About
Malaing dhal is the regional South Asian name for split, dehusked black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper), a whole-food pulse legume widely consumed across India and South/Southeast Asia. It is used as a staple dietary protein source, commonly prepared as a cooked lentil dish (dhal) and as a base for fermented foods such as idli and dosa batter.
Safety summary
Black gram dhal is nutritionally dense and broadly safe for the general adult population, providing high-quality plant protein, dietary fibre, B vitamins, iron, and zinc with no established ADI or regulatory restrictions. Antinutritional factors (phytates, trypsin inhibitors, raffinose oligosaccharides) present in raw grain are substantially reduced by soaking, cooking, and fermentation, minimising adverse effects in healthy adults. No IARC carcinogenicity classification, no known ban in any jurisdiction, and no significant evidence of harm at typical dietary intakes.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia) | Approved | Pulses including black gram dhal are classified as whole foods under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. No ADI or maximum daily intake is set.source |
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Black gram is a traditional food legume widely consumed in the EU; it does not require novel food authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. No maximum residue limits specific to black gram dhal as a food.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Black gram dhal is a recognised pulse under FSSAI Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations; no maximum daily intake specified as it is a whole food, not an additive. Quality and hygiene standards apply under FSSAI Schedule for pulses.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Legumes including black gram are recognised as a whole food/grain legume; USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend 1.5 cups of legumes per week for a 2000 kcal diet. No ADI applicable.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1PubMed. Pigeonpea as an important food source. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2PubMed. Genetics, genomics, and breeding of black gram [Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper]. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3PubMed. Health-promoting benefits of lentils: Anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects, 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4PubMed. Seed Protein of Lentils: Current Status, Progress, and Food Applications, 2019. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5PubMed. Polyphenol-Rich Lentils and Their Health Promoting Effects, 2017. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
