12 Brands of Cinnamon Powder To Avoid, And 6 You Can Use

Cinnamon is a beloved spice that adds flavor and aroma to various dishes and beverages. However, recent findings have revealed a concerning issue with some cinnamon powders—high levels of lead contamination. This poses a potential health risk, sparking alarm and prompting consumers to reevaluate their cinnamon choices. This is everything you need to know about the problem of lead contamination in certain cinnamon powders, as well as which brands are safe to consume and which to avoid.

All About Cinnamon Production

Cinnamon is a spice derived from the bark of several trees belonging to the Cinnamomum genus. It is known for its warm, sweet flavor and is often used in both sweet and savory dishes. Cinnamon powder is made by harvesting the inner bark of the cinnamon tree. The outer bark is removed, and the inner bark is then dried until it curls into the recognizable cinnamon sticks. These sticks are then ground into a fine powder, resulting in the commonly used cinnamon powder.

Lead in Cinnamon

Cinnamon is often grown in countries where the soil is contaminated with lead. This is because lead is a heavy metal that can be found naturally in soil, but it can also be added to soil through industrial pollution. When cinnamon trees are grown in these areas, they absorb the lead from the soil and it becomes part of their bark. The problem arises when this bark is ground into powder and used as an ingredient in food products.

The problem with some cinnamon powders

Lead contamination in cinnamon powders has become a pressing concern due to its potential adverse effects on health. Exposure to lead, even in trace amounts, can accumulate in the body over time, leading to serious health implications. The risk is particularly pronounced for children and pregnant individuals, as lead can impact development and cause a range of health issues. Additionally, adults are not immune to the negative effects of lead exposure, which can affect the immune system, reproductive health, kidney function, and blood pressure regulation. After an outbreak of lead poisoning in 500 children due to contaminated cinnamon, Consumer Reports tested 36 ground cinnamon products for their levels of lead. This is what they found. (1)

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12 Cinnamon Powder brands to avoid

As per the findings from Consumer Reports’ investigation on lead levels in cinnamon powders and spice blends, the following 12 products exhibited lead concentrations that raise significant health concerns:

1. Paras Cinnamon Powder: 3.52 ppm
2. EGN Cinnamon Powder: 2.91 ppm
3. Mimi’s Products Ground Cinnamon: 2.03 ppm
4. ShopRite Bowl & Basket Ground Cinnamon: 1.82 ppm
5. Rani Brand Ground Cinnamon: 1.39 ppm
6. Zara Foods Cinnamon Powder: 1.27 ppm
7. Three Rivers Cinnamon Stick Powder: 1.26 ppm
8. Yu Yee Brand Five Spice Powder: 1.25 ppm
9. BaiLiFeng Five Spice Powder: 1.15 ppm
10. Spicy King Five Spice Powder: 1.05 ppm
11. Badia Cinnamon Powder: 1.03 ppm
12. Deep Cinnamon Powder: 1.02 ppm

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Cinnamon that is Safe to Use

Despite the alarming findings, Consumer Reports also identified six cinnamon products that consumers can consider safe options. These brands all demonstrated lower lead levels based on their tests.

“These products demonstrate that it’s possible to produce cinnamon with no lead or extremely low levels,” said James Rogers, PhD, the director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports. (2)

These safe products are the following:

1. 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Ground Cinnamon: 0.02 ppm
2. Loisa Organic Cinnamon: 0.04 ppm
3. Morton & Bassett San Francisco 100% Organic Ground Cinnamon: 0.04 ppm
4. Sadaf Cinnamon Powder: 0.04 ppm
5. 365 Whole Foods Market Ground Cinnamon: 0.12 ppm
6. Sadaf Seven Spice: 0.15 ppm

The Bottom Line

The prevalence of lead contamination in certain cinnamon powders underscores the importance of conscientious consumer choices. By adhering to informed purchasing decisions and opting for cinnamon products with lower lead levels, individuals can mitigate the risk of exposure to harmful contaminants. Furthermore, both manufacturers and regulatory bodies must prioritize product safety and implement measures to address this critical issue, ensuring the availability of uncontaminated, health-conscious cinnamon options for consumers.

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