The Hidden Danger of Lead in Cinnamon

Cinnamon improves the taste of your morning oatmeal or latte. But did you know that cinnamon from the wrong brand silently damages your health?

Recent info on this topic has caused a lot of worries, specifically about lead levels of certain cinnamon brands.


Why does it matter? Lead has the potential to build up in your body gradually, even from minimal quantities. Some products have demonstrated dangerously high levels of lead, and surpassed safety limits.

In many situations, there is no need to panic, but it's a reminder to examine the products you use and think about transitioning to safer options.

Fortunately, not all cinnamon brands are impacted, and being knowledgeable can assist in preventing unnecessary exposure. With up-to-date info, you can still savor this favorite spice without any concerns.

 

The Risks and Causes of Lead Contamination

  • Lead occurs through two pathways: unintentional contamination and adulteration.

  • Unintentional contamination can happen during several stages. Cinnamon trees may absorb lead from the soil, especially in industrial areas. The equipment used in grinding and processing can also contribute.

  • Lead can be deliberately added to spices. Adulteration often aims to increase product weight and profit. Imported spice powders may be more susceptible to this practice due to varying regulations.

  • Look out for spices like cinnamon stick powder and spice blends. It's wise to check for information on lead levels, especially since heavy metals in food can pose health risks.

 

Why Lead in Cinnamon is a Problem

Many people love cinnamon. However, problems can arise if it contains lead. Being exposed to lead can have significant health consequences, particularly for children and expectant mothers. Exposure to lead can result in delays in development and other medical issues.

Unfortunately, some cinnamon products on the market have been found to contain worrying levels of lead. It can make its way into cinnamon through environmental contamination. Cinnamon trees absorb lead from the soil, which can then accumulate in the bark and the final spice product.

Spice blends, like garam masala, may also contain lead-contaminated cinnamon. The problem becomes significant when cinnamon is consumed regularly.

 

The 12 Worst-Performing Cinnamon Brands on Lead Levels

When you're selecting cinnamon, pay attention to the brands that have raised red flags regarding lead content.

 

Rank

Cinnamon Brand

Lead Level (ppm)

Notes

1

Paras

3.52

Significantly higher than safe limits

2

EGN

2.91

Lead concentration exceeded safe intake

3

Mimi's Products

2.03

Warning issued by food safety authorities

4

Bowl & Basket

1.82

Recalled due to high contamination

5

Rani Brand

1.39

Heavy metal contamination observed

6

Zara Foods

1.27

Exceeds acceptable lead levels for children

7

Three Rivers cinnamon stick powder

1.26

Found to be unsafe for daily consumption

8

Yu Yee Brand

1.25

Alerted consumers about lead levels

9

BaiLiFeng

1.15

Lead levels higher than industry standards

10

Spicy King

1.05

Consumers are advised to avoid

11

Badia

1.03

High lead content detected in tests

12

Deep

1.02

Still above the recommended limits

 

Note: These lead levels are measured in parts per million (ppm), and the recommended limit for lead in food products is generally no more than 1 ppm.

Brands like Paras Cinnamon Powder and EGN Cinnamon Powder have notably high lead levels. These products exceeded recommended safety levels, being among the top offenders for lead content.

Bowl & Basket Ground Cinnamon and Rani Brand Ground Cinnamon also made the list, marking them as brands to be cautious about. While lead is naturally occurring in the environment, amounts found in these spices highlighted significant risk.

Consider avoiding others such as Zara Foods Cinnamon Powder and Mimi's Products Ground Cinnamon, found with elevated lead levels in recent reports. It's crucial for your health to make informed choices regarding the spices you consume.

Brands like Badia Cinnamon Powder, Deep Cinnamon Powder, and others tested contained lead above safe thresholds. Keep these brands in mind when shopping for cinnamon to ensure your meals are both delicious and safe.

Being aware of these findings will help you make safer choices for your pantry, protecting your family's health without compromising on flavor. So when you're enjoying your next cinnamon-infused dish, you'll know you’ve made a choice that considers safety alongside taste.

Recommended Brands for Safe Cinnamon Consumption

To ensure you’re enjoying the benefits of cinnamon without worrying about harmful contaminants, consider choosing brands that have been tested and proven to contain low or undetectable levels of lead. Here are some safer alternatives:

 

Rank

Cinnamon Brand

Lead Level (ppm)

Notes

1

DRUERA

0.19-0.21

Druera provides organic options with impressive quality control. Harvests from July and September 2024 showed lead levels at just 0.21 and 0.19 ppm, respectively.

2

Simply Organic

<0.1

Organic, sustainably sourced

3

Sadaf cinnamon powder

<0.1

Tested for heavy metals and contaminants

4

McCormick Ground Cinnamon

<0.1

A popular brand with strict quality controls

5

365 by Whole Foods

<0.1

Affordable and safe, available nationwide

 

At DRUERA, we are pleased to attach our analytical reports, which show lead levels as


  • July 2024 harvest = 0.21 ppm

  • September 2024 harvest = 0.19 ppm

Please note that the FDA recommends Lead levels of less than 1, and DRUERA is pleased to be well below the recommended levels at 0.21 and 0.19 PPM, respectively.

We will continue monitoring our levels when each harvest comes in and hope to publish the results online. 

When choosing cinnamon, focusing on safety and quality is essential. There are brands known for their lower lead content, making them safer options for regular use. Simply Organic Cinnamon is a popular choice. It contains lead at a level of 0.28 ppm. You can safely consume up to three-quarters of a teaspoon daily.

McCormick Cinnamon seven spice blend is another reliable brand. With a lead content of 0.23 ppm, it allows up to one teaspoon of daily consumption.

365 Whole Foods Market Ground Cinnamon offers even lower levels, with 0.12 ppm. This brand supports up to two teaspoons per day.

Lastly, Natural Plus Green Five Spices Powder is included, though with higher lead levels of 0.35 ppm.


Why Ceylon Cinnamon is the Safer Choice

When you're making your mind about cinnamon selection, it is recommended to choose Ceylon instead of Cassia. One main factor is the reduced quantities of coumarin present in Ceylon cinnamon. High levels of coumarin have negative effects on your liver.

Ceylon cinnamon is regarded as higher quality. The taste is gentler and more subtle, making it more appealing to many individuals. Furthermore, it is an excellent complement to your everyday meals without presenting identical health dangers.

 

cinnamon, ceylon, spice

 

Given the recent worries regarding lead pollution in certain cinnamon products, it is good to know that trusted suppliers from Sri Lanka are at lower risk for this problem.

To get cinnamon of great quality, look for labels that say "Ceylon cinnamon" or "Cinnamomum verum." This will make sure that you receive a safer, high-quality spice. Explore specialty stores or browse online sources to discover genuine Ceylon cinnamon.

Using Ceylon cinnamon in your oatmeal or baked goods can be a wise choice for regular cinnamon users, as it can help prevent the risks that can come with other varieties.

 

How to Ensure You’re Getting Safe Cinnamon

  1. Ask Brands to Be Transparent About Lead Levels. Check if they provide information about lead levels.

  2. Buy from Reputable Brands. Stick with organic ground cinnamon brands that are committed to quality control and testing of their products.

  3. Use Ceylon Cinnamon. Opt for Ceylon over Cassia. This is a smart choice to minimize your exposure to lead and other potentially harmful substances.

  4. Stay Informed. Check for consumer reports from food and drug administration and independent testing organizations that regularly test spice products.

 

Final Thoughts

With careful food safety research, you are still sure to enjoy amazing cinnamon spices powder.

Feel free to explore the lead-tested, premium Ceylon cinnamon selection at DRUERA, where quality and purity are guaranteed. DRUERA tests for lead levels from every harvest and these results are published online so that consumers can have 100% confidence in DRUERA Ceylon Cinnamon products.

Give our great value ground cinnamon a try today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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