About
Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a tropical fruit widely consumed for its unique sweet-tart flavour, aroma, and nutritional richness, including vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, and bioactive compounds. It is used fresh, canned, juiced, and as a flavouring or ingredient in a broad range of food products globally.
Safety summary
Pineapple is broadly safe for the general adult population and has no established ADI, as it is a whole food with no significant regulatory concern at normal dietary intakes. Its naturally occurring enzyme bromelain is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA and has not been linked to clinically apparent liver injury. Sporadic reports of IgE-mediated allergic reactions, gastrointestinal sensitivity, and potential interactions with anticoagulant drugs (e.g., warfarin, aspirin) exist, particularly with concentrated bromelain supplementation rather than typical fruit consumption.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Pineapple is a whole food freely permitted for sale and consumption across EU member states with no specific additive restrictions. Bromelain derived from pineapple is approved for oral and topical use in Europe, mainly for surgical wounds and inflammation.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Pineapple and pineapple juice are regulated under FSSAI Food Products Standards and Food Additives Regulations 2011, Chapter 2.3 (Fruit & Vegetable Products). Fresh fruit is generally free of additives. Pineapple juice standards require a minimum of 22° Brix soluble solids. Tin (Sn) contamination limit for canned pineapple juice is 250 mg/kg per FSSAI Contaminants Regulations.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Pineapple is a whole food recognized as safe for consumption; regulated under 21 CFR Part 145 (canned pineapple) and 21 CFR Part 146 (pineapple juice). Bromelain derived from pineapple is classified as GRAS.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1NCCIH. Bromelain: Usefulness and Safety. nccih.nih.gov
- 2FDA. FDA Concludes Consultation on Pink Flesh Pineapple. cacmap.fda.gov
- 3other. Bromelain - LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury, 2024. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4PubMed. Efficacy and safety of bromelain: A systematic review and meta-analysis, 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011 — Chapter 2.3: Fruit & Vegetable Products, 2023. fssai.gov.in
- 6PubMed. Pineapple (Ananas comosus): A comprehensive review of nutritional values, volatile compounds, health benefits, and potential food products, 2020. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
