About
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
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
| 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
Research citations
- 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
