Ceylon cinnamon sticks and leaves – organic Ceylon cinnamon powder in bulk, wholesale and private label

Ceylon cinnamon wholesale: organic cinnamon powder, coumarin rules and private label

Short answer: Ceylon cinnamon is the dried, ground bark of Cinnamomum verum (also called Cinnamomum zeylanicum), often sold as "true cinnamon". GOA Supply supplies organic Ceylon cinnamon powder from Madagascar in bulk, in 10, 50 and 100 kg, with a particle size of 90% below 500 µm. For food producers, the key buying points are the botanical name on the specification, because "cinnamon" can also mean cassia, and the EU maximum levels for coumarin in cinnamon-flavoured foods.

What is Ceylon cinnamon?

Ceylon cinnamon comes from the bark of the Ceylon cinnamon tree. The thin inner bark is peeled, dried and either rolled into quills or ground into powder. Our organic Ceylon cinnamon powder is fine and light brown, with a warm, sweet and delicate flavour.

In trade, the word cinnamon covers more than one species. Cassia cinnamon comes from other Cinnamomum species and has a stronger taste. According to the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), Ceylon cinnamon contains only low levels of coumarin, while cassia contains higher levels. For a buyer, that makes the species a quality and compliance question, not only a matter of taste.

Ceylon cinnamon powder at GOA Supply: key facts

Item Product data
Product Organic Ceylon cinnamon powder
Botanical name Cinnamomum verum (syn. C. zeylanicum), bark
Country of origin Madagascar
Particle size 90% < 500 µm
Appearance and flavour Fine, light brown powder; warm, sweet, delicate
Characteristics Organic, vegan
HS code 090620 (cinnamon, crushed or ground)
Order quantities 10, 50 or 100 kg; smaller quantities on request
Typical business use Bakeries, cereals, desserts, spice blends, coffee, tea and latte mixes, capsule filling, repacking

Ceylon cinnamon is part of our natural powders in bulk, next to spices such as ginger powder.

Coumarin: the EU rule every cinnamon buyer should know

Coumarin is a flavouring substance that occurs naturally in cinnamon, especially in cassia. Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 does not allow coumarin to be added to food as such, and sets maximum levels for coumarin in certain compound foods made with cinnamon:

Food category (Annex III, Part B) Maximum coumarin level
Traditional and/or seasonal bakery ware with a reference to cinnamon in the labelling 50 mg/kg
Breakfast cereals including muesli 20 mg/kg
Other fine bakery ware 15 mg/kg
Desserts 5 mg/kg

The BfR notes that there is no maximum level for coumarin in cinnamon sold as a spice. The limits apply to the finished food, so a producer of cinnamon biscuits, cereals or desserts needs to know the coumarin content of the cinnamon to stay within them. Ask for the coumarin content of the batch if you produce these foods.

What else to check when you buy cinnamon in bulk

  • Species on paper. Make sure the specification and the certificate of analysis (CoA) state Cinnamomum verum or C. zeylanicum, not just "cinnamon".
  • Particle size. Our powder is 90% below 500 µm. Check whether that fits your process, for example for sprinkling, blending or capsule filling.
  • Ochratoxin A. Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets a maximum level of 15 µg/kg for ochratoxin A in dried spices. Ask whether the CoA covers it, together with pesticide residues and microbiology.
  • Organic certificate. If you sell the cinnamon as organic, ask for the organic certificate and check whether your own packing step needs certification.
  • Storage. Keep the powder closed, cool, dry and away from light so it keeps its aroma.

EU status of Ceylon cinnamon

The EU Novel Food Catalogue lists the bark and leaves of Cinnamomum verum (syn. C. zeylanicum) as not novel in food and not novel in food supplements. Compl'Alim, the French ingredient database, lists the bark as authorised for food supplements, with recommended label warnings based on an ANSES opinion that apply if you declare a cinnamon supplement in France. Sold as a single spice, cinnamon is exempt from the mandatory nutrition declaration under Annex V of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011.

Private label Ceylon cinnamon

For private label, we supply the powder in bulk for your own packaging and labelling: as a retail spice, in your own blends or as a capsule fill. As the brand owner you are responsible for the label, any claims (health claims only if authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006) and, for food supplements, the national notifications in the countries where you sell. Read more on our private label page or in our guide to starting a private label supplement brand in the EU.

Ordering Ceylon cinnamon in bulk

  • Standard quantities: 10, 50 or 100 kg; smaller quantities on request.
  • Orders are usually shipped within 1–2 weeks, depending on stock.
  • Prices exclude shipping, and we can arrange transport.
  • Specification, organic certificate and CoA on request.

FAQ

What is the difference between Ceylon cinnamon and cassia?
Ceylon cinnamon comes from Cinnamomum verum and has a mild, sweet flavour. Cassia comes from other Cinnamomum species, tastes stronger and, according to the BfR, contains more coumarin.

Is there a coumarin limit for cinnamon powder?
Not for cinnamon sold as a spice. Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 sets limits for compound foods such as seasonal bakery ware (50 mg/kg), breakfast cereals (20 mg/kg), fine bakery ware (15 mg/kg) and desserts (5 mg/kg).

Where does your Ceylon cinnamon come from?
Our product data lists Madagascar as the country of origin.

Is Ceylon cinnamon a novel food?
No. The EU Novel Food Catalogue lists the bark and leaves as not novel in food and in food supplements.

Sources

Written by Florian Fermin, co-owner of GOA Supply.

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