About
Cardamom seed oil is a volatile essential oil steam-distilled from the dried seeds of Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton, a member of the ginger (Zingiberaceae) family native to South Asia. It is used in food, beverages, confectionery, and meat products as a natural flavouring agent to impart warm, spicy, and aromatic notes characteristic of cardamom.
Safety summary
Cardamom seed oil is broadly considered safe at typical food-use concentrations and has a well-established history of consumption as a spice-derived natural flavouring. EFSA's 2019 FEEDAP opinion concluded it poses no adverse effect on animal health, consumer safety, or the environment at regulatory use levels. At concentrated (undiluted) industrial form, the EU safety data sheet identifies hazards of skin irritation, eye irritation, and potential allergic skin reactions, posing risk primarily to handlers rather than consumers.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Authorised as a sensory additive (flavouring compound) in animal feed under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1098 at up to 5 mg/kg feed. For food use, permitted as a flavouring preparation under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 without requiring separate evaluation, provided scientific evidence does not indicate a safety risk and consumer is not misled. Protective measures required for handlers of the undiluted concentrate.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a recognised permitted spice under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Chapter 2.9. Its essential oil is recognised as a natural flavouring derived from a permitted food ingredient; no specific ADI or maximum use level is separately established for the oil.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Listed as GRAS under 21 CFR 182.20 (essential oils, oleoresins, and natural extractives). Also listed in FDA's Substances Added to Food (EAFUS) inventory as a flavouring substance bearing FEMA No. 2241. Use permitted at GMP levels in food.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1FDA. Cardamom Seed, Oil (Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton) — Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS). hfpappexternal.fda.gov
- 2other. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1098 of 24 July 2020 — authorisation of cardamom essential oil as a sensory feed additive, 2020. eur-lex.europa.eu
- 3EFSA. Safety and efficacy of an essential oil from Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton when used as a sensory additive in feed for all animal species, 2019. efsa.europa.eu
- 4PubMed. Safety and efficacy of an essential oil from Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton when used as a sensory additive in feed for all animal species (PMC full text), 2019. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 — Chapter 2.9: Salt, Spices, Condiments and Related Products, 2011. fssai.gov.in
