Pomegranate Seed | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Pomegranate seed is the edible seed of Punica granatum L., used whole, powdered, or as a cold-pressed oil; it is rich in the unique conjugated fatty acid punicic acid, polyphenols (including punicalagins and gallic acid), phytosterols, and tocopherols. It is used in food products as a functional ingredient, natural antioxidant, dietary fibre source, and antimicrobial agent.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Pomegranate seed and its derivatives are broadly considered safe for the general adult population, with no evidence of genotoxicity or cytotoxicity reported in subchronic animal and human studies; pomegranate fruit extract was granted GRAS status by the US FDA. Some individuals may experience mild gastrointestinal symptoms, and rare allergic reactions have been documented. No established Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) exists for the whole seed or its oil, as neither EFSA nor FDA has set a numerical ADI.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
Health Canada (Canada)	Restricted	Health Canada assessed pomegranate rind extract (which includes aril seeds) as a supplemental ingredient; additional toxicological and nutritional safety data requested before full approval as a supplemental food ingredient. Pomegranate seeds consumed as part of whole fruit are permitted as conventional food.source
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	EFSA evaluated health claims for pomegranate/pomegranate juice in 2010 (EFSA Journal); pomegranate seed as a whole food ingredient is permitted under general food law (Regulation EC 178/2002); no specific maximum use level or ADI has been established for pomegranate seed per se.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Whole fruit pomegranate extract (GRN 001064) concluded GRAS under 21 CFR §170.30(a) and (b); intended use in dairy products, non-alcoholic beverages, and chocolate candy at ≤50 mg per serving, not exceeding 1000 mg/day; not for use in infant formula or foods marketed towards infants and young children.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Infants — The FDA GRAS notice for whole fruit pomegranate extract explicitly states it is not intended for use in infant formula or foods formulated for infants and young children, reflecting an absence of safety data in this population.

Other — Rare allergic reactions to pomegranate have been reported (NIH/NCCIH); individuals with known hypersensitivity to pomegranate or related Punicaceae fruits should exercise caution.

Pregnancy — While pomegranate juice consumed during pregnancy is considered likely safe per NIH/NCCIH, concentrated seed extracts and supplements lack sufficient clinical data in pregnant women to confirm safety at supplemental doses.

Kidney Disease — Pomegranate seed and its extracts are rich in polyphenols and potassium; individuals with kidney disease requiring dietary potassium or oxalate restriction should consult a physician before regular consumption of pomegranate seed supplements.

Ibs — Pomegranate seed powder is high in dietary fibre and tannins, which may exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating or diarrhoea in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), consistent with NCCIH reports of digestive tract symptoms.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1other. NCCIH: Pomegranate – Usefulness and Safety. nccih.nih.gov
2PubMed. Pomegranate seeds: a comprehensive review of traditional uses, chemical composition, and pharmacological properties, 2024. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3FDA. GRAS Notice No. GRN 001064 – Whole Fruit Pomegranate Extract (Verdure Sciences / Pomella®), 2023. fda.gov
4PubMed. Functional Compounds of Cold-Pressed Pomegranate Seed Oil: Fatty Acids and Phytosterols Profile as Quality Biomarkers for Origin Discrimination, 2023. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5PubMed. Food Applications and Potential Health Benefits of Pomegranate and its Derivatives, 2020. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
6EFSA. Pomegranate/pomegranate juice related health claims – EFSA Journal 2010, 2010. efsa.europa.eu

Independently researched6 citations