Freeze-Dried Cranberries

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Freeze-dried cranberries are whole or powdered fruits of Vaccinium macrocarpon that have been lyophilized to remove moisture while preserving bioactive polyphenols, proanthocyanidins, anthocyanins, and dietary fiber. They are used as a nutrient-dense food ingredient, snack, and dietary supplement ingredient valued for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and urinary-tract health properties.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Freeze-dried cranberries are widely regarded as safe for the general adult population, with no established ADI and a long history of conventional food use recognized by the FDA. EFSA assessed cranberry extract powder (a concentrated derivative) and found no safety concerns at typical intake levels. High intake may interact with warfarin (anticoagulant) due to polyphenol content, and the natural oxalate load warrants caution in individuals prone to kidney stones.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	EFSA NDA Panel assessed cranberry extract powder (55–60% proanthocyanidins) as a novel food ingredient under Regulation (EC) No 258/97 and found no safety concerns. Whole freeze-dried cranberry is a conventional food in the EU and not subject to novel food authorization. Mean adult intake from proposed food uses estimated at 68–74 mg PACs/day; 95th percentile 192–219 mg/day.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Cranberries and all their dried/powdered conventional-food forms (including freeze-dried) are recognized as conventional foods with a long and established history of use under the FD&C Act sections 201(f) and 201(ff). No specific ADI has been set. Cranberry extract powder GRAS notice (GRN 873) filed by Ocean Spray was under FDA review as of 2020.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Kidney Disease — Cranberries are naturally high in oxalates, which can increase the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stone formation in susceptible individuals or those with existing kidney disease.

Heart Disease — Cranberry polyphenols have documented interactions with warfarin (a common anticoagulant prescribed for heart conditions), potentially enhancing its anticoagulant effect and increasing bleeding risk; patients on anticoagulation therapy should consult their doctor.

Infants — EFSA noted the cranberry extract novel food is not intended for children; the high acidity and polyphenol load of cranberry products are not appropriate for infants whose digestive systems are immature.

Ibs — Cranberries contain fermentable carbohydrates (fructose, sorbitol) that may trigger symptoms in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome sensitive to FODMAPs.

Gout — Cranberries contain salicylates and oxalates, which in high supplemental doses may affect uric acid excretion and should be consumed with caution by individuals with gout.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1PubMed. Formulation and Biopharmaceutical Evaluation of Capsules Containing Freeze-Dried Cranberry Fruit Powder, 2023. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2PubMed. A Freeze-Dried Cranberry Powder Consistently Enhances SCFA Production and Lowers Abundance of Opportunistic Pathogens In Vitro, 2022. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3PubMed. Daily consumption of cranberry improves endothelial function in healthy adults: a double blind randomized controlled trial, 2022. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4FDA. FDA Response to Health Claim Petition for Cranberries and Urinary Tract Infections (Docket No. FDA-2012-Q-0277), 2020. fda.gov
5EFSA. Safety of cranberry extract powder as a novel food ingredient pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 258/97, 2017. efsa.europa.eu

Independently researched5 citations