Ground cinnamon recalled in NC over lead risk. Here’s what to know

A brand of ground cinnamon sold at retailers across North Carolina could be contaminated with lead, prompting a recall, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

TBC Distribution Corporate has recalled its Lucky Foods brand cinnamon powder due to the “potential to be contaminated with elevated levels of lead,” the FDA said in a Tuesday, Dec. 9 news release.

The recall involves 40-gram bags of ground cinnamon with a “best before” date of Sept. 15, 2027, officials said. Affected spices were packaged in “a vacuum or modified atmosphere” and have a brown label.

Where was recalled cinnamon sold?

Officials said the Lucky Foods brand cinnamon was distributed to grocery stores, supermarkets, bakeries, restaurants and other retailers in 14 states including North Carolina between April 11 and Sept. 1. The FDA didn’t provide a list of specific retailers that carry the brand, however.

No illnesses have been reported as of Tuesday, Dec. 16. Federal officials advise customers not to use the tainted cinnamon and throw it away.

Consumers can contact TBC Distribution Corporate at 718-444-5556, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. ET, the FDA said.

This latest recall comes after the FDA recalled two other cinnamon brands, Devi and Haetae, in late October after testing showed elevated levels of lead.

What are the effects of lead exposure?

Lead is harmful to our health, even in small amounts, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

It’s a naturally-occurring metal, and humans are commonly exposed through old paint dust, contaminated soil and contaminated drinking water, experts said. Children younger than 6 are especially vulnerable to lead exposure due to “their tendency to place toys and other objects in their mouths that could contain lead or leaded dust.”

Exposure to lead can have a wide range of impacts on our health, including:

• Delays in cognitive performance, growth and puberty (in children)
• Nerve disorders
• Decreased kidney function
• Fertility issues

Recent food recalls in NC

Past food recalls in North Carolina this year include:

• Frozen waffles and shredded cheese in December
• Seafood sold at Costco in September
• Ripened cheese in August
• YoCrunch yogurt and chocolate chip cookies in July

This story was originally published December 16, 2025 at 4:26 PM.

Tanasia Kenney

Sun Herald

Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.