About
What it is and where it shows up.
Kalanamak is an ancient aromatic rice landrace (Oryza sativa L.) native to the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, India, known for its distinctive black husk, fine grain, and pleasant fragrance. It is cultivated as a heritage grain prized for its nutritional richness, antioxidant potential, and traditional medicinal uses.
Safety summary
The regulatory and scientific consensus.
Kalanamak rice is a whole, unprocessed heritage grain with no known toxicity or adverse effects for the general adult population; it is rich in polyphenols, antioxidants, and micronutrients. No Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) applies as it is a whole food, not a food additive. Individuals with diagnosed rice allergy (rare) or strict low-glycaemic dietary requirements should exercise standard caution.
Regulatory landscape
What food-safety regulators have decided.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | No EU-specific restriction on Kalanamak rice. Regulated as an unprocessed cereal grain; standard food safety and contaminant regulations (e.g., arsenic limits in rice) apply under Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 and updates.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Regulated as a cereal/rice product under FSSAI Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Chapter 2.4 (Cereals and Cereal Products). No specific ban or restriction. Kalanamak rice holds a Geographical Indication (GI) tag from India (GI Tag No. 16) for the Siddharth Nagar and surrounding districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Rice (Oryza sativa) has a well-documented history of safe consumption dating back more than 9,000 years; no specific restrictions apply to Kalanamak as a rice variety. Whole grain rice is broadly recognised as safe for consumption.source |
Who should approach with care
Whose guidance would steer them away.
Diabetes — Like most white or polished rice varieties, Kalanamak rice can contribute to postprandial blood glucose spikes; individuals with diabetes should monitor portion sizes and prefer the unpolished/brown form.
Ibs — High-starch foods including rice may trigger symptoms in some IBS subtypes; patients should assess individual tolerance, particularly for large servings.
Kidney Disease — Rice contains phosphorus and potassium; individuals with advanced kidney disease on mineral-restricted diets should consult a dietitian regarding serving size.
Research citations
The sources behind this verdict.
- 1FDA. GRAS Notice 000609 — Rice Protein (Oryza sativa). fda.gov
- 2PubMed. Nutritional analysis of rice landraces from southern Odisha, India, 2024. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3PubMed. Metabolomic analysis for disclosing nutritional and therapeutic prospective of traditional rice cultivars of Cauvery deltaic region, India, 2023. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 — Chapter 2.4: Cereals and Cereal Products, 2011. fssai.gov.in
Independently researched4 citations