About
What it is and where it shows up.
Chaat masala is a South Asian spice blend traditionally composed of amchur (dry mango powder), cumin, coriander, black salt (kala namak), black pepper, dried ginger, asafoetida (hing), and chilli. It is used as a finishing seasoning for street foods, salads, fruits, and snacks to impart a tangy, salty, and pungent flavour profile.
Safety summary
The regulatory and scientific consensus.
Chaat masala is generally safe for the healthy adult population when used in culinary quantities as a flavouring spice blend; no ADI has been established for the blend as a whole. Its primary safety concern is its high sodium content (from both black salt and table salt), which may exacerbate blood pressure in sodium-sensitive individuals. Non-branded or adulterated products carry a documented risk of illegal synthetic dye contamination (e.g., Sudan dyes) and microbial hazards such as Salmonella.
Regulatory landscape
What food-safety regulators have decided.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Individual component spices are approved for use in food under EU food law. Chaat masala as a blend is not separately evaluated by EFSA; it falls under general spice/condiment regulations. Sudan dyes (sometimes found as adulterants in spice powders including chaat masala) are banned in the EU under Commission Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and associated decisions. Products must comply with EU maximum residue limits (MRLs) for pesticides and contaminants.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Chapter 2.9 of FSSAI Food Product Standards covers salt, spices, condiments and related products. All ingredients used in mixed masala powder must either be standardised or permitted under FSS regulations. Spice blends used as flavouring agents (including mixed masalas) are exempt from mandatory nutritional labelling except for 'sprinkler masalas' meant for direct consumption, which require full labelling under the FSSAI Labelling and Display Regulations, 2020.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Individual component spices (cumin, coriander, black pepper, ginger, chilli, etc.) are on the FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list. Chaat masala as a proprietary blend is not individually listed; it is regulated as a spice mixture. FDA has issued alerts for Salmonella contamination in some Indian masala brands not labeled for US distribution; importers must comply with FDA import regulations.source |
Who should approach with care
Whose guidance would steer them away.
Hypertension — Chaat masala contains significant sodium from both black salt (kala namak) and table salt; high sodium intake is a well-established risk factor for elevated blood pressure and cardiovascular events, and individuals with hypertension should limit intake.
Kidney Disease — The high sodium and potassium content in black salt (kala namak) can be problematic for individuals with impaired renal function who struggle to regulate electrolyte balance.
Heart Disease — The high sodium content of chaat masala may exacerbate fluid retention and blood pressure concerns in individuals with heart disease, for whom dietary sodium restriction is commonly advised.
Ibs — Chaat masala contains asafoetida (hing) and high-FODMAP spices that may trigger gastrointestinal symptoms including bloating and cramping in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.
Infants — Chaat masala is not appropriate for infants due to its high sodium content, pungent spices (chilli, black pepper), and asafoetida, which are unsuitable for infant digestive systems and kidneys.
Research citations
The sources behind this verdict.
- 1FSSAI. FSSAI Food Product Standards Chapter 2.9: Salt, Spices, Condiments and Related Products. fssai.gov.in
- 2FDA. Public Health Alert: Recalled Everest and Maggi Brand Spices Because of Possible Health Risk (Salmonella), 2023. fda.gov
- 3PubMed. Banned Sudan dyes in spices available at markets in Karachi, Pakistan, 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Third Amendment Regulations, 2020 — Standards for Mixed Masala Powder, 2020. fssai.gov.in
- 5PubMed. Sodium Intake and Hypertension, 2019. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Independently researched5 citations