About
What it is and where it shows up.
Banana puree is a smooth, homogeneous product obtained by mechanically processing ripe bananas (Musa spp.) into a fine pulp, with or without mild heat treatment. It is widely used as a natural flavouring, sweetening, and texturizing ingredient in baby foods, beverages, bakery products, dairy desserts, and confectionery.
Safety summary
The regulatory and scientific consensus.
Banana puree is a minimally processed whole-food ingredient with no known toxicity or established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) limit for the general adult population. It is rich in natural sugars (primarily fructose and glucose), potassium, and resistant starch, which are beneficial at typical dietary intakes. No regulatory body has identified safety concerns for healthy adults consuming banana puree at normal dietary levels.
Regulatory landscape
What food-safety regulators have decided.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia) | Approved | Banana puree is a natural food ingredient permitted under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. No specific food additive listing or ADI is required for whole-fruit purees. Standard 2.3.1 covers fruit and vegetable products.source |
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Banana puree is a natural fruit-derived food ingredient. It is not subject to food additive authorisation under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. It is governed by general food law under Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 and relevant fruit/vegetable product standards. No ADI or maximum use level established.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Regulated under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Chapter 2.3 — Fruit and Vegetable Products. Fruit pulp/puree must be derived from sound, mature fruit and may contain permitted additions (water, salt, sugar, fruit essences). Must comply with microbiological requirements in Appendix B.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Banana puree is a natural whole-food ingredient and is inherently GRAS under 21 CFR. No specific food additive regulation or intake limit applies. Used as a food ingredient, flavouring, and processing component under GMP. |
Who should approach with care
Whose guidance would steer them away.
Diabetes — Banana puree is high in rapidly digestible natural sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose) and has a moderate-to-high glycaemic index in ripe form, which can cause significant postprandial blood glucose elevations in individuals with diabetes or insulin resistance.
Kidney Disease — Bananas are among the highest dietary sources of potassium; individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) who cannot excrete excess potassium are typically advised by clinicians to restrict or avoid high-potassium foods including banana puree to prevent hyperkalaemia.
Ibs — Ripe banana puree contains moderate levels of fructose and soluble oligosaccharides (FODMAPs) that may trigger bloating, cramping, or altered bowel habits in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome following a low-FODMAP diet.
Infants — Banana puree is commonly used as a first complementary food for infants from approximately 6 months of age; however, introduction timing and quantity should follow paediatric guidance (WHO/national health authority recommendations) to avoid displacing breast milk or formula and to minimise risk of early sugar habituation.
Research citations
The sources behind this verdict.
- 1FSSAI. FSSAI Food Category System — Appendix A: Fruit Pulp, Puree and Related Products. fssai.gov.in
- 2FDA. Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) — FDA Overview. fda.gov
- 3FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 — Chapter 2.3: Fruit and Vegetable Products, 2023. fssai.gov.in
- 4FSSAI. FSSAI Guidance Document — Food Safety Management System for Fruits and Vegetables, 2019. fssai.gov.in
- 5WHO. Ensuring food safety and nutrition security to protect consumer health: 50 years of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, 2013. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Independently researched5 citations