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Cinnamon Tested for Glyphosate, Lead, & Cadmium — Buying Guide

Mamavation » Blog » Food | Mamavation » Cinnamon Tested for Glyphosate, Lead, & Cadmium — Buying Guide
Cinnamon Tested for Glyphosate, Lead, & Cadmium -- Buying Guide 4

April 23, 2024 //  by Leah Segedie

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Does your favorite cinnamon contain traces of the herbicide glyphosate or high amounts of lead or cadmium? This is the question Mamavation was trying to answer for our community when we sent several cinnamon products to an EPA-certified laboratory. After babies all over the country were lead poisoned from the cinnamon inside recalled baby food, our audience was notably concerned. Then after testing several cinnamon products, we have some good news and some bad news to share. You’ve trusted Mamavation to cover topics like safest salt products tested for lead and microplastics, safest cookware sans PFAS “forever chemicals,” and safest nut butters sans PFAS “forever chemicals,” now join us for our latest consumer study on cinnamon tested for glyphosate, lead, & cadmium.

Disclosure: This consumer study is released in partnership with Environmental Health News. Scientific reviews were performed by (1) Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University, (2) Linda S. Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar in Residence at Duke University, Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina, & Yale University, & (3) Scott Belcher, Associate Professor with the Center for Environmental & Health Effects of PFAS at North Carolina State University.  This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. Donations were provided by Mamavation community members. Note that Mamavation has only “spot-checked” the industry and thus we cannot make predictions about brands and products that were not tested in our EPA-certified laboratory. Products and manufacturing aides can change without notice so buyer beware. Affiliate links from this post are mostly to Amazon where Mamavation earns a small portion of that sale. Mamavation uses affiliate revenue and ad revenue from Mamavation.com to pay for testing and fund other consumer investigations in the future. You can also give a tax-deductible donation to our consumer studies here through Environmental Health Sciences. Thank you for supporting Mamavation!  Copyright © 2024 Mamavation — All Rights Reserved

Cinnamon and apples

Table of Contents

  • Mamavation’s EPA Laboratories Find Glyphosate, Lead, & Cadmium in Both Conventional & Organic Cinnamon
  • Health Impacts of Glyphosate, Lead, & Cadmium
    • Glyphosate
    • Lead
    • Cadmium
  • New Proposed FDA Lead & Cadmium Limits for Baby Food vs. California Prop. 65
  • How Does Glyphosate Get Into Organic Cinnamon Products?
  • Lead in Cinnamon in Baby Food Poisons Children
  • Additional Mamavation Consumer Studies For Your Family
  • Mamavation’s EPA-Certified Laboratory Results
    • Not Our Favorite Cinnamon
    • Better Cinnamon
    • Best Cinnamon

Mamavation’s EPA Laboratories Find Glyphosate, Lead, & Cadmium in Both Conventional & Organic Cinnamon

Mamavation’s EPA-certified laboratory tested for glyphosate, lead, & cadmium and found detections of all contaminants inside cinnamon products sold in the United States after analyzing 15 organic and conventional cinnamon products. These chemicals are linked to serious health effects, which we will discuss later. Because heavy metals and glyphosate are so toxic, Mamavation has commissioned our own scientific studies on cinnamon to make recommendations for the safest cinnamon products available on the market today. Read Mamavation’s articles on these products to find which brands are free from detectable glyphosate and have the lowest lead & cadmium.

Here’s what our EPA-certified laboratory communicated to us about the cinnamon products tested:

  • If cinnamon were considered a “baby food” 100% of the products would fail the new proposed standards for lead in baby food based on a standard of 10 ppb limit for category fruits, vegetables (excluding single-ingredient root vegetables), mixtures (including grain and meat-based mixtures), yogurts, custards/puddings, and single-ingredient meats.
  • 100% of cinnamon products had detectable lead and cadmium. That’s 15 out of 15 total cinnamon products.
  • 53% of cinnamon products tested had amounts of lead above California Prop. 65 warning levels based on 1 gram of serving size per day. That’s 8 out of 15 cinnamon products.
  • Ranges of lead detected were between 0.44 ug/kg and 1259.35 ug/kg. Ug/kg can also be communicated as parts per billion (ppb).
  • Ranges of cadmium detected were between 72.61 ug/kg and 257.34 ug/kg. These levels do not exceed California’s Prop. 65 warning levels if 1 gram per day is used.
  • 40% of total cinnamon products tested had detectable amounts of toxic glyphosate herbicide. That’s 6 out of 15 of both conventional and organic cinnamon products.
  • Of those products, when just looking at USDA organic products, 45% of organic products had detectable glyphosate. That’s 5 out of 11 USDA organic cinnamon products.
  • All USDA organic Ceylon cinnamon products tested had detectable amounts of glyphosate according to our lab. 
  • Ranges of glyphosate detected were between 10 ppb and 26 ppb. The detection limit was 10 ppb.

As you can see, from the products we tested, which were primarily USDA organic, we found concerning amounts of lead in more than half the products. In addition, one organic brand was shockingly high in comparison to other brands. This brand may fail California Prop. 65 standards if the serving size per day was 1 teaspoon. We also found traces of glyphosate herbicide in all the USDA organic Ceylon cinnamon products.

Linda S. Birnbaum, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program & Scholar in Residence at Duke University, Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina, & Yale University had this to say: “There is no reason that glyphosate, lead, or cadmium should be in our food. Everyone knows that lead and cadmium are toxic metals, and the evidence is growing that glyphosate is a problem for human health.” 

Cinnamon sticks tested for lead

Health Impacts of Glyphosate, Lead, & Cadmium

Glyphosate

Glyphosate [N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine] is the active ingredient in glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) and is the most popular herbicide in the world. Environmental exposure to this broad-based herbicide has increased dramatically since the introduction of “Round-up Ready” genetically modified (GMO) crops in 1996 for soybean, maize, and cotton varieties. “Round-up Ready” genetically modified crops made it possible to utilize glyphosate as a broadcast herbicide while not killing the crops they were sprayed on. Glyphosate is also extensively used for deforestation efforts, such as killing brush in fire zones, and is also relied on heavily by landscapers to kill weeds on green belts and golf courses. Ultimately, glyphosate is used for eliminating weeds and shrubs, such as annual and perennial grasses, broadleaf weeds, and woody species.

Glyphosate is applied in a variety of forms: isopropylamine salt, ammonium salt, diammonium salt, dimethylammonium salt, and potassium salt. Thus it’s important to understand that when glyphosate is applied to crops or weeds, it includes additional adjuncts inside the formulation that make it more toxic and thus easier for the plants to uptake. These glyphosate formulations have also proven to be toxic to humans as well. However, companies don’t have to publicly disclose other proprietary chemicals in these herbicide formulations, and therefore, regulators and researchers can’t fully study these chemicals to determine their health effects.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) within the World Health Organization deemed glyphosate a “probable human carcinogen” in 2015. Since then, many additional studies have been done focusing on the health impacts of glyphosate. Here are some of those outcomes in terms of health effects:

  • induce oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction,
  • behavioral and motor disorders.
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease

Terrence Collins, Teresa Heinz Professor of Green Chemistry & Director of the Institute for Green Sciences at Carnegie Mellon University had this to say about the consumer study: “I find this remarkable study by Mamavtation to be truly disturbing. The number one piece of advice I give to Carnegie Mellon students who take my Chemistry and Sustainability Class about how to protect themselves and their loved ones from the myriad toxic products of today’s chemical enterprise is to eat organic.  Who would have thought that this could be a fake label on so many brands of the much-beloved spice, cinnamon? After all, cinnamon trees are grown in plantations these days, so it should be easy to protect the organic brand in the growing phase from glyphosate.  The heavy metals are a different challenge. Soils and phosphate fertilizers can be contaminated. The US is the world’s leading importer of cinnamon — Mamavation’s study calls for much more aggressive policing of both indigenous and imported products and of both organic and non-organic varieties.” 

Cinnamon sticks tested for lead & cadmium & glyphosate

Lead

Pediatricians agree that lead presents a dangerous exposure for children because of the many permanent problematic health outcomes according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Here are some of the health outcomes that are linked to lead exposure in children:

  • Lower IQ scores
  • Underperformance in school
  • Developmental delays
  • Behavioral issues such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Hearing and speech problems

Dr. Phillip Landrigan, Director of the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good at Boston College Morrissey College of Arts & Sciences, has been warning patients about lead since the 1970’s. He says, “The problem is no level of lead is safe. Even low levels, especially if those low levels continue over many months, is going to cause some degree of brain damage at least to some of the children who are exposed.” The Centers for Disease Control has also concluded there is no safe level of lead. This does not mean ALL children will have this outcome, but some children absolutely will according to research.

Even when exposure has stopped, some children (not necessarily all) will have permanent issues. Some studies have found chelation is a way doctors can lower extremely high levels of lead within a child, however, these chelation practices have not been linked to better behavioral outcomes. It’s better to have not been exposed.

Cinnamon sticks with more in the background

Cadmium

In terms of impacts on children, cadmium crosses the placental barrier easily reaches the fetus. Even moderate exposure levels during pregnancy can lead to serious health consequences. However, these health consequences may not present themselves right away and may lead to problems in development or other such issues in adulthood.

Here are some health problems associated with cadmium exposure:

  • Lower birth weights,
  • Lower IQ (Intelligence quotient) in children,
  • Increases learning disorders,
  • Delayed growth in early childhood,
  • toxic effects on kidneys,
  • endocrine effects,
  • lung inflammation,
  • Increases blood pressure in children,
  • Cardiovascular disease in men,
  • Obesity & metabolic syndrome

Cinnamon powder and sticks on wooden table, closeup

New Proposed FDA Lead & Cadmium Limits for Baby Food vs. California Prop. 65

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed new limits for lead in baby food yet has not yet taken action to solidify them into regulations. It’s unclear how long it will take the FDA to consult with stakeholders, i.e. baby food companies & farmers, but here are the proposed levels for lead in baby food that will be an improvement.

  • 10 parts per billion (ppb) for fruits, vegetables (excluding single-ingredient root vegetables), mixtures (including grain and meat-based mixtures), yogurts, custards/puddings, and single-ingredient meats;
  • 20 ppb for root vegetables (single ingredient); and
  • 20 ppb for dry infant cereals.

As you may notice, root vegetables allow for higher amounts of lead than other types of foods because root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots consistently test for higher heavy metals regardless of whether they are organic.  This is because they draw heavy metals from the soil in higher amounts than many other crops.

Right now California has the strictest lead limits in the nation. However, there is a big difference between what the FDA is proposing to do with baby food and what California does. California only has a “right to know” law whereas the FDA will establish limits and have authority to recall products from shelves that go above their limits. California has a list of carcinogens and reproductive toxins at safe harbor levels where brands need to provide a “Prop. 65 Warning” when products have chemicals on the list above their safe harbor levels per day.

So how does this pertain to cinnamon? It’s a bit confusing. Instead of simply basing the levels on what the lab reports, California requires an exposure analysis to be done that ends up being a limit of micrograms per day of exposure. Let’s use the proposed FDA limits for baby food and baby food pouches with 113 grams of serving size as an example. If the labs found 10 ppb of lead (the proposed FDA limit for lead), the California lead exposure calculation would look like this: 10 ug/kg /1000 x 113 (serving size in grams) = 1.13 ug/day and would require a Prop. 65 warning because it’s over 0.5 ug/day for lead. If the lab found 5 ppb, the calculation would look like this: 5/1000 x 113 = 0.565 ug/day and would require a Prop. 65 warning because it’s over 0.5 ug/day. If the lab found 2 ppb, the calculation would look like this: 2/1000 x 113 = 0.226 ug/day and would NOT require a Prop. 65 warning.

Here are the warning levels in micrograms per day for Prop. 65:

  • California Prop. 65 Warning Levels micrograms per day for lead: 0.5 ug/day. 
  • California Prop. 65 Warning Levels micrograms per day for cadmium: 4.1 ug/day
  • California Prop. 65 Warning Levels micrograms per day for arsenic: 10 ug/day
  • California has no warning levels for inorganic mercury

Cinnamon sticks on cinnamon

How Does Glyphosate Get Into Organic Cinnamon Products?

In order to find out how glyphosate could get into USDA organic products, we interviewed Henry Rowlands, Director of the Detox Project, which is an organization that certifies food products as “glyphosate residue-free.” The “glyphosate residue-free” certification tests food products three times per year and requires non-detect results at the lowest standardized method in order to maintain the certification. Over the years, they have also assisted brands in lowering their glyphosate residue before receiving certification. In other words, he’s worked with many brands as they were identifying and lowering glyphosate and has intimate knowledge of how glyphosate contamination can find its way into USDA organic and conventional food products.

Henry Rowlands, Director of the Detox Project had this to say about the surprising glyphosate findings, “Some organic supply chains are simply not tested enough, which enables room for concerning practices, in which non-organic produce is sold as certified organic. This seems to be the case with cinnamon, as we have tested multiple organic cinnamon samples with high levels of glyphosate. The levels in this current testing project are not high but show a continuing concerning trend.”

We further asked Henry what could explain this level of glyphosate and he responded this could be an example of fraudulent practices whereas glyphosate is used to dry out the cinnamon before it’s cut into sticks and packaged OR glyphosate could be sprayed around the base of the trees. Neither situation is preferred by consumers because when you pay top dollar for USDA organic products, you are assuming they are following USDA Organic protocol and use of glyphosate is not prohibited. We encourage these brands to contact Henry Rowlands at the Detox Project and work with him to clean up their practices and get their products certified so that consumers can make purchases in the future with confidence.

Baby crying because Nook Pure Organic Mattress was found to have PFAS

Lead in Cinnamon in Baby Food Poisons Children

In January of 2024, hundreds of complaints were received by the Food and Drug Administration for potential cases of lead poisoning after consuming three different branded products of cinnamon-flavored applesauce.

  • WanaBana apple cinnamon fruit puree pouches – including three packs
  • Schnucks-brand cinnamon-flavored applesauce pouches and variety pack
  • Weis-brand cinnamon applesauce pouches

The Centers for Disease Control defined poisoning as having a blood lead level of 3.5 µg/dL or higher measured within 3 months after consuming a recalled WanaBana, Schnucks, or Weis brand fruit puree product after November 2022. As of January 26, CDC has received reports of 98 confirmed cases, 269 probable cases, and 37 suspected cases for a total of 404 cases from 43 different states through their reporting structure.

After further investigation, it was discovered that the lead was coming from the cinnamon. Ecuadorian officials reported that Carlos Aguilera of Ecuador, the processor of the ground cinnamon supplied by Negasmart to Austrofoods and later used in recalled apple cinnamon products, is the likely source of contamination. He was found to have added lead chromate to the cinnamon, likely to give it a bolder and more attractive color. That ground cinnamon contained far higher lead levels, from 2,270 ppm to 5,110 ppm. (Alternatively reported as 2,270,000 ppb to 5,110,000 ppb)

Later, six additional brands of ground cinnamon powder were encouraged to have a voluntary recall by the FDA with levels between 2.12 ppm and 3.40 ppm. (Alternatively reported as 2,120 ppb to 3,400 ppb)

  • La Fiesta Ground Cinnamon
  • Marcum Ground Cinnamon
  • MK Ground Cinnamon (not recalled yet) 
  • Swad Brand Cinnamon Powder 
  • Supreme Tradition Ground Cinnamon
  • El Chilar Ground Cinnamon

Table counter top with blur background of home cordial kitchen , modern style

Additional Mamavation Consumer Studies For Your Family

Before we launch into the raw data from our lab, we wanted to remind you about all the other studies we have done on indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” inside the food and consumer products you may bring inside your home. Each one of these studies were done in a similar fashion as this study with brands sent independently to the lab and raw data of those labs at the bottom of the post.

  • Soft Contact Lenses
  • Green Beauty Makeup
  • Lip Balm
  • Deodorants
  • Condoms & Lubricants
  • Dental Floss
  • Toilet Paper
  • Period Underwear
  • Tampons
  • Sanitary Pads, Pantiliners, & Incontinence Pads
  • Powdered Electrolytes
  • Butter Wrappers
  • Pasta & Tomato Sauces
  • Nut Butters (Peanut butter, etc.)
  • Cooking Oils (olive oil, almond oil, canola oil, etc)
  • Ketchup
  • Activewear (Yoga Pants)
  • Sports Bras
  • Parchment Paper
  • Cupcake Liners
  • Plastic-Free Straws
  • Fast Food Packaging
  • Children’s Probiotics
  • Kids’ Backpacks
  • Baby Strollers

Ground cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, tied with jute rope on old wooden background in rustic style, selective focus

Mamavation’s EPA-Certified Laboratory Results

2 sets of 15 cinnamon products were purchased via Amazon and Instacart in February 2024. Each product was recorded in our database, pictures were taken, and then sent directly to two different EPA-certified laboratories within its original packaging: one lab to test for heavy metals and another lab to test for glyphosate.

After the results were given by each laboratory, we spent some time analyzing the data to determine where to rank each product. We decided upon the following for each category based on advisement from our scientific team:

  1. Not Our Favorite Category: These products were found to have detectable glyphosate according to our EPA-certified laboratory OR they have over 1,000 ug/kg of lead. Some of these products also would require Prop. 65 warnings based on 1 gram of cinnamon per day.
  2. Better Category: These cinnamon products were not found to have any detectable glyphosate by our EPA-certified lab. However, these cinnamon products were reported to have levels of heavy metals that could require a Prop. 65 warning in the State of California based on consumption of 1 gram per day.
  3. Best Category: These cinnamon products were not found to have any detectable glyphosate or have concerning levels of lead or cadmium based on safe harbor levels of Prop. 65.

As an explainer, California Prop. 65 would require a warning accounting for 1 gram of cinnamon per day at 500 ppb lead and 4,100 ppb cadmium or more. Please also note that ug/kg = parts per billion (ppb).

Cinnamon sticks tied in a bunch on the wooden table

Not Our Favorite Cinnamon

These products were found to have detectable glyphosate according to our EPA-certified laboratory OR they have over 1,000 ug/kg of lead. Some of these products also could require Prop. 65 warnings based on 1 gram of cinnamon per day. (ug/kg = ppb) As an explainer, California Prop. 65 would require a warning accounting for 1 gram of cinnamon per day above 500 ppb lead and 4,100 ppb cadmium or more.

  • Anthony’s Ceylon Cinnamon Powder Organic Gluten-Free — Non-detect glyphosate, 1,259.35 ug/kg lead, & 245.02 ug/kg cadmium
  • From Great Origins Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder — 13 ppb glyphosate, 570.31 ug/kg lead, & 212.06 ug/kg cadmium
  • Frontier Co-op Organic Fair Trade Ceylon Cinnamon — 26 ppb glyphosate, 551.97 ug/kg lead, & 105.64 ug/kg cadmium
  • McCormick Cinnamon Ground — 11 ppm glyphosate, 68.73 ug/kg lead, & 139.33 ug/kg cadmium
  • Simply Organic Ceylon Cinnamon — 10 ppb glyphosate, 0.44 ug/kg lead, & 141.41 ug/kg cadmium
  • Spicely Organics Organic Cinnamon Ground Ceylon — 15 ppb glyphosate, 727.64 ug/kg lead, & 112.64 ug/kg cadmium
  • True Organic Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder — 11 ppb glyphosate, 509.35 ug/kg lead, & 107.6 ug/kg cadmium

Cinnamon sticks tested for lead, cadmium & glyphosate on a bay leaf

Better Cinnamon

These cinnamon products were not found to have any detectable glyphosate by our EPA-certified lab. However, these cinnamon products were reported to have levels of heavy metals that would require a Prop. 65 warning in the State of California based on consumption of 1 gram per day or more. (ug/kg = ppb) As an explainer, California Prop. 65 could require a warning accounting for 1 gram of cinnamon per day at 500 ppb lead and 4,100 ppb cadmium.

  • Happy Belly Ground Cinnamon — Non-detect glyphosate, 770.02 ug/kg lead, & 179.28 ug/kg cadmium
  • Kirkland Signature Saigon Cinnamon Ground — Non-detect glyphosate, 761.72 ug/kg lead, & 243.74 ug/kg cadmium
  • Newman’s Own Organics Cinnamon Ground — Non-detect glyphosate, 524.7 ug/kg lead, & 234.21 ug/kg cadmium

Cinnamon sticks in a bowl

Best Cinnamon

These cinnamon products were not found to have any detectable glyphosate or have concerning levels of lead or cadmium. (ug/kg = ppb) As an explainer, California Prop. 65 would require a warning accounting for 1 gram of cinnamon per day at 500 ppb lead and 4,100 ppb cadmium or more.

  • 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Cinnamon Ground — Non-detect glyphosate, 14.87 ug/kg lead, & 93.75 ug/kg cadmium
  • Morton & Basset Spice Organic Ground Cinnamon — Non-detect glyphosate, 22.1 ug/kg lead, & 72.61 ug/kg of cadmium
  • Simply Organic Cinnamon — Non-detect glyphosate, 338.32 ug/kg lead, & 218.67 ug/kg cadmium
  • Spice Islands Est. 1941 Organic Ground Saigon Cinnamon — Non-detect glyphosate, 93.75 ug/kg lead, & 257.34 ug/kg cadmium
  • Spice Islands Ground Saigon Cinnamon — Non-detect glyphosate, 293.21 ug/kg lead, & 240.09 ug/kg cadmium

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. emoji

    January 14, 2025 at 7:09 pm

    The lesson I have acquired from running is that the optimal time to exert yourself is when you are experiencing excruciating pain and are tempted to surrender. Success is frequently imminent.

    Reply
  2. Sara

    December 27, 2024 at 8:58 pm

    I am curious to know where spices from Mountain Rose Herbs, including cinnamon, would fall in this list

    Reply
  3. sheila

    December 3, 2024 at 1:32 pm

    Thank you so much for all your research. However is there a safe brand of Ceylon cinammon that you can recommend?

    Reply
  4. sheila

    December 3, 2024 at 1:29 pm

    Can I just assume that according to your findings, there isn’t a Ceylon cinnamon brand that is safe to ingest? If this is not true, can you please recommend a safe brand of Ceylon cinnamon.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • B

      April 16, 2025 at 11:21 pm

      I’d like to know that too! I can only consume Ceylon.

      Reply
  5. Ellen

    October 1, 2024 at 1:42 pm

    It’s amazing — the scope of your research. Thank you so much for all you’re doing!

    Reply
  6. Jn

    August 30, 2024 at 7:39 pm

    What about walmart great value brand?

    Reply
  7. shanna boatler

    August 2, 2024 at 12:02 pm

    interesting article as well,
    https://zegofoods.com/glyphosate-in-organic-cinnamon/

    Reply
  8. AO

    July 27, 2024 at 6:30 pm

    What about Trader Joe’s organic ground cinnamon?

    Reply
    • BDVB

      September 12, 2024 at 9:38 am

      What about BJs brand Wellesley Farms ground Cinnamon

      Reply
  9. Anonymous

    July 1, 2024 at 6:00 pm

    Would love it if you could test Red Ape! They claim to test their cinnamon for heavy metals but I am also concerned about glyphosate. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Phoebe

      July 27, 2024 at 6:48 pm

      I emailed them and they sent me results which were terrible. I’m appalled because I have been using it thinking it was safe

      Reply
    • Karen

      August 2, 2024 at 4:21 am

      The Simply Organic cinnamon was in the best category. Does that include their Ceylon cinnamon? Also, where is the cinnamon from that was on your best list? Thank you for your important work!

      Reply
      • Liz

        November 21, 2024 at 9:15 am

        Simply Organic Ceylon Cinnamon — 10 ppb glyphosate, 0.44 ug/kg lead, & 141.41 ug/kg cadmium

        It’s in the bad category

        Reply
    • KP

      August 26, 2024 at 10:05 am

      They do test for heavy metals – I got their results from them.

      Reply
    • Katie Allard

      September 16, 2024 at 8:50 am

      Are the Cinnamon’s tested the cassia or Ceylon?

      Reply
      • Donald Ponder

        December 23, 2024 at 12:01 pm

        What about Frontier Vietnamese cinnamon?

        Reply
  10. Jethro Jr

    May 28, 2024 at 6:36 am

    the lead amounts are UG per Kilogram correct ? so 1 Kilogram is 35 Ounces or 2.18 lbs.
    seems to me that that is not a high concentration. especially compared to other foods.

    anyone agree ?

    Reply
  11. susan baker

    May 21, 2024 at 3:23 am

    My first ALS  symptom occurred in 2016, but was diagnosed in 2018. I had severe symptoms ranging from shortness of breath, balance problems, couldn’t walk without a walker or a power chair, i had difficulty swallowing and fatigue. I was given medications which helped but only for a short burst of time, then I decided to try alternative measures and began on ALS Formula treatment from Aknni herbs centre, It has made a tremendous difference for me (Visit ww w. aknniherbscentre.c om). I had improved walking balance, increased appetite, muscle strength, improved eyesight and others.

    Reply
  12. Jake C

    May 18, 2024 at 8:00 pm

    I have been using large amounts of Frontier Organic Ceylon for years. This is shocking.

    But what if the ones low in Lead and Roundup are high in some other contaminant?

    Simply Organic was the brand that had the best scores when Consumer Reports did a study on contaminants in spices a year or two ago!

    I wish all spices and herbs (and other foods) were required to be independently tested for contaminants. How expensive could it be for a large company to pay for testing?

    Reply
  13. Lee

    May 17, 2024 at 7:47 pm

    I was using McCormick for a few months and decided to try Anthony’s and when my doctor told did my standard urine test they found my kidneys were damaged as I had traces of albumin or protein. I stopped cinnamon as I read about thelead recall for cinnamon products. I waited a month and my urine was normal again. Doc was going to prescribe high blood pressure meds!!

    Reply
  14. te

    May 12, 2024 at 2:53 am

    How did Mamavation address concerns regarding cinnamon products following reports of lead poisoning in recalled baby food?

    Reply
  15. Jackie

    May 6, 2024 at 8:47 am

    I was wondering about the safety of Simple Truth Organic products which is a Kroger brand I believe.

    Reply
  16. slice masters

    May 1, 2024 at 11:39 pm

    I’m throwing away my Frontier organic Ceylon! Having this information is essential. Regards!

    Reply
    • *Elizabeth

      May 25, 2024 at 4:49 am

      What about the millions of
      Other brands of cinnamon out there? Can we just assume their toxic and their trying to harm and make us all very sick ?

      Reply
  17. Marcel

    April 27, 2024 at 10:46 am

    Please glyphosate-test the FGO Organic Ceylon Cinnamon from Amazon.

    Reply
    • Mary

      August 19, 2024 at 4:55 pm

      * From Great Origins Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder — 13 ppb glyphosate, 570.31 ug/kg lead, & 212.06 ug/kg cadmium

      Information was under worst cinnamons.

      Reply
    • Anonymous

      December 13, 2024 at 5:42 pm

      Yes please. I’m looking for a safe brand and was about to purchase this brand…FGO Ceylon cinnamon. Is it worth it? Is there a toxic free Ceylon cinnamon out there? I’m ready to pay the price for tested quality!

      Reply
    • Anonymous

      April 13, 2025 at 7:27 am

      They did. FGO=aka From Great Origins organic ceylon cinnamon powder

      Reply
  18. Priscilla Carmichael

    April 25, 2024 at 12:53 pm

    None of the recommended are Ceylon, which have far less couramin. Is there a Ceylon cinnamon without/with low lead that Mamavation can recommend?
    I’d really appreciate that research.

    Reply
    • Jen

      April 27, 2024 at 6:46 pm

      I was wondering the same thing. Is there a Ceylon cinnamon that’s a good option? Thank you

      Reply
    • Anonymous

      June 18, 2024 at 11:13 am

      I am wondering this as well!

      Reply
  19. Ernesta Rossi

    April 25, 2024 at 9:37 am

    Thank you for the report. Wondering if cinnamon sticks would be better? ie. grind it yourself at home?

    Reply
    • susan baker

      May 21, 2024 at 3:23 am

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      Reply
  20. Lisa

    April 25, 2024 at 8:21 am

    So basically there’s no legit cinnamon (Ceylon) that we know of that’s not contaminated. Like many of you I spent thousands and THOUSANDS of dollars over the years buying “top quality” organic, clean products. Only to find these companies lie, cheat and steal. I also no longer believe in the USDA Organic label because nobody seems to have any morals or ethics, nor a conscience.

    Reply
    • Ele

      April 30, 2024 at 7:04 am

      Does anyone know how Watkins Cinnamon ranks?

      Reply
  21. gretchen

    April 25, 2024 at 6:48 am

    So, does this mean all ceylon cinnamon have glyphosate, lead and cadmium in it? Ceylon has always been touted as healthier and cassia more dangerous to health. I;m now confused.

    Reply
  22. Yelena Ambartsumian

    April 25, 2024 at 4:27 am

    It seems Ceylon cinnamon has bigger issues than Cassia cinnamon. None of the “non-detect” cinnamons in the list (Best List) are Ceylon. Can you please recommend a Ceylon cinnamon? Thank you for this research. Horrifying…

    Reply
  23. Ana

    April 24, 2024 at 6:42 pm

    Thanks so much for this information!! Have you considered testing Red Ape Cinnamon? That brand was recommended by someone who commented on your post about heavy metals in spices. I reached out to them a year or so ago and they sent me documentation to confirm they test for heavy metals and there are none in their ceylon cinnamon. I wonder if you might consider testing them? Thank you again for your incredibly helpful work!

    Reply
  24. Katie

    April 24, 2024 at 6:27 am

    What about Watkins cinnamon?

    Reply
  25. Samantha

    April 24, 2024 at 4:55 am

    Nearly all of my spices are Frontier or Simply Organic. Should I be concerned about their other spices as well? ????

    Reply
    • frAmie22

      April 25, 2024 at 12:05 pm

      While Simply Organic had some detectable levels of glyphosate, it is the lowest in heavy metal contamination. It is a trade-off.

      Reply
  26. Stephanie Knight

    April 24, 2024 at 1:14 am

    Thank you for teating. The larger issue is , how do we ban glyphosate? What do all of us need to do?

    Reply
    • Nicole Allred

      May 13, 2024 at 8:33 am

      I agree. How do we get it banned!!

      Reply
  27. Leo Younger

    April 23, 2024 at 7:52 pm

    Profound. This work certainly deserves my financial support.

    Reply
  28. Debbie Binder

    April 23, 2024 at 7:03 pm

    Horrifying and amazing that my expensive (Frontier) Ceylon cinnamon is ‘not our favorite.’ I thought I could buy an organic spice from a reputable company. How wrong I was. Your time to research and publish your findings is much appreciated. I know you are saving lives. Thank you

    Reply
  29. June

    April 23, 2024 at 6:20 pm

    Thank you for all you do to keep us informed and safe! I wish more people were aware of the contaminants in our food supply.

    Reply
  30. Sharon Reeve

    April 23, 2024 at 4:02 pm

    It always seems the product I use is not covered in the analysis. Bummer. I use Kiva Organic Ceylon Cinnamon. Good to know about Whole Foods and Spice Islands.

    Reply
    • Michelle

      April 25, 2024 at 8:00 am

      Join her Facebook group! She often asks for recommendations on which brands we want her to test. She may not always pick it to be tested if there isn’t enough demand for that brand, but it’s worth a shot.

      Reply
  31. Mark

    April 23, 2024 at 3:43 pm

    For many years now I’ve been buying Planet Organic cinnamon. One teaspoon per day in my tea. It would have been nice if you had tested this product. After reading this article and in order to play it safe, you now leave me no choice but to give cinnamon the flick.

    Reply
  32. Linda

    April 23, 2024 at 2:10 pm

    Hmmm I use Anthony’s Ceylon Organic Cinnamon! How is that one??? I threw out all my other Cinnamon products and switched to Anthony’s! Thank you

    Reply
    • saundra

      April 24, 2024 at 12:51 pm

      I use Anthony’s too! And Leah did test it. It is under the not our favorite category. Mine is now in the garbage and I will buy the whole foods 365 product.

      Reply
  33. Deborah

    April 23, 2024 at 1:16 pm

    so, unless it specifies ceylon cinnamon, then should we assume it is cassia and not ceylon? Thank you for doing! Always so helpful!

    Reply
  34. Virginia Pedersen

    April 23, 2024 at 1:14 pm

    Can you please test Organic Ceylon Cinnamon from The Raw Food World? therawfoodworld.com
    Thank you.

    Reply
  35. Susan

    April 23, 2024 at 1:06 pm

    I just bought several pounds of Terrasoul Organic Ceylon cinnamon, did you test this?

    Reply
  36. Andrea

    April 23, 2024 at 12:34 pm

    So there are one brand that use Ceylon cinnamon that is in the “best choice” category ? thanks

    Reply
  37. Truth59

    April 23, 2024 at 12:28 pm

    There are no Best Ceylon Cinnamons. That’s the only kind I will use.

    Reply
    • RR

      April 24, 2024 at 7:30 pm

      Agreed. While the “best” options on this list are low in glyphosate, they’re much higher in lead (major issue for developing brains) as was recently flagged in the apple sauce pouch debacle. Ceylon cinnamon is much safer overall than cassia, so this is probably the least helpful Mamavation work-up we’ve come across.

      Which is more harmful to the developing brain? Large amounts of lead or smaller amounts of pesticides. Neither is good, but which one has more impact in that realm? Looks like the answer is outside the scope of this limited study.

      Reply
      • Treecie

        August 2, 2024 at 4:05 pm

        I don’t know how to link to a reddit comment I just saw, but the poster wrote that, after much searching, she/he found out that Red Ape tests for heavy metals. There was no mention of glyphosate, but it might be worth it to call them. The post was from a year ago, so it’s fairly recent.

        Reply
  38. Paula

    April 23, 2024 at 12:26 pm

    Would love a recommendation for a clean organic ground Ceylon cinnamon (Saigon not the best for you but the good ones you listed appear to be Saigon) thx for all your info!

    Reply
  39. Tiffany Smith

    April 23, 2024 at 11:31 am

    Thank you but so upset that the simply organic ceylon cinnamon is not good

    Reply
  40. Dawn

    April 23, 2024 at 11:20 am

    I have the Frontier organic Ceylon and tossing it! This is critical
    Information to have. Thanks!!

    Reply
    • Debbie Binder

      April 23, 2024 at 7:05 pm

      I have a one pound bag. What are you changing to? Thanks

      Reply
  41. Anita DeGorsky

    April 23, 2024 at 11:03 am

    Has there been any testing on cinnamon from FGO Organics and Navitas Organics that claim they are certified? Now I am wondering if Certified means they test for lead, glyphosate and Cadmium. How can anyone know?
    Thank you.

    Reply
    • Grateful Qt

      May 31, 2024 at 2:21 pm

      If the company claims to use third party testing, contact them request a copy of their COA.
      A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is a document that verifies a product’s quality, safety, and compliance with regulations.

      Reply
  42. Chris W

    April 23, 2024 at 10:46 am

    Wonder how StarWest cinnamon is. From Indonesia and quality tested in Calif.

    Reply
    • Jamie

      April 23, 2024 at 11:29 am

      What are your thoughts on grinding cinnamon from whole cinnamon sticks?

      Reply
    • cindy

      May 3, 2024 at 11:03 am

      I would also like to know this. I thought Frontier Coop would be better but now have no idea what to get. I use a lot and 365 is going to be very expensive

      Reply
  43. Sarah

    April 23, 2024 at 9:48 am

    Thank you SO much! Going to throw out the horrible cinnamons we have now and buy your recommendations. So upsetting they’ve basically been poisoning my babies! You ROCK! My family appreciates your hard work.

    Reply
    • Patti

      April 23, 2024 at 1:25 pm

      I feel like Frontier and Simply Organic should refund me all the $$ I’ve wasted on their poisonous ceylon cinnamon.

      Reply
      • B

        April 23, 2024 at 7:44 pm

        Agreed!

        Reply
      • Kathleen

        May 9, 2024 at 11:04 am

        I had it ! Ive tried so hard to avoid this and use everyday frontier ceylon organic to find its poison i feel we should sue and start class action lawsuit for our health. They sue and win for stupid things like red bull doesnt give you wing just won and hot coffee spill for mcdonalds

        Reply
        • Annelise

          December 6, 2024 at 10:51 am

          Well, as far as Organic Ceylon Cinnamons go, the Simply Organic Ceylon Cinnamon definitely looks the most attractive!

          Of those testing positive for Glyphosate, it has the lowest at 10 ppb.

          And of every one the cinnamons tested here, it has the lowest Lead contamination at 0.44 ug/kg (ppb).

          And one of the lower levels of Cadmium.

          Until I hear back from the 3 companies I emailed asking for test results whose products were not tested here (Terrasoul, Mountain Rose Herbs, Cinnamon Vogue), Simply Organic Ceylon Cinnamon will be my cinnamon of choice!

          Reply

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