Black Raisins | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Black raisins are sun-dried or mechanically dehydrated dark-variety grapes (Vitis vinifera) consumed globally as a snack and culinary ingredient. They are naturally concentrated in sugars (glucose and fructose), dietary fibre, iron, potassium, and polyphenolic antioxidants including anthocyanins and resveratrol.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Black raisins are a whole conventional food with no food-additive classification, no established ADI, and no IARC carcinogenicity designation; they are broadly recognised as safe by all major regulatory bodies. Their high natural sugar content (approximately 59–72 g per 100 g) warrants portion moderation in individuals with diabetes or metabolic syndrome. They are also high in fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPs) and potassium, making them a concern for people with irritable bowel syndrome or chronic kidney disease.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia)	Approved	Raisins are approved as a conventional dried fruit under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. Subject to general contaminant and pesticide residue standards. No specific ADI required.source
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Raisins are approved as a conventional dried fruit under EU general food law, Regulation (EC) No 178/2002. Subject to contaminant limits under Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 (e.g., ochratoxin A maximum 10 µg/kg for dried vine fruit) and pesticide MRLs under Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. No E-number or ADI applicable.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Quality and safety standards for raisins are specified in Section 2.3.47 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, covering moisture content, extraneous matter, and pesticide residue limits.source
MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) (Japan)	Approved	Raisins are recognised as a safe conventional dried fruit under Japanese food hygiene law. Imported raisins must comply with Japanese pesticide residue positive list controls (2006 revision).source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Diabetes — Black raisins contain approximately 59–72 g of natural sugars per 100 g (predominantly glucose and fructose), which can cause rapid postprandial blood glucose elevation; strict portion control is advised per standard diabetic dietary guidance.

Ibs — Raisins are high in FODMAPs (excess fructose and sorbitol), which are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and can trigger bloating, cramping, and altered bowel habits in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.

Kidney Disease — Raisins are a concentrated source of potassium (approximately 749 mg per 100 g); individuals with impaired renal clearance are at risk of hyperkalaemia and should limit intake under medical supervision.

Gout — The substantial fructose load in raisins can increase endogenous uric acid synthesis, potentially precipitating or worsening gout flares in susceptible individuals.

Infants — Whole raisins are a recognised choking hazard for children under 4 years of age and should only be offered in puréed or finely chopped form; their high sugar density is also inappropriate as a primary food for infants under 12 months.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. 21 CFR Part 52 – Standards of Identity for Processed Raisins. accessdata.fda.gov
2PubMed. Health Benefits of Dietary Fiber and Polyphenols from Dried Fruits Including Raisins: A Review, 2020. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3PubMed. Raisins and additional walking have distinct effects on plasma lipids and inflammatory cytokines (Puglisi et al.), 2013. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 – Manual of Methods of Analysis of Foods: Fruits and Vegetables (Section 2.3.47 – Raisins), 2011. fssai.gov.in
5other. Codex Alimentarius Standard for Raisins – CODEX STAN 67-1981 (Revised 2003), 2003. fao.org

Independently researched5 citations