About
Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a widely consumed whole fruit prized for its flavour, natural sweetness, and rich content of vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, and polyphenolic bioactive compounds. It is used fresh, frozen, dried, pureed, and as a functional flavouring ingredient across an extensive range of food and beverage products.
Safety summary
Strawberries are broadly recognised as safe for the general population and carry no established acceptable daily intake (ADI), as they are a whole food rather than a regulated additive. They are among the more commonly allergenic fruits, particularly in children, and can trigger oral allergy syndrome in individuals sensitised to birch pollen. Their moderate oxalate content may warrant dietary moderation in individuals with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Strawberry is a traditional whole food with a long history of human consumption in the EU and does not require novel food authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Under EFSA's botanical safety framework, ingredients with historical food use and no identified hazardous compounds are classified Level A (presumption of safety).source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Strawberry is regulated as a fruit under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations 2011, Chapter 2.3. Jam and preserve products must contain not less than 25% strawberry fruit by weight of the finished product. Fresh strawberry is generally free of required food additives per FSSAI Appendix A.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Strawberry is a whole food/fruit and not a regulated food additive under 21 CFR. It is freely permitted as a food ingredient; standardised uses appear in 21 CFR Part 145 (e.g., canned strawberry pie filling). No intake restrictions exist.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1PubMed. Strawberry (Fragaria x Ananassa) intake on human health and disease outcomes: a comprehensive literature review. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2FDA. Food Additive Status List – U.S. FDA (21 CFR). fda.gov
- 3other. Trends and current food safety regulations and policies for functional foods and beverages containing botanicals. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4PubMed. Strawberry as a health promoter: an evidence-based review. Where are we 10 years later?, 2025. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 – Chapter 2.3: Fruit & Vegetable Products, 2011. fssai.gov.in
