Many Cinnamon Products Are Tainted With Lead, But These 10 Brands Are Safe To Use
Cinnamon should add warmth and flavor to your food, not worry. But lately, some cinnamon products have raised serious concerns after being found to contain unsafe levels of lead.
It’s a spicy situation that’s left shoppers scanning labels and second-guessing their favorite brands. Thankfully, not all cinnamon is created equal.
Some brands keep it clean, pure, and perfectly safe to enjoy. If you want peace of mind with every sprinkle, you’ll want to stick with these.
1. 365 Whole Foods Market Ground Cinnamon
Straight from the shelves of Whole Foods comes this trusty kitchen staple that won’t leave you worried about unwanted metals in your morning toast.
The warm, aromatic spice undergoes rigorous testing before hitting stores. Sourced primarily from Indonesia, this cinnamon variety offers a milder flavor profile that works beautifully in both sweet and savory dishes.
Many bakers swear by its consistent quality and reasonable price point compared to other premium options.
2. Loisa Organic Cinnamon
Born from a mission to create cleaner Latin seasonings, Loisa has quickly become a fan favorite among those seeking transparency in their spice cabinet.
Founded by Kenny Luna and Yadira Garcia, this Latinx-owned brand doesn’t cut corners on quality testing.
Remarkably fragrant with hints of clove and citrus, their Ceylon cinnamon comes in eco-friendly packaging that maintains freshness.
The company regularly publishes their testing results online—a refreshing commitment to consumer safety in today’s market.
3. Morton & Bassett San Francisco Organic Ground Cinnamon
Fancy a cinnamon that comes with a guarantee so bold the founder puts his actual signature on every bottle? Morton & Bassett’s small-batch approach means each container can be traced back to its testing batch.
Harvested from the highlands of Vietnam, this Saigon cinnamon delivers an intensely sweet and spicy kick that outperforms grocery store varieties.
The glass bottles protect the volatile oils that give cinnamon its health benefits and distinctive aroma, keeping it fresher longer than plastic containers.
4. Sadaf Cinnamon Powder
Middle Eastern cooking enthusiasts have long treasured Sadaf’s impressive range of spices, and their cinnamon stands out for both purity and potency.
Family-owned since 1979, the company maintains direct relationships with growers to ensure quality control from farm to bottle.
Slightly sweeter than many commercial brands, Sadaf’s cinnamon brings warmth to traditional Persian rice dishes and desserts.
The fine-ground texture dissolves beautifully even in cold applications like smoothies or overnight oats—no gritty texture to ruin your culinary creations.
5. 365 Whole Foods Market Organic Ground Cinnamon
Going organic doesn’t just mean avoiding pesticides—it often means stricter quality control overall.
The organic version of Whole Foods’ cinnamon takes safety up another notch with additional certifications and testing protocols.
Harvested from certified organic farms, this rich, reddish-brown powder carries subtle notes of citrus alongside the classic warm spice profile.
Perfect for health-conscious bakers who refuse to compromise on flavor while keeping their pantries free from contaminants.
6. Sadaf Seven Spice Blend
Venture beyond plain cinnamon with this sophisticated Middle Eastern blend where cinnamon plays the starring role alongside six complementary spices.
What makes this mix special isn’t just its complex flavor profile but Sadaf’s commitment to testing each component spice separately before blending.
Aromatic notes of allspice, nutmeg, and clove dance with the warming cinnamon base.
This versatile blend transforms ordinary roasted vegetables into exotic side dishes and adds depth to meat marinades without any worry about contaminants.
7. McCormick Ground Cinnamon
America’s spice cabinet staple earns its spot on this list through McCormick’s century-old reputation and industry-leading quality control systems.
The familiar red-capped bottle contains cinnamon that’s tested at multiple stages before reaching your kitchen.
Sourced primarily from Indonesia, this everyday cinnamon offers balanced sweetness without overwhelming intensity.
McCormick’s massive scale actually works in their favor here—they can afford comprehensive testing procedures that smaller companies might struggle to implement consistently.
8. Simply Organic Cinnamon
Housed in those distinctive glass bottles with purple lids, Simply Organic’s cinnamon comes with impressive ethical credentials beyond just being clean and safe.
Every purchase supports their 1% fund that helps organic farming communities worldwide.
Remarkably fragrant the moment you twist open the cap, this Ceylon variety offers delicate floral notes that cheaper cassia cinnamon lacks.
Bakers particularly appreciate how it doesn’t overwhelm delicate flavors in pastries and complements chocolate without competing for attention.
9. Trader Joe’s Organic Ground Cinnamon
Cult-favorite grocery chain Trader Joe’s doesn’t mess around when it comes to their spice selection.
Their organic cinnamon undergoes the same rigorous testing as pricier brands but costs significantly less—a win for both safety and your wallet!
Surprisingly complex for its price point, this cinnamon delivers warm, woody notes with just enough sweetness.
The convenient grinder top on some versions allows you to adjust the coarseness based on your recipe needs, from fine powder for baking to coarser grinds for sprinkling on coffee.
10. Kirkland Signature Organic Saigon Cinnamon
Costco’s house brand delivers perhaps the best value proposition on this list—massive quantities of premium Saigon cinnamon at prices that make spice enthusiasts do a double-take.
The warehouse giant leverages its buying power to implement testing standards that exceed regulatory requirements.
Intensely aromatic with higher essential oil content than regular cinnamon, this variety packs serious flavor punch in baked goods.
The large container might seem excessive until you realize how quickly you’ll go through it once you taste the difference in your morning oatmeal or weekend cinnamon rolls.