Badia Spices class action alleges cinnamon powder contains lead

Badia Spices class action overview: 

• Who: Plaintiff Antonia Gittens is suing Badia Spices.
• Why: Gittens alleges the company sold cinnamon that contains lead.
• Where: The cinnamon lead class action was filed in a New York federal court.

A cinnamon consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against Badia Spices accusing the company of selling cinnamon powder contaminated with dangerous levels of lead. 

Plaintiff Antonia Gittens filed the class action complaint against Badia Spices Inc. on Oct. 18 in a New York federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.

Gittens claims the company failed to warn consumers of the lead content in its ground cinnamon product, despite New York’s strict regulations on lead levels in spices.

Cinnamon lead contamination beyond safe limits, lawsuit alleges

According to health experts, lead is a toxic substance that can cause significant harm to both children and adults.

“There is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects,” the lawsuit says, citing the World Health Organization.

Lead exposure in children can lead to permanent damage to the central nervous system, while in adults it can cause high blood pressure, kidney damage, and cardiovascular issues.

Gittens alleges that Badia knowingly sold contaminated cinnamon powder without warning consumers. 

New York state regulates lead levels in spices, requiring recalls of any product containing more than 1 part per million of lead. Recent tests by Consumer Reports and the New York State Department of Agriculture found that Badia’s ground cinnamon exceeds this limit, the lawsuit states.

In June 2024, the New York Department of Agriculture issued a consumer alert warning of elevated lead levels in Badia’s cinnamon and ginger products. Badia’s products were also listed in a Consumer Reports study as among the cinnamon powders consumers should avoid due to high lead content, the lawsuit says.

As a result, the lawsuit seeks to represent all U.S. buyers of Badia cinnamon, excluding those in California. 

Gittens is suing for violations of New York business law and breach of warranty and is seeking certification of the class action, damages, fees, costs and a jury trial.

Badia Spices was hit with a lawsuit last year alleging it misrepresents its peppers as being unique New Mexico chilis when they are not.

What do you think of the allegations in this Badia Spices class action? Let us know in the comments. 

The plaintiff in the cinnamon lead lawsuit is represented by Christin K. Cho of Dovel & Luner LLP.

The Badia Spices class action is Antonia Gittens v. Badia Spices Inc., Case No. 7:24-cv-07965 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

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