Cinnamon is a popular spice used in many dishes and baked goods. For people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, determining if spices contain gluten is an important consideration when shopping and meal planning. McCormick is one of the largest spice companies in the world, so whether McCormick cinnamon contains gluten or is gluten-free is a common question.
What is McCormick cinnamon?
McCormick cinnamon is simply ground cinnamon spice produced and sold by McCormick & Company. McCormick offers several types of cinnamon:
- Ground cinnamon
- Cinnamon sticks
- Saigon cinnamon
- Ceylon cinnamon
- Vietnamese cinnamon
- Korintje cinnamon
The two most common varieties are Cassia and Ceylon. Cassia cinnamon is typically what people refer to as “regular” cinnamon and is the most commonly used type. Ceylon cinnamon is rarer and often considered true cinnamon. Both types are made from the inner bark of cinnamon trees.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a group of proteins found in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. People with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity cannot tolerate gluten and experience digestive distress, inflammation, and other adverse health effects when they eat gluten.
Since cinnamon is made from the bark of a tree, it does not naturally contain gluten. However, cross-contamination can occur if a spice comes into contact with gluten during growing, processing, or manufacturing.
Does McCormick cinnamon contain gluten?
According to McCormick’s website, their cinnamon products do not contain any gluten and are considered gluten-free. McCormick states that all their spices are gluten-free, with the exception of certain spice blends that contain wheat.
McCormick takes care to avoid cross-contamination of their spices with gluten. Their frequently asked questions state:
“Most McCormick spices are packed in facilities that do NOT handle wheat, barley, rye or oats. McCormick sites handle spices where wheat, barley, rye and oats are NEVER used in ANY of the products or processes. In addition, all equipment and processing areas are carefully cleaned between production runs to avoid cross-contamination.”
Are other McCormick cinnamon products gluten-free?
Yes, all McCormick brand pure cinnamon products are labeled gluten-free, including:
Product | Gluten-free Status |
---|---|
Ground cinnamon | Gluten-free |
Cinnamon sticks | Gluten-free |
Saigon cinnamon | Gluten-free |
Ceylon cinnamon | Gluten-free |
Vietnamese cinnamon | Gluten-free |
Korintje cinnamon | Gluten-free |
However, McCormick notes that a very small number of their spice blends do contain wheat or barley. If you need to avoid gluten, be sure to check the label on blended spices, rubs, and seasoning mixes to ensure they are labeled gluten-free.
Is McCormick cinnamon certified gluten-free?
McCormick’s website states that their products are not certified gluten-free. Instead, they follow rigorous quality controls to avoid cross-contamination. McCormick conducts thorough equipment cleaning, raw material controls, and product testing to ensure products are gluten-free.
Are there any risks of cross-contamination?
According to McCormick, the risk of their pure cinnamon products containing traces of gluten from cross-contamination is very low. However, there is always a slight possibility of cross-contamination occurring.
Those with celiac disease or who are highly sensitive should take extra precautions such as contacting McCormick directly to inquire about shared production lines and thorough sanitation procedures between runs.
Can you safely consume McCormick cinnamon if you have celiac disease?
Most evidence indicates that McCormick cinnamon is a very safe choice for those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. However, some individuals who are highly sensitive prefer to stick to brands that are certified gluten-free when available.
Many reputable gluten-free organizations consider spices that are naturally gluten-free, like cinnamon, to be permissible for a gluten-free diet as long as proper processing procedures are followed. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about consuming McCormick cinnamon or other spices that are not certified gluten-free.
Is McCormick cinnamon wheat-free?
Yes, McCormick has confirmed that their cinnamon products do not contain wheat or wheat derivatives. Individuals with wheat allergy or sensitivity to other gluten grains like barley and rye can typically tolerate McCormick cinnamon.
Is McCormick cinnamon safe for celiac disease?
According to most celiac disease experts and organizations, McCormick cinnamon that is labeled gluten-free is generally considered safe for people with celiac disease. However, some individuals with celiac prefer using only certified gluten-free labeled spices for added assurance.
Since the health implications of ingesting gluten can be severe for those with celiac disease, it is important to use your best personal judgment and speak with a healthcare professional about your individual level of risk tolerance.
Is McCormick cinnamon safe for a gluten-free diet?
For most people adhering to a gluten-free diet, McCormick cinnamon that is specifically labeled gluten-free can typically be part of a gluten-free diet. However, some individuals who are extra sensitive prefer brands that are certified gluten-free to reduce any risk of cross-contamination.
Be sure to check the McCormick website for their latest information on which cinnamon products are gluten-free and triple check the label before purchasing.
Where is McCormick cinnamon manufactured?
McCormick has manufacturing facilities around the world, including in the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Poland, India, China, and Australia. Contact McCormick directly if you need information on which facility manufactures a specific cinnamon product.
Knowing manufacturing location may provide useful information to assess potential cross-contamination risks for highly sensitive individuals.
What does McCormick say about gluten-free status?
On their website, McCormick states the following about gluten:
“McCormick is diligent in ensuring no gluten containing ingredients are added during the preparation or processing of spices and herbs. Most of our spices have global regulatory claims for “gluten-free”. However – our spices are NOT tested for gluten using R5 ELISA methodology, nor do we routinely test finished products for gluten content. For consumers managing a gluten sensitivity, we recommend that you confirm our gluten-free status of each of our products you are considering for purchase.”
Should you choose McCormick cinnamon?
When shopping for gluten-free cinnamon, McCormick brand is generally a good option and considered low risk for most people who need to avoid gluten. However, if you are highly sensitive or need assurance due to celiac disease, you may feel more comfortable choosing a certified gluten-free brand.
Since McCormick dominates the spice industry, their cinnamon products are very easy to find in most grocery stores. Be sure to double check that any McCormick spice you choose is labeled gluten-free.
Other frequently asked questions
Is McCormick cinnamon vegan?
Yes, McCormick pure ground cinnamon and cinnamon sticks are vegan and vegetarian friendly. They do not contain any animal-derived ingredients.
Is McCormick cinnamon organic?
No, McCormick cinnamon is not certified organic. However, they do offer some organic spice products that comply with USDA organic regulations.
Where can I buy McCormick cinnamon?
McCormick cinnamon is widely available at most major grocery stores in the spice aisle. Many retailers like Walmart, Target, Amazon, and local supermarkets typically carry McCormick spices.
Is McCormick cinnamon non-GMO?
McCormick does not label their cinnamon products as non-GMO or GMO-free. You would need to contact them directly to find out their exact GMO policy and if they can confirm the non-GMO status of their cinnamon.
Is McCormick cinnamon sustainably sourced?
McCormick states that they source their spices ethically and sustainably when possible. However, not all McCormick spices currently carry third-party sustainability certifications.
The bottom line
Most evidence points to McCormick’s pure cinnamon products being a safe gluten-free option for the majority of gluten-sensitive individuals and those with celiac disease. McCormick takes care to avoid cross-contamination and indicates their cinnamon does not contain gluten.
However, the spices are not certified gluten-free, so those who are extra sensitive or need absolute assurance should consider a certified brand. When in doubt, individuals with celiac disease should consult their healthcare team.
Overall, for most people who need to follow a gluten-free diet, McCormick provides a widely accessible cinnamon option that is low risk. Just remember to double check all labels and contact McCormick directly if you need additional details about gluten testing policies and manufacturing processes.