Navigating the Current Landscape of Heavy Metal: Lead in Cassia

Background

Heavy metals like lead, inorganic arsenic, and cadmium are naturally found in the environment and can be absorbed by natural products from soil or groundwater – especially concentrated in roots and barks. They would decompose to release free heavy metal ions which would be absorbed by the Cassia trees. Heavy metals are also introduced into the ecosystem through the use of contaminated fertilizers or pesticides and gets deposited from the atmosphere through dust or rainwater. This makes it impossible to entirely remove these trace metals from spices during processing. Their concentration in spices varies due to factors like growing conditions and processing methods. However, naturally occurring levels of lead in spices is relatively low (< 3 ppm) as per available data. Spices may also be adulterated with compounds, such as lead chromate, to enhance Color. Despite GAP and GMP practices by farmers in China and us to reduce contamination, natural uptake of heavy metals persists.

Regulatory Situation

• Codex: Working Group of Codex Committee on Contaminants in Foods (CCCF) has proposed in 2024 lead levels ranging from 0.6 to 3.0mg/kg (not yet finalized)

• US FDA: Although there are currently no FDA-established guidelines for heavy metal levels in spices, FDA has established maximum limits for lead in a variety of commodities, FDA has not prioritized spices as part of this initiative but has notified industry that it will use 2 ppm as the enforcement threshold for lead in Cassia/Cinnamon.

  New York State: In 2021, New York State state proposed altering the Class II recall action limit to 0.21 ppm for lead and inorganic arsenic and 0.26 ppm for cadmium (from 1.0ppm). New limits are presently hold after explanations by ASTA that the new level is not supported by sound science nor a public health need and ultimately is not achievable by industry.

• Current ASTA recommendations for Dried Spices as well as EU regulation (2023/915 of 25 Apr 2023)

  • 0.60ppm – Fruit Spices

  • 0.90ppm – Seed Spices

  • 1.00ppm – Bud Spices

  • 1.00ppm – Flower Pistil Spices

  • 1.50ppm – Root and Rhizome Spices

  • 2.00ppm – Bark Spices

  • Not Specified –Herbs. No regulatory limits. Under discussion by CCCF.

Some actions, alerts and recalls

• 2023, Cinnamon Applesauce manufactured in Ecuador were recalled in the US due to high levels of lead – as high as 2,270 to 5,110 ppm. As per US FDA’s conclusion after investination, Cinnamon used in the applesauce was adulterated by an intermediate supplier in Ecuador with lead chromate during processing.

• In March 2024, USFDA recommended voluntary recalls for ground cinnamon products from six distributors whose products were found to have levels over 2 ppm of lead.

• More recalls were announced by US FDA in 2024 July and August.

• US FDA is now more stringently conducting tests on import of Cassia/Cinnamon.

What we do

Utmost care is taken to minimize lead contents in our products by following:

• Stringent standards for supplier selection and raw material specifications. Also, Farmers are made aware by these suppliers in using either organic fertilizers, in place of chemical ones or using biological ones. Efforts are made to give them training in using manual tools and not using pesticides.

• Inspection and testing of all batches where unacceptable and risky batches are rejected.

• During processing, special care (using in-house proprietary techniques) is taken to minimize prevalence amongst others, LEAD contents.

Our Role

Our role is to act as your trusted brokerage and agency partner in the cassia cinnamon supply chain. We coordinate supplier matchmaking, quality assurance, and compliance monitoring, representing your interests locally in China. By working only with verified producers, we ensure safe processing, packaging, and delivery that meet international food safety standards. Our focus is on transparency, advocacy, and building long‑term supplier relationships that reduce risk and create lasting value for buyers

Welcome White Label / Private Label inquiries for Cassia/Cinnamon with full customization, control over Quality/Safety, and ensuring excellence in processing, packaging, and exporting of products

Additionally, we also take care of coumarin contents, allergens, sulphites, pesticide residues, ETO, heavy metals, micros and more. Available in various formats, quality and packing. Contact us with your sample or exact organoleptic description for a quote (along with full physical, chemical and microbiological specifications) to match your requirements.

More details and specifications of Cassia/Cinnamon are also here.