Galil Importing Corp of Hauppauge, New York, is recalling Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning after a sample tested by the Maryland Department of Health came back with elevated lead, according to the company’s notice posted by the FDA on September 24, 2026. The cinnamon went to stores in six states between November 18, 2025 and September 7, 2026, so it has been on shelves for nearly 10 months.
If you have a 90 gram clear plastic container of Lior ground cinnamon at home, look on the side under the ingredient line for lot code GAP11304. If it matches, do not eat it. Throw it out or take it back to the store for a refund. That matters most if you shake cinnamon into your coffee or oatmeal every day, because lead does its harm through steady, repeated intake, not one sprinkle.
A match does not tell you that you have lead poisoning, and it is not a reason to panic about a jar you used once. Whether low, everyday exposures to something in your environment can affect the adult brain is a question a study on low air pollution levels looked at directly.
Key takeaways
- Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning, lot GAP11304, UPC 794711005484, is recalled for elevated lead.
- It was sold in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida and Illinois from November 2025 to September 2026.
- No illnesses have been reported. A state lab in Maryland caught it, not the importer.
What happened
The recalled product is Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning in a 90 g transparent plastic container, UPC 794711005484, lot code GAP11304. It was sold through retail stores, grocery stores, delis and supermarkets in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida and Illinois.
The company says the recall “was the result of a sample collected and analyzed by Maryland Department of Health (MDH).” Galil has told its customers to stop selling the product, says it has started an investigation of its supplier, and says it has added “enhanced testing and supplier verification measures to prevent a recurrence.” The recall also appears in eFoodAlert’s September 24 roundup.
No illnesses have been reported so far. Consumers with questions can call Galil Importing Corp at 1-516-496-7400, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern.
Dr. Kumar’s take
Most lead warnings are written with children in mind, and for good reason. The recall notice itself focuses on the risk of permanent nervous system damage in a child exposed for weeks to months. But lead is not only a children’s problem.
According to the CDC’s toxic substances agency (ATSDR), the nervous system is the main target for lead in adults as well as children, and long-term exposure can cause decreased learning, memory and attention. That is why a spice people use every day deserves more attention than a food eaten once in a while.
The second point is who found it. The importer’s own testing did not flag this cinnamon. A state health lab did. Galil says it has now added more testing, after the fact.
What it means for you
- Check your cabinet. Lior brand, 90 g clear container, lot GAP11304 on the side. If it matches, throw it out or return it.
- Daily users matter most. If you have been using this cinnamon every day for months and you are worried, ask your doctor whether a blood lead test makes sense for you. The FDA notice points out that a higher blood lead level may be the only sign of exposure.
- Do not overcorrect. This recall covers one brand and one lot. It is not a reason to stop eating cinnamon.
- Read package claims with care. Package claims can mislead, as a recent look at “healthy” food labels found.