Badia Spices Class Action: Cinnamon Contaminated with Lead

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit claims Badia Spices sold cinnamon powder contaminated with lead, putting consumers at risk. 

Consumers Affected: Consumers who purchased Badia Cinnamon Powder.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Badia Spices, a major spice manufacturer, is being sued for allegedly selling cinnamon powder containing harmful levels of lead without disclosing its risk to consumers—and it’s not the first company to face such allegations. 

The lawsuit claims that Badia misled shoppers by marketing its cinnamon as safe for consumption despite testing that revealed lead levels exceeding New York’s legal limit of one part per million. The lawsuit argues that the lack of warning labels on the product misrepresented its safety, and that Badia knew of the alleged contamination and should have done better by consumers.

Consumer Claims Badia Cinnamon Contains Lead

New York resident Antonia Gittens filed the proposed class action lawsuit after she bought Badia Cinnamon Powder at a ShopRite store in Mohegan Lake in summer. She says in the lawsuit product packaging made no mention of lead contamination or associated risks. Like other consumers, she said she relied on the descriptions on the packaging, which said the product was a safe cooking ingredient.

Unaware of the contamination, Gittens used the cinnamon powder but argues that after learning of the lead content the product is worthless to her and that she suffered financial harm by purchasing it under false pretenses.

Lead Contamination Poses Health Risks

Lead exposure, even in small amounts, poses serious health risks. For adults, it can lead to nervous system damage, hypertension, kidney problems, and reproductive issues. Children are particularly vulnerable, as lead exposure can cause irreversible damage to the central nervous system, impairing learning and development.

Health authorities, including New York State, enforce strict regulations on lead levels in food products. Spices exceeding one part per million of lead are subject to recalls, as even minimal exposure can have long-term health consequences.

According to public health experts cited in the lawsuit, there is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects, and Consumer Reports and the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets both found that Badia’s cinnamon powder exceeded these limits, triggering health alerts.

Badia Accused of Ignoring Lead Warnings

The lawsuit alleges that Badia was aware of the contamination. In June, the New York State Department of Agriculture issued an alert warning consumers about lead in Badia’s Ground Cinnamon and Ginger products. Testing by the New York State Food Laboratory confirmed lead levels exceeding legal limits. 

A subsequent Consumer Reports study named Badia’s cinnamon among the products posing the highest risk, advising consumers to avoid it. Despite these findings, the lawsuit claims Badia failed to take adequate steps to address the issue or warn customers.

Other Companies Face Contamination Lawsuits

Badia is not alone in facing legal action over alleged toxic contamination. Retailer Dollar Tree and spice maker Colonna were recently sued for lead contamination in Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon.

Beyond lead, other lawsuits highlight concerns about toxic substances in food products. Hershey’s Bubble Yum gum and Health-Ade kombucha have been targeted for alleged PFAS contamination, while General Mills and Walmart face lawsuits over undisclosed pesticides and arsenic in Cheerios and apple juice, respectively.

In the Badia class action lawsuit, Gittens wants to represent a nationwide class of consumers in her claims the company violated New York business laws as well as breaching warranty. She is seeking damages, restitution, Rescission, injunctive relief, fees, costs, and interest.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Gittens v. Badia Spices, Inc.
• Case Number: 7:24-cv-07965-PMH 
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Christin K. Cho (Dovel & Luner, LLP)

Do you use Badia Spices? What are your thoughts on the lawsuit's allegations? Share your opinion in the comments below.