close
close

Association-anemone

Bite-sized brilliance in every update

    • Where does cinnamon come from?
    asane

    Where does cinnamon come from?

    Online Niel Posted on

    play

    Lead has been found in several popular brands of cinnamon. Is it the bane of your fall recipes?

    Consumer Reportsa nonprofit organization that helps consumers evaluate the safety and performance of goods, recently found high levels of lead in cinnamon powder and multi-spice powders from 12 brands — including Paras, EGN, Mimi’s Products, Bowl & Basket, Rani Brand, Zara Foods, Three Rivers, Yu Yee Brand, BaiLiFeng, Spicy King, Badia and Deep.

    Ground cinnamon powders and spice mixes tested by Consumer Reports showed lead levels above 1 part per million (ppm), which is a level used by New York state to indicate products that should be recalled, according to the nonprofit. Food safety experts at Consumer Reports advised people to “avoid those products.”

    What does this mean to you?

    “The recent reports of lead contamination in cinnamon are certainly concerning, but the good news is that not all brands are affected and it appears to be only ground cinnamon,” said a Washington, DC dietitian. Caroline Thomason, RD, CDCESsays USA TODAY.

    Here’s what experts want you to know about the origins of cinnamon and how you can stay safe while enjoying the fall flavors.

    Where does cinnamon come from?

    Cinnamon consists of the dried inner bark of a type of evergreen tree, according to Britannica. It is native to Sri Lanka, Myanmar and part of India and is also cultivated in South America and the West Indies. The type of ground cinnamon you buy in a grocery store is made by cleaning the bark, drying it, and then grinding it into a powder.

    Is nutmeg good for you? Maybe, but be careful not to eat too much.

    What are the health benefits of cinnamon?

    Some research has shown that cinnamon has anti-inflammatory properties and that it lowers high blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood sugar—especially helpful for those with type 2 diabetes. But Johns Hopkins Medicine points out that while it’s useful for those with a sweet tooth to get a tasty treat without adding sugar, cinnamon isn’t so strong that it could replace diabetes medication or a carb-controlled diet.

    “Cinnamon (is) like a cozy fall blanket for your food,” says Thomason, adding that it can add “a little heat to oats, smoothies, and roasted vegetables—seriously, try it on sweet potatoes.”

    Is cinnamon safe?

    According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prolonged exposure to products with high levels of lead “may be unsafe and could contribute to elevated blood lead levels. In the long term, symptoms may include high blood pressure, joints. and muscle pain, headache, abdominal pain, memory problems, mood disorders and reproductive problems, according to Mayo Clinic. Children under 6 are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning. Their symptoms can include learning and developmental problems, weight loss, fatigue, stomach problems, hearing loss and seizures.

    When shopping for cinnamon coffee cake or pumpkin pie recipes this fall, Thomason recommends sticking to cinnamon brands that test for heavy metals or have been deemed safe by a reputable third party.

    Is cinnamon good for you? Understand the health benefits of this popular fall spice.

    “It doesn’t negate the benefits of cinnamon, but it’s a reminder to be cautious about the sources of our spices,” says Thomason. “The best approach is to be careful where your cinnamon comes from and go for trusted, high-quality brands. While the health benefits of cinnamon…are well known, you don’t want to overlook potential contaminants.”

    Consumer Reports also found some cinnamon and spice products from brands that were deemed safe after testing for lead content. Some of the brands and products include:

    • McCormick Cinnamon (0.23 ppm)
    • Kirkland Signature Organic Saigon Cinnamon (0.80 ppm)
    • Great Value Ground Cinnamon (0.79 ppm)
    • Trader Joe’s Organic Ground Cinnamon (0.69 ppm)
    • Good & Gather Ground Cinnamon (0.56 ppm)
    • Simply Organic Cinnamon (0.28 ppm)
    • 365 Whole Foods Market Ground Cinnamon (0.12 ppm)
    • 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Ground Cinnamon (0.02 ppm)
    • Sadaf Cinnamon Powder (0.04 ppm)

    Contributed by: Jonathan Limehouse

    Online Niel
    View all posts

    You Might Also Like