About
Nutmeg powder is the dried and finely ground seed kernel of Myristica fragrans, a tropical evergreen tree native to Indonesia. It is widely used as a culinary spice for its warm, sweet, and slightly nutty aromatic flavour in both savoury and sweet food preparations.
Safety summary
At normal culinary amounts (well below 1 g), nutmeg powder is safe and is GRAS-listed in the United States. However, consumption of large doses (approximately 5 g or more) can cause 'nutmeg intoxication'—characterised by hallucinations, tachycardia, nausea, dry mouth, and agitation—primarily attributed to the phenylpropanoid compound myristicin. Pregnant women, infants, and individuals with liver or neurological conditions are particularly advised to exercise caution, as myristicin may exert uterotonic, hepatotoxic, and neuroactive effects at elevated doses.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | EFSA classifies nutmeg as a spice seed (not a nut). It is permitted as a flavouring and spice under EU food law; no E-number is assigned. Regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 for contaminant limits.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Nutmeg (Jaiphal) is recognised as one of the most important tropical spice crops and is regulated under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Quality and safety standards (contaminants, microbiological limits) apply per FSS Act, 2006. Listed as a spice by the Spices Board of India.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Listed as GRAS under 21 CFR 182.10 as a spice and natural seasoning/flavoring; conditions of use: Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). No maximum intake limit established for culinary use.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1FDA. 21 CFR Part 182, Subpart A – Spices and Other Natural Seasonings and Flavorings (GRAS). ecfr.gov
- 2FSSAI. Guidance Document: Food Safety Management System (FSMS) for Spice Processing, 2018. fssai.gov.in
- 3other. European Parliament Parliamentary Question E-001554/2014: Public health standards for nutmeg under Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006, 2014. europarl.europa.eu
- 4PubMed. Low cost, high risk: accidental nutmeg intoxication, 2005. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5PubMed. Toxicological evaluation of myristicin, 1997. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
