Rosehip Extract | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Rosehip extract is a botanical extract derived from the fruit (hips) of Rosa species, primarily Rosa canina, valued for its exceptionally high vitamin C content, antioxidant polyphenols, and anti-inflammatory compounds such as galactolipids. It is used as a functional ingredient in food supplements, nutraceuticals, beverages, and functional foods for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and nutritive properties.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Rosehip extract is generally well-tolerated at typical food and supplement doses, with no established ADI and a broad consensus of safety for the general adult population. At high doses (as a concentrated vitamin C source), it may cause gastrointestinal upset such as nausea, diarrhea, or stomach cramps; excessive vitamin C intake may also increase oxalate excretion, raising theoretical risk of kidney stones. No IARC classification exists; no bans in any major regulatory jurisdiction have been identified.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Rosehip (Rosa canina) is included in the EFSA Compendium of Botanicals as a recognized botanical ingredient for use in food supplements; not assigned an E number as a food additive. Regulated as a botanical food supplement ingredient under EU Directive 2002/46/EC. EFSA has not issued a specific safety opinion restricting use at normal dietary levels.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Rosehip extract (in combination with Devil's claw extract and Boswellia serrata extract) approved under Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations, 2017 (Ref: 25/Std/PA/FSSAI/2022). Used in capsule format as a health supplement/nutraceutical. Prior FSSAI product-level approval required for non-specified food ingredient applications.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Listed in the FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) inventory as 'rose hips, extract (rosa spp.)'; recognized as a flavoring/functional ingredient with FEMA GRAS assessment; no specific CFR regulation mandating maximum use level for general food use.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Kidney Disease — High-dose rosehip extract is a concentrated source of vitamin C, which can increase urinary oxalate excretion and may elevate kidney stone risk, particularly in individuals with a history of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis or impaired renal function.

Pregnancy — While rosehip fruit is a traditional food, concentrated extracts at supplement doses have not been specifically evaluated for safety during pregnancy in authoritative regulatory assessments; FSSAI nutraceutical regulations explicitly caution that products are not intended for pregnant or lactating women without medical supervision.

Lactation — Concentrated rosehip extract supplements have not been evaluated for safety during lactation; FSSAI nutraceutical labelling requirements recommend medical advice for nursing women consuming such products.

Infants — FSSAI nutraceutical regulations explicitly prohibit use of health supplement products (including those with rosehip extract) in infants and children under 5 years without medical supervision, and infant nutrition standards are governed separately.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. Rose hips, extract (Rosa spp.) — Substances Added to Food Inventory (formerly EAFUS). hfpappexternal.fda.gov
2EFSA. Compendium of Botanicals — EFSA Open-Source Database. efsa.europa.eu
3FDA. Understanding How the FDA Regulates Food Additives and GRAS Ingredients. fda.gov
4FSSAI. List of product(s)/ingredient(s) applications Approved under Food Safety and Standards (Approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations, 2017 — as on 5 February 2023, 2023. fssai.gov.in
5EFSA. Safety assessment of botanicals and botanical preparations intended for use as ingredients in food supplements — EFSA Scientific Committee Guidance (2009), 2009. efsa.europa.eu

Independently researched5 citations