This paper (open access) reports the outcome of a study in which 104 cinnamon samples purchased at retailers in EU countries, have been investigated. The study showed that a high share of samples, 66.3%, either did not fulfil quality criteria set by international standards, were not compliant with European food safety legislation, were suspicious of fraud, or could be toxic for children due to a high content of coumarin.
Substitution of Ceylon by Cassia cinnamon, so far the most recognised type of fraud, was not the problem most frequently detected in this study. Many samples were classified as either strongly suspicious or suspicious, based upon being statistical outliers, but further investigation would be needed to confirm if adulterated.
The authors report that the use of multiple analytical techniques, namely Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence, Head Space-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, q-PCR, and Termogravimetric Analyses, was needed to cover the full range of irregularities detected in the study.
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