About
What it is and where it shows up.
Star anise powder is the ground dried fruit of Illicium verum Hook.f. (family Illiciaceae), valued for its characteristic sweet, aromatic, anise-like flavour. It is widely used as a culinary spice in Asian cuisine, in traditional medicine, and as a natural flavouring agent in food and beverages.
Safety summary
The regulatory and scientific consensus.
Chinese star anise (Illicium verum) is considered GRAS by the FDA at culinary use levels for the general adult population. The primary safety risk at the spice-use level arises from adulteration with toxic Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum), whose sesquiterpene compounds (anisatin) are potent neurotoxins; several reported illness cases were traced to such adulteration. The essential oil fraction contains estragole, a genotoxic compound of regulatory concern at high concentrations, but dietary exposure from powdered spice use is considered negligible.
Regulatory landscape
What food-safety regulators have decided.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Star anise (Illicium verum) fruit and preparations are recognised to provide flavour in food and authorised under the EU flavourings framework. Star anise oil is authorised as a feed additive under Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. EFSA has raised concerns about estragole in concentrated essential oil fractions (≥1%) used as feed additives, classifying those preparations as suspected carcinogens; the concern does not apply to the powdered spice used in food at typical culinary levels.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Codex Alimentarius Commission (CCSCH6, 2022) advanced a draft group standard for spices derived from dried fruits and berries including star anise (whole, cut/broken, and ground/powdered styles) to Step 5. India co-chaired the process and star anise is included in the Spices Board of India's approved spices list.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Recognized as GRAS under 21 CFR Part 182 for use as a spice and natural flavouring. In 2003, FDA issued an advisory against consuming star anise teas due to reported neurological illness in ~40 individuals (including ~15 infants), attributed to adulteration with toxic Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum). Powdered spice use as a food ingredient retains GRAS status.source |
Who should approach with care
Whose guidance would steer them away.
Infants — FDA issued a 2003 advisory after star anise teas (often given for infant colic) caused neurological symptoms including seizures in approximately 15 infants; infants should not consume star anise teas or high-dose preparations.
Pregnancy — High-dose medicinal use of star anise (above culinary amounts) has not been established as safe during pregnancy; the FSSAI nutraceutical schedule lists a restricted reference dose of 250–500 mg/day as powder, suggesting moderation is warranted.
Epilepsy — Anisatin-related compounds in Illicium species act as potent GABA antagonists and have caused seizures in reported toxicity cases; individuals with epilepsy should avoid medicinal-dose or high-concentration preparations of star anise.
Ibs — Star anise toxicity cases document gastrointestinal symptoms such as severe vomiting at above-normal doses; those with IBS or sensitive gastrointestinal conditions should limit intake to typical culinary amounts.
Research citations
The sources behind this verdict.
- 1FDA. ANISE, STAR (Illicium verum Hook, f.) – FDA Food Substances Database (GRAS listing). hfpappexternal.fda.gov
- 2PubMed. Case series: star anise toxicity presenting to the emergency department in Eastern Regional Referral Hospital in Bhutan. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3FSSAI. FSSAI Chapter 2.9 – Food Product Standards: Salt, Spices, Condiments and Related Products (Version 2, 04.11.2024), 2024. fssai.gov.in
- 4EFSA. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the fruit of Illicium verum Hook.f. (star anise oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl), 2023. efsa.europa.eu
- 5other. Codex Alimentarius Commission CCSCH6 Report (REP22/SCH) – Draft Standard for Spices from Dried Fruits and Berries including Star Anise, 2022. fao.org
Independently researched6 citations