About
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) is a cereal grain crop cultivated widely across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, consumed as whole grain, flour, syrup, and starch. It serves as a nutritious, naturally gluten-free staple and is used in porridges, flatbreads, fermented beverages, and as a syrup sweetener.
Safety summary
Sorghum has a millennia-long history of safe human consumption and no significant safety concerns have been raised by major regulatory authorities; no IARC carcinogenicity classification applies and no ADI has been established as it is a whole food ingredient. Some varieties contain condensed tannins and phytic acid that may reduce protein and mineral bioavailability with high intake. Cross-contamination with gluten-containing grains during milling is a practical concern for celiac consumers.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Sorghum bicolor syrup authorised as traditional food from a third country under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2017, amending the Union list of novel foods (Regulation (EU) 2017/2470); EFSA raised no safety objections provided heat treatment and minimum 74% sugar content requirements are met. Sorghum grain trades freely as a conventional cereal.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Official quality and identity standards for sorghum (jowar) flour notified under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations 2018; sorghum listed in FSSAI Appendix A food category system as a recognised cereal grain alongside wheat, maize, and barley.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Sorghum grain syrup is affirmed GRAS under 21 CFR 184.1865 for use as a general-purpose sweetener and flavouring agent at GMP levels; sorghum grain itself is a recognised whole grain food not subject to food-additive restrictions.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1FDA. 21 CFR 184.1865 — Sorghum grain syrup. accessdata.fda.gov
- 2other. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2017 of 18 December 2018 authorising the placing on the market of syrup from Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench as a traditional food from a third country under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, 2018. eur-lex.europa.eu
- 3EFSA. Technical Report on the notification of syrup from Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench as a traditional food from a third country pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, 2018. efsa.europa.eu
- 4FSSAI. Gazette Notification — FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations 2018: Standards for Sorghum Flour, Soybean, Whole Maize Flour and other cereals, 2018. archive.fssai.gov.in
- 5other. Codex Standard for Sorghum — CXS 172-1989 (adopted 1989, revised 1995, 2013), 1989. fao.org
