BVI Warns of Recalled Cinnamon Seasoning
The Environmental Health Division has issued a public health advisory regarding an active recall of Lior Gourmet Spices Cinnamon Ground Seasoning due to elevated lead levels. Local consumers, retailers, and food establishments are urged to check their supplies and discard any affected products immediately.
The Environmental Health Division within the Ministry of Health and Social Development has issued an advisory to residents and local food businesses regarding an active recall of Lior Gourmet Spices Cinnamon Ground Seasoning due to elevated levels of lead. The recall was originally initiated in the United States by Galil Importing Corp. of Hauppauge, New York, following regulatory testing conducted by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that detected concerning concentrations of lead in the product. The item under recall is packaged in a clear 90-gram (3.2-ounce) plastic container and bears the UPC 794711005484 along with Lot Code GAP11304. Distribution channels in the United States included Florida, New York, and New Jersey—regions that serve as primary supply hubs for imported goods entering the British Virgin Islands.
Health officials emphasize that lead exposure poses serious health hazards, particularly when consumed repeatedly over time. Young children and pregnant women face the highest risk of adverse health outcomes from lead toxicity, which can impact neurological development and overall physical health.
Although the Environmental Health Division has not confirmed the presence of the affected cinnamon in local establishments, the advisory has been issued as a precautionary measure given the Territory's strong reliance on imported food products. Wholesalers, grocery stores, restaurants, and private households are urged to inspect their shelves, pantries, and storage facilities for the specified lot code.
Consumers and commercial food operators in possession of the recalled seasoning are instructed not to eat, sell, serve, or cook with the product. Anyone who finds the item should remove it from circulation immediately, dispose of it safely, or return it to the point of purchase. Residents and business operators seeking further details or wishing to report the presence of the recalled product in the Territory can reach the Environmental Health Division by telephone at (284) 468-5110 or via email at ehd@gov.vg.
Primary source: BVI Government