Cinnamon Spice Might Not Be Everything Nice
Topic # 105
Snickerdoodles, cinnamon rolls, pumpkin pies, and mulled cider are all things many of us look forward to during the holidays. What do they have in common? Cinnamon. Cinnamon is a spice made from the dried and ground inner bark of the cinnamon tree. It is a wonderful and warm spice but don’t skimp by buying off brands because they may contain unacceptable levels of lead.
The Food And Drug Administration published an alert regarding unsafe levels of lead in ground cinnamon1. It may have been triggered by a Consumer Report (CR) finding. CR tested cinnamon, and the results showed “high” levels of lead in 12 brands of the ground variety2. Results also showed that only ground cinnamon had lead, indicating that milling machinery is likely the source of contamination. In other words, it appears that unground cinnamon is safe regardless of the brand.
Lead is a cumulative poison. It builds over a lifetime. If someone consumes too much of it, they can develop a host of health problems. Therefore, you should purchase only brands known to be lead-free or those having very low levels. Consumer Reports listed several brands that were “Okay” to use and they are
• Abido Spices 7 mixes
• Good & Gather ground cinnamon
• Great Value ground cinnamon
• Happy Belly ground cinnamon
• Kirkland Signature organic Saigon cinnamon
• McCormick cinnamon
• Morton Bassett San Francisco ground cinnamon
• Natural Plus Green five spices powder
• Penzeys Ceylon cinnamon
• Penzeys ground cinnamon
• Penzeys Vietnamese Cinnamon
• Shan garam masala powder
• Simply Organic cinnamon
• The Spice Lab organic ground cinnamon
• Swad garman masala powder
• Trader Joe's organic ground cinnamon
• Wei-Chuan five spice powder
• Ziyad Brand premium seven spice blend.
CR also listed six brands that are “Best” to use and they are
• 365 Whole Foods Market Ground Cinnamon
• 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Ground Cinnamon
• Loisa Organic Cinnamon,
• Morton & Bassett San Francisco Organic Ground Cinnamon
• Sadaf Cinnamon Powder
• Sadaf Seven Spice Blend3.
You can see the complete list at https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-contaminants/high-lead-levels-in-cinnamon-powders-and-spice-mixtures-a4542246475/?srsltid=AfmBOoqL9S1-wc9H8CeMFFMsGSmm8xQRrmsvbjN1NWE4WzcFKp4lXi7X.
Enjoy your holidays. Embrace your traditions, including consuming those goodies you love so fondly. Simply do so safely. Be well.