Foxtail Millet Flour

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Foxtail millet flour is a finely ground flour derived from Setaria italica, one of the oldest cultivated cereal grains belonging to the family Poaceae. Naturally gluten-free and rich in protein, dietary fibre, B-complex vitamins, minerals, and phenolic antioxidants, it is widely used in breads, biscuits, noodles, porridges, weaning foods, and fermented products across Asia and Africa.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Foxtail millet flour is a traditional whole-grain food with no established Acceptable Daily Intake, broadly approved by major food regulatory bodies and carrying no significant safety concerns for the general population. It contains naturally occurring goitrogenic compounds that may interfere with thyroid iodine uptake when consumed in very high quantities by individuals with existing thyroid disorders or iodine deficiency. Moderate levels of antinutrients such as phytates and tannins are present but are substantially reduced by standard food-processing methods including soaking, fermentation, and heat treatment.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) has a documented history of consumption in parts of Europe and is not listed as a novel food requiring authorisation under EU Regulation 2015/2283. It is traded as a conventional cereal grain ingredient under EU General Food Law (Regulation EC No 178/2002). No specific EFSA scientific opinion on foxtail millet flour safety has been published, consistent with its status as a conventional food ingredient. No E-number or additive listing applies.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	FSSAI Guidance Note (2023) formally initiated the comprehensive group standard for millets including foxtail millet, coinciding with the UN International Year of Millets 2023. The standard aims to ensure availability of good-quality, standardised millets in domestic and global markets.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Foxtail millet flour is regulated as a conventional whole-grain cereal flour under FDA 21 CFR Part 137 (Cereal Flours and Related Products). As a traditional cereal grain with a long history of human consumption, no separate GRAS petition or food additive authorisation is required. No specific restrictions or maximum use levels have been set.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Thyroid Disease — Like other millets, foxtail millet contains goitrogenic compounds that may interfere with iodine uptake and thyroid hormone synthesis; individuals with hypothyroidism, goitre, or iodine deficiency should moderate intake and consult a healthcare provider, particularly if consuming large quantities regularly.

Ibs — Foxtail millet flour contains approximately 19 g/100 g total dietary fibre, with a high insoluble fraction; the elevated fibre load may exacerbate bloating, gas, or altered bowel habit in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome, particularly those following a low-FODMAP diet.

Ibd — The high insoluble dietary fibre content of foxtail millet flour may aggravate gastrointestinal symptoms during active flares of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis); consultation with a registered dietitian is advisable during active disease phases.

Infants — Foxtail millet flour is not suitable as a first food for infants under 6 months; when introduced as a complementary food, the antinutrient content (phytates, tannins) may reduce iron and zinc bioavailability in infants with high micronutrient requirements, and appropriate processing (soaking, fermentation) should be ensured.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 – Chapter 2.4: Cereals and Cereal Products. fssai.gov.in
2PubMed. Enhancing the nutritional value and antioxidant properties of foxtail millet by solid-state fermentation with edible fungi, 2024. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3PubMed. Assessment of sensory and nutritional attributes of foxtail millet-based food products, 2023. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4FSSAI. FSSAI Guidance Note: Formulation of New Standards for Millets including Foxtail Millet (Kanngani/Kakun) – International Year of Millets 2023, 2023. fssai.gov.in
5PubMed. Physical, functional, nutritional and antioxidant properties of foxtail millet in Bangladesh, 2022. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Independently researched5 citations