RECALL: Colonna Brothers, Inc. Issues an Updated Voluntary Recall for “1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon & 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon” Because of Possible Health Risk Due to Elevated Lead Levels
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Company Announcement Date:
July 30, 2024
FDA Publish Date:
July 31, 2024
Product Type:
Food & Beverages
Spices, Flavors & Salts
Contaminants
Reason for Announcement:
Potential Metal Contaminant – Lead
Company Name:
Colonna Brothers Inc.
Brand Name:
Marcum & Supreme Tradition
Product Description:
Ground cinnamon
Company Announcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 30, 2024 – Colonna Brothers of North Bergen, NJ is voluntarily 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”. The following lot codes have been added to the recall list as of 7-29-24 (found on the jar above the label – below the cap):
| 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon | Best By 12/05/25 12 D8 |
| 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon | Best By 12/05/25 12 D11 |
| 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon | 10/06/25 10A11 |
No illnesses have been confirmed to date in connection with these products.
The voluntary recall was recommended by the FDA following its targeted sampling of multiple different discount cinnamon brands from multiple different retail locations. Colonna Brothers is participating in this recall voluntarily as requested by the FDA. Colonna Brothers has not violated any Federal laws, regulations, and/or guidelines regarding levels of lead in cinnamon/spice, nor any protocols requiring testing for heavy metals in cinnamon/spice.
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.
Below are previously recalled codes that we voluntarily recalled on March 6th, 2024. These codes have already been removed from shelves at all stores.
| 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon | Best By:10/16/25 10DB |
| 1.5oz Marcum Ground Cinnamon | Best By: 04/06/25 0400B1 |
| 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon | 09/29/25 09E8 |
| 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon | 04/17/25 04E11 |
| 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon | 12/19/25 12C2 |
| 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon | 04/12/25 04ECB12 |
| 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon | 08/24/25 08A |
| 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon | 04/21/25 04E5 |
| 2.25oz Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon | 09/22/2025 09E20 |
Link to Original Press
Company Contact Information
Consumers:
201-864-1115
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* We believe that none of the product being recalled were processed or offered through the national office
* We strongly encourage you to notify your agencies within one business day from receipt of this notice.
* ALL cased and uncased inventories, both at the member level and agency level, need to be checked. This product may have entered member and agency warehouses through salvage, local donations, TEFAP, local purchases, retail pickups, food drives, or other avenues.
* For additional local details, please contact the Health Department(s) for the area(s) your food bank serves.
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About Feeding America Recall Notices
The Feeding America national office issues notifications of all national Class I and II recalls–those involving a health hazard situation in which there is reasonable probability that eating the food will cause health problems or death–and other recalls that may affect the safety of food supplied to network members.
The national office strongly encourages all member product solicitors, operations managers, and others involved in food and grocery distribution to regularly consult resources provided by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at http://www.fda.gov/opacom/7alerts.html, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fsis_Recalls/index.asp. Additionally, members can often receive information on national, state, and local recalls by contacting their local health departments.