About
What it is and where it shows up.
Tamarind is the acidic pulp of the Tamarindus indica fruit, widely used as a souring agent and condiment across Asian, African, and Latin American cuisines. The seeds yield a xyloglucan polysaccharide gum (INS 437) commercially used as a stabiliser, thickener, and emulsifier in processed foods.
Safety summary
The regulatory and scientific consensus.
JECFA established an ADI 'not specified' for tamarind seed polysaccharide based on absence of toxicity in long-term rodent studies and no genotoxic, reproductive, or developmental toxicity concerns. The fruit pulp is naturally high in tartaric acid and potassium, which may be a concern for individuals with kidney disease or on antiplatelet and antidiabetic medications. No IARC carcinogen classification applies to tamarind.
Regulatory landscape
What food-safety regulators have decided.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Tamarind fruit and pulp are permitted as natural food ingredients in the EU. Tamarind seed polysaccharide does not have an assigned E number and is not listed as an authorised food additive under EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008; its use as a food ingredient must comply with general food law (Regulation (EC) No 178/2002) and novel food rules if applicable.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Tamarind pulp, puree, and concentrate are standardised food products under FSSR 2011 Chapter 2.3 (Fruit & Vegetable Products); tamarind concentrate must contain not less than 65% total soluble solids. Tamarind seed gum separately approved under FSS (Approval for Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations, 2017 (approval reference 18/Std/PA/FSSAI/2024, effective 03.01.2025).source |
| MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) (Japan) | Approved | Tamarind seed polysaccharide is an approved food additive in Japan with INS 437, used as a thickener and stabiliser; listed in the Codex GSFA with multiple commodity-level permissions.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Tamarind seed polysaccharide granted GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) classification in 2014 for use as a stabiliser and thickener in mayonnaise, sauces, soups, ice cream, dressings, and beverages; tamarind fruit/pulp is approved as a natural food ingredient and flavouring. Estimated dietary exposure up to 91 mg/kg bw/day among high-end users. |
Who should approach with care
Whose guidance would steer them away.
Kidney Disease — Tamarind is naturally high in tartaric acid and potassium; excessive consumption may exacerbate hyperkalemia and increase the risk of calcium-oxalate or uric acid kidney stone formation in individuals with impaired renal function.
Diabetes — Tamarind may potentiate the hypoglycaemic effects of antidiabetic medications, increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia; patients on blood-glucose-lowering drugs should monitor intake carefully.
Gout — The high tartaric acid content and overall acidity of tamarind may aggravate uric acid dysregulation and joint inflammation in individuals with gout.
Heart Disease — Tamarind may enhance the bioavailability and antiplatelet activity of aspirin and NSAIDs commonly used in cardiovascular disease management, raising potential bleeding risk.
Ibs — The high dietary fibre and tartaric acid content of tamarind may trigger or worsen bloating, loose stools, or abdominal discomfort in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.
Research citations
The sources behind this verdict.
- 1WHO. Tamarind seed polysaccharide — JECFA Food Additives & Contaminants Database. apps.who.int
- 2FAO. GSFA Online Food Additive Details for Tamarind Seed Polysaccharide (INS 437). fao.org
- 3PubMed. Safety Evaluation of Ultrasonic-Assisted OSA-Modified Tamarind Seed Gum for Food Applications. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4FSSAI. List of Products/Ingredients Approved under FSS (Non-Specified Food and Food Ingredients) Regulations 2017 — Status as on 2 May 2025, 2025. fssai.gov.in
- 5FSSAI. FSSR Chapter 2.3: Food Product Standards — Fruit & Vegetable Products (Version 1, September 2023), 2023. fssai.gov.in
Independently researched5 citations