ConsumerLab.com Reveals Key Safety Tips for Cinnamon Users: What You Need to Know About Toxic Compounds and Health Benefits

October 30, 2025 — Cinnamon is a popular spice and supplement, but new testing by ConsumerLab.com highlights important safety considerations for regular users. Dr. Tod Cooperman, president of ConsumerLab.com, led a comprehensive analysis of cinnamon products, focusing on three critical factors: toxic compounds, lead and coumarin, and beneficial flavanol proanthocyanidins (PACs).

Key Findings:

• PACs (Proanthocyanidins): These beneficial compounds were found in high amounts in some cinnamon supplements (7.2 to 33.6 mg per serving) and even higher in certain ground cinnamon spices, with two popular brands containing over 40 mg per gram.
• Coumarin: This liver toxin is present in many cinnamon products. Adults should not exceed 7 mg of coumarin per day, and children should consume even less. Notably, one cinnamon exceeded the adult limit in a half-teaspoon (1 gram) serving, while several other brands came close. Ceylon cinnamon, known for its milder flavor, contained much lower levels of coumarin.
• Lead: While the FDA has recently reported lead contamination in some cinnamon brands, ConsumerLab.com’s testing found generally low levels among the spices and no significant issues in supplements. However, one Ceylon cinnamon spice contained enough lead to require a warning label in California.

Based on these findings, ConsumerLab.com selected three products—two spices and one supplement—as their Top Cinnamon Picks for high PACs, low lead, low coumarin, and good value.

Dr. Cooperman advises consumers: “If you use cinnamon daily, choose products with low coumarin and lead, and look for those with higher PACs for potential health benefits. Our full report, including Top Picks, is available to ConsumerLab members online.”

The full Cinnamon Supplements and Spices Review includes test results and comparisons for 14 cinnamon supplements and spices, including one supplement that passed testing and was Approved through CL's voluntary Quality Certification Program: GNC Herbal Plus Cinnamon & Chromium. All other products were selected for testing based on popularity among ConsumerLab members. These include Anthony's Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder, FGO Organic Ceylon Cinnamon Powder, Frontier Co-Op Organic Ceylon Cinnamon, Simply Organic Ceylon Cinnamon, 365 (Whole Foods) Organic Cinnamon Ground, Kirkland Signature (Costco) Organic Saigon Cinnamon Ground, McCormick Cinnamon Ground, Penzeys Vietnamese Cinnamon, Simply Organic Cinnamon, Trader Joe's Organic Ground Cinnamon, and the supplements Swanson Cinnulin PF Cinnamon Extract, Trunature (Costco) CinSulin, NutriFlair Organic Ceylon Cinnamon.

The review also summarizes the clinical evidence for cinnamon supplementation and discusses the typical dosage for specific uses, including lowering blood sugar, lowering blood pressure, decreasing joint pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, and others. It also explains the differences between cassia and Ceylon cinnamon, what to look for on labels, and the best way to take cinnamon. The review discusses potential side effects and drug interactions with cinnamon.

A video that explains ConsumerLab’s findings and provides expert tips for selecting and using cinnamon supplements and spices is freely available.

Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. It has tested and reviewed over 7,000 products and has published Product Reviews covering nearly every popular category of dietary supplements and health foods.

Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to continually updated reviews of nearly every popular type of dietary supplement and health food, answers to reader questions, and product recalls and warnings. ConsumerLab also provides independent product testing through its voluntary Quality Certification Program. The company is privately held and based in New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.

How to Stay Safe with Cinnamon | ConsumerLab.com Test Results