Coriander Powder | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Coriander powder is the finely ground dried fruit (seed) of Coriandrum sativum L., one of the world's oldest cultivated spices, originating in the Middle East and Mediterranean region. It is used globally as a flavouring and seasoning in South Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and Mediterranean cuisines for its warm, citrusy-earthy aroma.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Coriander powder is broadly considered safe at normal culinary intake levels with no established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), and is classified as GRAS in the United States under 21 CFR 182.10. The primary food-safety concerns are extrinsic — namely microbial contamination (particularly Salmonella), adulteration, and potential heavy-metal accumulation from soil or improper processing — rather than intrinsic chemical toxicity. Rare allergic reactions may occur, especially in individuals sensitive to other plants in the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family such as celery, carrot, or parsley.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is permitted as a food ingredient and natural spice in the EU without quantitative use limitations. Key components of coriander essential oil (including linalool) are authorised as food flavourings under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 without specific restrictions. EFSA (2013) assessed coriander seed oil safety and found no genotoxicity concerns at typical use levels. Coriander oil is additionally authorised as a feed additive per Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Regulated under Chapter 2.9 (Salt, Spices, Condiments and Related Products) of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. FSSAI standards specify identity, purity, and quality criteria including moisture content, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and volatile oil content, and prohibit adulteration and contamination with mould, insects, or rodent matter.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) is explicitly listed as GRAS under 21 CFR Part 182.10 (Spices and Other Natural Seasonings and Flavorings); no quantitative intake limit is imposed for culinary use. The FDA also addresses microbial safety of ground coriander within its Risk Profile on Pathogens and Filth in Spices (updated January 2018).source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Other — Individuals with documented allergy to other Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family plants — including celery, carrot, parsley, dill, or fennel — may experience cross-reactive IgE-mediated allergic reactions to coriander powder.

Pregnancy — Culinary amounts of coriander powder are generally considered safe during pregnancy, but high-dose supplemental or medicinal use is not adequately studied and should be reviewed with a healthcare provider.

Infants — Spices including coriander powder are generally not recommended for infants under 12 months due to the risk of gastrointestinal irritation and unestablished tolerance thresholds in very young children.

Ibs — Volatile oil components in coriander powder may exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), who are generally advised to exercise caution with aromatic spices.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. 21 CFR Part 182.10 — Spices and Other Natural Seasonings and Flavorings (GRAS). ecfr.gov
2PubMed. Safety assessment of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) essential oil as a food ingredient. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3FSSAI. Chapter 2: Food Product Standards — Salt, Spices, Condiments and Related Products (Version 3, May 2025), 2025. fssai.gov.in
4FDA. Questions & Answers on Improving the Safety of Spices — FDA Risk Profile on Pathogens and Filth in Spices (updated 2018), 2018. fda.gov
5PubMed. Quality control and in vitro antioxidant potential of Coriandrum sativum Linn — Ancient Science of Life, 2015, 2015. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
6EFSA. Safety of Coriander Seed Oil used as a flavouring substance — EFSA Journal 2013;11(10):3422, 2013.

Independently researched6 citations