press release, product photographs, distribution information, and a recall classification. Galil Importing Corp may issue its own consumer notice, and retailers will likely pull the affected product from shelves and online listings. If testing points to a specific supplier or shipment origin, further regulatory action such as import alerts could follow.
Key Questions
Which cinnamon product is being recalled?
According to the FDA recall listing, the affected product is Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning distributed by Galil Importing Corp. Specific lot codes, package sizes, and best-by dates should be confirmed on the official FDA recall entry before assuming a particular jar is included.
Is it dangerous to have used this cinnamon?
Lead exposure is a recognized health risk, especially for children and pregnant people, and health authorities such as the CDC and WHO state there is no known safe level of lead exposure. However, risk depends on how much was consumed and how often. If you are concerned about exposure, speak with a healthcare provider, who can determine whether a blood lead test is appropriate. This article is not medical advice.
What should I do if I bought the recalled cinnamon?
Stop using it, check the FDA recall notice or the company’s announcement to match your product’s lot code and packaging, and follow the stated return or disposal instructions. Do not consume the remaining product.
Why does cinnamon keep showing up in lead recalls?
Ground cinnamon has been the subject of multiple lead-related recalls in recent years. Contamination can occur through lead in soil, processing and grinding equipment, or — in documented cases — adulteration with lead-based pigments. Because cinnamon is used frequently and in small amounts, regulators treat even low-level contamination as a cumulative exposure concern.
Has anyone gotten sick from this product?
That is not confirmed. The available recall information does not state whether any illnesses or elevated blood lead levels have been reported in connection with this recall. Updates, if any, would appear in the FDA’s recall entry.
Source: primary
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