About
Mulberry pulp is the edible, fleshy portion of the fruit of Morus species (primarily Morus alba and Morus nigra), used as a food ingredient in juices, jams, beverages, confections, and dairy products for its flavour, colour, and nutritional value. It is rich in anthocyanins, vitamin C, and polyphenols, contributing both taste and antioxidant properties to food products.
Safety summary
Mulberry pulp is broadly considered safe for the general adult population when consumed as food, with no known ADI restriction and a long history of human consumption across Asia and Europe. Clinical studies lasting up to 12 weeks report no serious adverse effects, and the most commonly observed side effects are mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating, gas, and loose stools. Persons taking antidiabetic medications should exercise caution, as mulberry may have an additive blood-glucose-lowering effect.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Mulberry fruit (Morus spp.) is a conventional food with a long history of safe consumption in the EU and is not subject to novel food restrictions. Mulberry leaf extracts and concentrated preparations may fall under the Novel Foods Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 if substantially modified, but whole fruit pulp used in traditional applications is exempt. No specific EFSA opinion establishes an ADI for the fruit pulp.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Fruits and vegetables listed in Indian Food Composition Tables (NIN, ICMR), which include mulberry, may be used as such or as processed ingredients (including pulp and extracts) in foods and nutraceuticals. Specific health benefit claims require prior FSSAI approval under FSS (Approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations, 2017.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Mulberry fruit pulp is not a listed food additive but is treated as a conventional whole food/fruit ingredient. Under 21 CFR 170.30, substances with a substantial history of common use in food prior to 1958 may qualify as GRAS by experience; mulberry has a long consumption history. No specific GRAS notice for mulberry fruit pulp has been filed. No premarket approval is required for use as a fruit ingredient in conventional food.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1NCCIH. White Mulberry Leaf: Usefulness and Safety. nccih.nih.gov
- 2FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations – Chapter 2.3: Fruit & Vegetable Products. fssai.gov.in
- 3FDA. Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) – FDA Overview. fda.gov
- 4PubMed. Nutritional constituents of mulberry and their potential applications in food and pharmaceuticals: A review, 2021. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5FSSAI. Implementation of Health Supplements Regulations – Advisory on Use of Fruits and Vegetables as Nutraceutical Ingredients, 2017. fssai.gov.in