Galil Importing Corp. of Hauppauge, NY, is recalling Lior Cinnamon Ground Seasoning sold across six states after Maryland Department of Health testing found elevated lead levels in the product.

The affected product carries UPC 794711005484 and lot code GAP11304, printed on the side of the container under the ingredient line. It ships in 90 g transparent plastic containers, packed six units per case.

Distribution ran from Nov. 18, 2025, to Sept. 7, 2026, reaching retail stores, grocery stores, delis and supermarkets in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida and Illinois. No illnesses have been reported to date.

What does this change for operators and retailers?

Galil has told customers to stop distribution and sale of the affected lot and to place remaining inventory on hold. The company has begun a supplier investigation and implemented enhanced testing and supplier verification measures to prevent a recurrence.

For operators holding the GAP11304 lot, the practical question is inventory: pull it now, hold it, and coordinate with Galil on return or disposal. Consumers who bought the product should discard it or return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

Why lead in spices draws regulatory scrutiny

The recall follows a sample collected and analyzed by the Maryland Department of Health, which revealed the elevated lead levels. State-level sampling, not internal quality checks, caught the contamination.

Lead exposure carries uneven risk. Short-term exposure to very low levels may produce no symptoms at all; increased blood lead levels may be the only apparent sign. Higher-level acute exposure or chronic exposure is more likely to produce additional symptoms.

Children face the sharpest hazard. If a child is exposed to enough lead for weeks to months, permanent damage to the central nervous system may occur, resulting in learning disorders, developmental defects and other long-term health problems. Lead can affect nearly every bodily system, and its effects depend on the amount and duration of exposure as well as age and body weight.

The Lior recall is the latest in a pattern of lead contamination in ground spices, a category where supply chains run through multiple intermediaries before reaching U.S. importers. Galil's response — supplier investigation plus enhanced testing and supplier verification — signals where importer-side controls are heading.

Operators sourcing ground spices through import channels should expect more state sampling and tighter supplier verification requirements ahead.