Bromelain | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Bromelain is a group of sulfhydryl-containing proteolytic (protein-digesting) enzymes extracted from the stem and fruit of the pineapple plant (Ananas comosus). It is used in food processing as a meat tenderizer and as an enzyme preparation in bakery products, and is widely marketed as a dietary supplement with anti-inflammatory and digestive properties.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Bromelain is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA and JECFA assigns an ADI of 'not limited', with no evidence of carcinogenicity or hepatotoxicity in authoritative reviews. The most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal (stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea), and allergic reactions can occur particularly in individuals sensitive to pineapple, latex, or related pollens. Its anticoagulant properties present a potential bleeding risk in people taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, and safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Used as a food enzyme and processing aid in the EU; food enzymes are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1332/2008. No E-number is assigned as bromelain is classified as a food enzyme (not a food additive in the EU framework). EMA confirmed JECFA's ADI of 'not limited'. Naturally present in pineapple; also used as a meat tenderizer. Enzyme activity is largely destroyed at 80°C within 8 minutes.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	In 2022, FDA approved a prescription drug product containing bromelain (NexoBrid) for topical debridement of severe burns in adults — a pharmaceutical use separate from its food additive status.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Pregnancy — Safety during pregnancy has not been established; NCCIH/NIH notes little is known about its safe use during pregnancy, and historical use as a uterine stimulant raises theoretical concern.

Lactation — Safety during breastfeeding has not been established; NCCIH/NIH notes that insufficient data exist to confirm safety during lactation.

Ibs — People with peptic ulcer or digestive disorders should not take bromelain without consulting a healthcare professional, as its proteolytic activity may worsen gastrointestinal symptoms.

Ibd — Individuals with inflammatory bowel conditions should seek medical advice before use, as bromelain may aggravate existing gastrointestinal inflammation or mucosal irritation.

Heart Disease — Patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy (e.g., warfarin, clopidogrel) for cardiovascular conditions should avoid or consult a doctor, as bromelain's anticoagulant properties may potentiate bleeding risk.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1WHO. JECFA Food Additives and Contaminants Database — Bromelain (INS 1101iii, CAS 9001-00-7). apps.who.int
2other. Bromelain: Usefulness and Safety — National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH/NIH). nccih.nih.gov
3FDA. Food Additive Status List — Bromelain (Bromelin), 2026. fda.gov
4other. Bromelain — LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury (NIH/NCBI), 2024. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5PubMed. Current Uses of Bromelain in Children: A Narrative Review, 2024. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
6PubMed. Efficacy and safety of bromelain: A systematic review and meta-analysis, 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Independently researched8 citations