Pomegranate Juice Concentrate

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Pomegranate juice concentrate (PJC) is derived from the fruit of Punica granatum L. by pressing and concentrating the juice of ripe pomegranates, resulting in a product rich in polyphenols, ellagitannins (principally punicalagin), anthocyanins, and organic acids. It is used as a natural flavouring, colorant, functional food ingredient, and dietary supplement in beverages, dairy products, confectionery, and nutraceuticals.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Pomegranate juice concentrate is broadly considered safe for the general adult population, with no established ADI and no known toxicity at normal dietary intake levels; it has GRAS status in the United States for specific food applications. Due to its natural sugar content, high-volume consumption warrants moderation, particularly for individuals managing blood glucose. It may interact with certain medications metabolised by CYP3A4 or CYP2C9 enzymes (similar to grapefruit juice), warranting caution in individuals on relevant drug therapies.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia)	Approved	Permitted as a natural fruit juice product under Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code Standard 2.6.1 (Fruit Juice and Vegetable Juice). No additive restrictions; standard juice labelling requirements apply.source
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Pomegranate juice concentrate is permitted as a natural fruit juice ingredient under EU food law (Regulation EC No 1333/2008 and Directive 2012/12/EU on fruit juices). No novel food restriction applies as it has a documented history of consumption in the EU prior to May 1997. No E-number assigned as it is not classified as a food additive.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Pomegranate (Dadima / Punica granatum) is an approved plant source under FSSAI. Concentrated fruit juice is regulated under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Chapter 2.3 (Fruit & Vegetable Products). Labels must declare 'reconstituted' when juice is reconstituted from concentrate.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Pomegranate extract (whole fruit) holds GRAS status (21 CFR Part 170, Subpart E) for use in dairy products, non-alcoholic juice beverages, and chocolate candy at ≤50 mg per serving. Pomegranate juice concentrate as a natural fruit juice is regulated under FDA juice HACCP regulations (21 CFR Part 120); no specific additive restriction applies.

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Diabetes — Pomegranate juice concentrate has demonstrable hypoglycemic effects (inhibition of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, DPP-4) that may potentiate blood-glucose-lowering medications, requiring medical monitoring of antidiabetic drug doses.

Hypertension — Pomegranate juice may lower blood pressure and could have an additive effect when combined with antihypertensive medications, warranting physician oversight.

Liver Disease — Pomegranate juice concentrate may inhibit CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 hepatic enzymes, potentially altering the metabolism of multiple medications in individuals with compromised liver function.

Kidney Disease — Pomegranate juice concentrate is relatively high in potassium; individuals with reduced kidney function and hyperkalemia risk should limit intake.

Infants — Concentrated fruit juices including pomegranate are not recommended for infants under 12 months per standard paediatric dietary guidelines due to high sugar concentration and displacement of breast milk or formula.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. GRAS Notice: Pomella® Pomegranate Extract (Whole Fruit) – Verdure Sciences / REJIMUS INC.. fda.gov
2other. Pomegranate: Usefulness and Safety – NCCIH Health Information. nccih.nih.gov
3PubMed. Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Activities of Pomegranate Juice Concentrate, 2023. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4PubMed. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors and Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Clinical Studies, 2022. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5PubMed. Potential Hypoglycemic Effect of Pomegranate Juice and Its Mechanism of Action: A Systematic Review, 2019. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
6PubMed. Could Pomegranate Juice Help in the Control of Inflammatory Diseases?, 2017. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Independently researched6 citations