Coriander Extract | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Coriander extract is derived from the seeds (fruit) of Coriandrum sativum L., a herb in the Apiaceae family, primarily via pressing, distillation, or solvent extraction. It is used in food and beverages as a natural flavouring and sensory additive, imparting characteristic citrus-herbal notes attributed mainly to linalool and petroselinic acid.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

EFSA's NDA Panel concluded that coriander seed oil is safe at proposed use levels (up to 600 mg/day as a food supplement) with no genotoxicity concerns and no adverse effects observed in a 6-month human study. Animal studies at very high doses showed liver weight increases and altered fatty acid profiles, but the NOAEL was more than 50-fold above the proposed human use level. No formal ADI has been established by JECFA or EFSA for coriander extract in food use, as it is regulated primarily as a natural flavouring with a long history of safe consumption.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Coriander oil approved as a sensory additive (flavouring) in animal feed under Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003; safe up to 30 mg/kg complete feed for most target species. Not a direct human food additive regulation.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Coriander (dhania) is recognised by FSSAI as a permitted natural spice and flavouring under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. No specific maximum limit established for coriander extract used as a natural flavouring.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Coriander and coriander-derived flavourings are listed in FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory and affirmed as GRAS under 21 CFR 182.10 (spices and natural flavourings). FEMA has independently evaluated coriander for GRAS status as a flavouring substance.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Pregnancy — Coriander seed/oil has been used in traditional medicine as an emmenagogue (stimulating uterine contractions) at medicinal doses; while culinary amounts are considered safe, high-dose supplemental extracts should be avoided during pregnancy as a precaution due to lack of adequate safety data.

Shellfish Allergy — Coriander is a member of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family, and cross-reactivity with other Apiaceae members (e.g., celery, carrot) has been documented; individuals with related plant-food allergies or oral allergy syndrome should exercise caution.

Infants — No specific safety data exist for concentrated coriander extract in infants; regulatory assessments (EFSA) were conducted for healthy adults only, and supplemental use in infants is not supported.

Liver Disease — High-dose coriander seed oil in animal studies produced increased liver weight and fat infiltration, suggesting that individuals with pre-existing liver conditions should avoid supplemental doses beyond normal dietary intake.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. Substances Added to Food — Coriander (FDA EAFUS/HFP Inventory). hfpappexternal.fda.gov
2FDA. 21 CFR 182.10 — Spices and Other Natural Seasonings and Flavourings. accessdata.fda.gov
3EFSA. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil obtained from the fruit of Coriandrum sativum L. (coriander oil) (FEFANA asbl), 2023. efsa.europa.eu
4EFSA. Safety of coriander seed oil as a novel food ingredient, 2013. efsa.europa.eu

Independently researched4 citations