About
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a leguminous flowering plant consumed as a food ingredient in the form of sprouts, dried leaves, seeds, and protein concentrates, valued for its high content of vitamins, minerals, protein, and phytochemicals including phytoestrogens. It is used as a vegetable, herbal flavoring, dietary supplement, and functional food ingredient across many global cuisines and food systems.
Safety summary
Alfalfa is generally recognized as safe for the broad adult population when consumed in typical food amounts; however, it contains L-canavanine (a non-protein amino acid) and coumestrol (a phytoestrogen) that can pose specific risks to sensitive individuals such as those with autoimmune conditions. Raw alfalfa sprouts have also been associated with foodborne illness outbreaks involving Salmonella and E. coli due to warm, moist sprouting conditions. No formal Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) has been established by EFSA or FDA for alfalfa as a whole food or herb.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | EFSA's NDA Panel issued a safety opinion on alfalfa protein concentrate as a novel food (EFSA-Q-2008-031). Alfalfa protein concentrate has subsequently been authorized as a novel food under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Whole alfalfa plant (sprouts, leaves) consumed in conventional food use predates May 1997 and is not subject to novel food restrictions. Key safety concerns identified in the EFSA assessment include L-canavanine and coumestrol content in the protein concentrate.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Alfalfa herb is listed as GRAS under 21 CFR 182.10 as a spice and natural seasoning/flavoring. Alfalfa extract is separately recognized as GRAS as a flavoring substance by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA) and appears in the FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) database.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1FDA. 21 CFR 182.10 – Spices and Other Natural Seasonings and Flavorings (GRAS). ecfr.gov
- 2FDA. Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) – Alfalfa Extract (Medicago sativa L.), 2026. hfpappexternal.fda.gov
- 3PubMed. A comprehensive overview of three novel plant proteins approved by EFSA: alfalfa protein concentrate, rapeseed and mung bean protein isolates, 2025. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4EFSA. Opinion on the safety of 'Alfalfa protein concentrate' as food, 2009. efsa.europa.eu
