Saffron | whatsinit

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Saffron consists of the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus L. and is the world's most expensive spice; its principal bioactive compounds—crocins (golden-yellow pigments), safranal (aroma), and picrocrocin (bitter flavour)—make it valued simultaneously as a natural colorant, flavouring, and traditional medicinal plant. It is used in food manufacturing to impart a characteristic golden hue and floral taste to confectionery, rice dishes, beverages, and dairy products.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

At normal culinary doses (typically <1 g/day) saffron is safe and no formal ADI has been established by JECFA or EFSA. At supplemental or medicinal doses (≥5 g/day) adverse gastrointestinal effects, bleeding, and uterine stimulation have been reported; very large acute doses (>20 g) have been associated with systemic toxicity including haematuria and vomiting. Pregnant women are the primary at-risk population due to the potential for uterine-contracting activity at supradietary doses.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia)	Approved	Saffron is permitted as a natural spice and is listed as an acceptable natural food colour in Schedule 15 of the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. No maximum level is prescribed for use as a spice; as a coloring food its use is quantum satis.source
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Saffron is classified as a food/spice ingredient rather than a food additive under EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 and is therefore not assigned an E number. It is freely permitted as a natural ingredient across all food categories. EFSA has evaluated saffron extract (affron®) for a health claim under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 (EFSA Journal 2021;19(7):e06669).source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Saffron (Kesar) is regulated as a spice under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011. Quality standards track ISO 3632 parameters including colouring strength (crocin content, E1%1cm at 440 nm ≥ 190 for higher grades), safranal content, picrocrocin content, moisture, and ash. FSSAI accredits testing laboratories explicitly for saffron analysis. Adulteration of saffron is a significant enforcement concern.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	21 CFR §73.500 specifically exempts saffron from batch certification requirements as a color additive; it may be used in food generally, except that no standard of identity prohibits such use.

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Pregnancy — The WHO monograph on saffron stigmas notes documented uterine-stimulating (emmenagogue) activity at doses above the normal culinary range (≥5 g); supplemental or medicinal forms should be avoided during pregnancy, while ordinary spice quantities are considered safe.

Infants — Concentrated saffron extracts or supplements have not been evaluated for safety in infants, and the potent bioactive compounds (crocins, safranal) at any appreciable dose are inappropriate for infant consumption; culinary trace amounts in weaning foods are not of regulatory concern.

Children — High-dose saffron supplements (>5 g/day equivalent) can cause gastrointestinal toxicity and potential systemic effects; saffron-based supplements or concentrated extracts should not be given to children without medical supervision.

Other — Individuals taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications (e.g., warfarin, aspirin) should consult a doctor before using saffron supplements, as in-vitro and animal data suggest mild antiplatelet activity at higher doses; culinary use is not expected to interact.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. 21 CFR §182.10 – Spices and Other Natural Seasonings and Flavorings (GRAS). ecfr.gov
2FDA. 21 CFR §73.500 – Saffron (Exempt Color Additive). ecfr.gov
3EFSA. Affron® and increase in positive mood: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, 2021. efsa.europa.eu
4PubMed. Affron® and increase in positive mood: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 [EFSA NDA Panel scientific opinion], 2021. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5WHO. WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, Volume 3 – Stigma Croci, 2007. apps.who.int

Independently researched5 citations