Ceremonial Cacao Paste Recalled for Elevated Lead Levels
Heart of the Earth ceremonial cacao paste is being recalled due to elevated lead levels in the product. Consumers should not consume this product and should contact a healthcare provider if they have concerns.
The agency’s classification
FDA (Food): Class II
Class II is a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.
This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 3/5 (High).
Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.
Our severity reasoning: This is an FDA Class II recall involving elevated lead contamination in a food product. Although no illnesses have been reported, lead is a known neurotoxicant with demonstrated risk of harm to consumers, particularly children and pregnant women.
Plain-English summary
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a recall of Heart of the Earth (HOTE) 100% Pure Ceremonial Cacao Pre-Ground Paste manufactured by Inner Waymark LLC. The product was distributed to fifteen states: California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin.
Testing identified elevated lead levels of 0.671 ppm in the cacao. This product is a whole-cacao preparation intended to be mixed with hot water to create a beverage and is not meant to be consumed as-is.
Consumers who have purchased this product—specifically Lot #506 with a "best by" date of June 18, 2026—should not consume it. Anyone who has consumed this product and has health concerns should contact a healthcare provider. The product comes in 16 oz (454g) packages with SKU PC-GRUCCP-1LB and was distributed by Soul Lift Cacao of Portland, Oregon.
The recalled product
- Product
- Heart of the Earth (HOTE) 100% Pure Ceremonial Cacao Pre-Ground Paste. Net Wt. 16oz (454g). Packaged in Kraft paper heat sealed stand-up pouch bags with inner plastic liner with SKU PC-GRUCCP-1LB. Product of Guatemala. Distributed Soul Lift Cacao of Portland, Oregon. The…
- Manufacturer
- Inner Waymark LLC
- Category
- Food — Cacao Paste
- Hazard
Is your product affected?
Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.
Lot numbers (2)
- Lot #506 with "best by" date June 18
- 2026.
Distribution
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