Analyses by HS-GC-MS, EDXRF, FT-Raman spectroscopy, TGA and DNA-techniques

Upon request of DG SANTE, the JRC carried out a study to address the subject of fraud in the cinnamon market within the EU. Two screening methods based on Energy Dispersive x-Ray Fluorescence and FT-Raman spectroscopy, respectively, were developed and in-house validated to detect fraudulent practises in the cinnamon sector, in particular substitution of Ceylon cinnamon by cassia. A method based on Head Space-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, was developed and validated in-house as a quantitative confirmatory method for the results obtained by the two screening methods. If needed, after proper validation via an inter-laboratory comparison, the method could be used by control laboratories to detect samples suspect of fraud. A method based on DNA analyses, was developed and in-house validated to detect the fraudulent substitution of cinnamon by clove and/or pepper, following a specific request made by DG SANTE. The four methods were used to study a set of more than hundred commercially available cinnamon samples. The total ash content in those materials was determined by Thermo-gravimetric Analyses. The outcome of the study is presented and discussed in this report. Summarising, a high rate of suspicious samples was found, in particular among Ceylon cinnamon, the most expensive cinnamon species on the market.

BEHR Marc;  BOIX SANFELIU Ana;  CHATZIPANAGIS Konstantinos;  DE LA CALLE GUNTIÑAS Maria Beatriz;  GARLANT Linda;  GHIDOTTI Michele;  JIMENEZ PENA Manuel;  PAPOCI Sergej;  PELLEGRIN Clement;  PIETRETTI Danilo; 

2025-09-24

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC142672

978-92-68-28691-3 (online),   

1831-9424 (online),   

EUR 40356,    OP KJ-01-25-338-EN-N (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC142672,   

10.2760/5195608 (online),