Dry Mango Powder | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Dry mango powder (amchur) is produced by grinding clean, sun-dried unripe mango slices (Mangifera indica L.) and is widely used in South Asian cuisines as a natural souring and flavouring agent imparting a characteristic tangy, fruity taste. It is prized for its acidic profile, antioxidant-rich phytochemical content (polyphenols, mangiferin, vitamins), and use in chutneys, marinades, spice blends, and meat tenderising.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Dry mango powder is a traditional natural food ingredient with no formal ADI and a well-established safety record at culinary use levels; it is rich in polyphenols, vitamins, and mangiferin with demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in published research. Individuals sensitive to the Anacardiaceae plant family (cashew, pistachio) may experience cross-reactive allergic reactions. In concentrated dried form it delivers significant natural sugars and organic acids, warranting caution for people with diabetes, kidney disease, or oxalate sensitivity.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	No E-number assigned; not regulated as a food additive under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. Treated as a natural food ingredient/spice under general food law (Regulation (EC) No 178/2002). No specific maximum use level or ADI established by EFSA; no safety concern has been flagged in the EFSA food ingredient opinions.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Regulated under Section 2.9.24 of FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations as a spice/condiment. Standards: moisture ≤12%, total ash ≤6% (salt-free basis), ash insoluble in dilute HCl ≤1.5%, crude fibre ≤6%. No added colouring, flavouring, or preservatives permitted except edible common salt up to 5% by weight on dry basis. Must be free from mould, fungus, insect infestation, and rodent contamination.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Not listed as a distinct synthetic food additive; regulated as a natural dried fruit/spice ingredient recognised as safe under the common-use-in-food GRAS pathway (21 CFR 170.30(c)). FDA treats spices and natural dried fruit powders with a long history of safe use as GRAS without a separately established maximum use level or ADI.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Nut Allergy — Mango belongs to the Anacardiaceae family (same as cashews and pistachios); individuals with tree nut or Anacardiaceae sensitivity may experience cross-reactive allergic responses including oral allergy syndrome or contact urticaria.

Diabetes — Concentrated dried mango powder contains significant natural sugars; although a clinical study (PMC4155986) suggests potential glycaemic benefit at supplemental doses, large culinary quantities may contribute to carbohydrate load and warrant portion moderation for people managing blood glucose.

Kidney Disease — Mango is a source of oxalates and potassium; in concentrated powder form it may contribute excess oxalate and potassium intake, which is a concern for patients with chronic kidney disease or a history of oxalate kidney stones.

Ibs — Dried mango products can be relatively high in fermentable carbohydrates (FODMAPs such as fructose); amchur used in larger amounts may exacerbate bloating, cramping, or diarrhoea in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1PubMed. Mangifera indica L., By-Products, and Mangiferin on Cardio-Metabolic and Other Health Conditions: A Systematic Review, 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations – Chapter 2.9: Salt, Spices, Condiments and Related Products, Section 2.9.24 Dried Mango Powder (Amchur), 2023. fssai.gov.in
3PubMed. Nutritional Composition and Bioactive Compounds in Three Different Parts of Mango Fruit, 2021. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4PubMed. Multifaceted Health Benefits of Mangifera indica L. (Mango): The Inestimable Value of Orchards Recently Planted in Sicilian Rural Areas, 2017. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5PubMed. Mango Supplementation Improves Blood Glucose in Obese Individuals, 2014. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Independently researched5 citations