Red Sorghum | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Red sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a gluten-free ancient cereal grain distinguished by its red pericarp, which is rich in 3-deoxyanthocyanidins, tannins, phenolic acids, and other antioxidant polyphenols. It is used as a whole grain staple food, flour substitute, natural food colourant, and functional food ingredient across Africa, Asia, and increasingly in Western gluten-free markets.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Red sorghum is broadly safe for the general adult population with no established ADI restrictions; it is a recognised whole grain with a favourable safety profile across major jurisdictions. High-tannin varieties may reduce protein and mineral (Fe, Zn) bioavailability, and diets heavily dominated by sorghum without diversification carry a theoretical risk of tryptophan/niacin deficit (pellagra risk). No IARC classification exists; no bans in any major jurisdiction.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia)	Approved	Sorghum grain is permitted as a cereal food under the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code; no ADI established.source
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Sorghum is recognised as a conventional cereal food under EU food law; no specific additive authorisation needed for whole grain use. Sorghum-derived 3-deoxyanthocyanin colorants are under ongoing novel food/natural colorant review.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Jowar (sorghum) is listed as a permitted cereal grain under FSSAI Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011; no maximum limit set as it is a staple grain.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Sorghum grain is recognised as a conventional food/whole grain ingredient. Used as a gluten-free wheat substitute under 21 CFR general food standards; no specific additive listing required.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Gluten Intolerance — While red sorghum is intrinsically gluten-free and safe for most celiac patients (gluten levels below 20 mg/kg), cross-contamination during processing is possible; celiac patients should verify certified gluten-free labelling before consumption.

Infants — High-tannin sorghum varieties can reduce protein and mineral bioavailability; infants and young children reliant heavily on sorghum-based porridges may be at risk of Fe and Zn deficiency if dietary diversification is inadequate.

Ibs — Sorghum contains resistant starch and dietary fibre fractions that, while generally beneficial, may exacerbate bloating or discomfort in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome sensitive to high-fermentable-fibre foods.

Other — Individuals with very low dietary diversity who consume sorghum as the dominant staple grain are at theoretical risk of tryptophan and niacin deficit (pellagra), as sorghum has an amino acid imbalance and lower niacin bioavailability compared to other cereals.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1PubMed. Sorghum phytonutrients and their health benefits: A systematic review from cell to clinical trials, 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2PubMed. Sorghum and health: An overview of potential protective health effects, 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3PubMed. Chemical Composition, Fatty Acid and Mineral Content of Food-Grade White, Red and Black Sorghum Varieties Grown in the Mediterranean Environment, 2022. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4PubMed. Sorghum Grain: From Genotype, Nutrition, and Phenolic Profile to Its Health Benefits and Food Applications, 2021. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5PubMed. Exploiting Nutritional Value of Staple Foods in the World's Semi-Arid Areas: Risks, Benefits, Challenges and Opportunities of Sorghum, 2015. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
6PubMed. DNA Damage Protecting Activity and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Anthocyanins from Red Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) Bran, 2012.

Independently researched6 citations