About
Dill seeds are the dried, ripe fruits of Anethum graveolens L., an annual herb of the Apiaceae (parsley) family, used worldwide as a spice and flavouring in foods such as pickles, salads, sauces, and soups. The seeds contain volatile compounds — predominantly carvone — along with flavonoids, coumarins, and phenolic acids that contribute both their characteristic aroma and bioactive properties.
Safety summary
Dill seeds are broadly recognised as safe at culinary doses for the general adult population, with no established ADI or significant regulatory restriction. High-dose supplemental extracts have shown reproductive effects (reduced fertility) in animal studies, and caution is warranted for pregnant women due to potential uterotonic activity demonstrated in clinical research. No IARC classification exists; the ingredient is not banned in any major jurisdiction.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Dill seeds are permitted as a food flavouring ingredient in the EU. Dill seed oil/extract is covered under EU flavouring regulation. No specific ADI established for the whole seed at culinary intake levels.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Dill seeds (Shatapushpa/Suwa) are recognised as a traditional spice and are used in more than 56 Ayurvedic preparations regulated under FSSAI; no specific maximum daily intake set for culinary use.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Dill seeds and weed are identified by FDA as produce commodities rarely consumed raw and are thus exempt from certain FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirements.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1PubMed. Anti-Inflammation and Protective Effects of Anethum graveolens L. (Dill Seeds) on Esophageal Mucosa Damages in Reflux Esophagitis-Induced Rats, 2021. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2PubMed. The effects of Anethum graveolens (dill) supplementation on lipid profile and glycemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, 2021. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3PubMed. Effect of dill (Anethum Graveolens Linn) seed on the duration of labor: A systematic review, 2020. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4FDA. CPG Sec 525.750 Spices – Definitions, 2015. fda.gov
- 5PubMed. Effects of Anethum graveolens L. (dill) on Oocyte and Fertility of Adult Female Rats, 2015. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6PubMed. Anethum graveolens: An Indian traditional medicinal herb and spice, 2012. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
