Turmeric Extract (Curcumin)

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Turmeric extract (curcumin, E100) is an orange-yellow pigment obtained by solvent extraction of dried rhizomes of Curcuma longa L., composed primarily of curcuminoids — curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin. It is widely used as a natural food colourant and flavouring in dairy products, beverages, confectionery, mustard, sauces, cereals, ice cream, and meat products.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

JECFA (2003/2004) and EFSA (2010) have both established an ADI of 0–3 mg/kg body weight per day, concluding that curcumin is neither carcinogenic nor genotoxic at normal food-use levels. At very high supplemental doses (up to 12,000 mg/day) short-term adverse effects including gastrointestinal disturbance, headache, and rash have been reported. Children aged 1–10 years in several EU countries may approach or exceed the ADI when curcumin is used at maximum permitted levels across multiple food categories.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Authorised as food colour E100 (curcumin / turmeric rhizome extract) under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008; maximum permitted levels in foods range from 20–500 mg/kg depending on food category (beverages 100–200 mg/L); ADI of 0–3 mg/kg bw/day confirmed by EFSA ANS Panel in 2010 and further assessed in refined exposure assessment (2014, EFSA Journal pub/3876).source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Listed as a permitted natural colour (INS 100 — curcumin or turmeric) at GMP levels under FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, Appendix A, Section G (Natural Colours). No numerical maximum use level specified; GMP principle applies.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Turmeric listed as a colour additive exempt from batch certification under 21 CFR 73.600; curcuminoids also notified as GRAS (GRN 000460) for use as a flavour or flavour enhancer in certain foods. No formal ADI set by FDA; no maximum use level specified for the colour additive listing.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Children — EFSA's 2010 and 2014 assessments found that children aged 1–10 years in some EU countries may approach or exceed the ADI of 3 mg/kg bw/day when curcumin is present at maximum permitted levels across multiple processed-food categories simultaneously.

Pregnancy — EFSA's novel food opinion on curcumin derivatives (tetrahydrocurcuminoids, 2021) explicitly excluded pregnant women from the proposed use; high-dose turmeric extract supplements lack adequate safety data in pregnancy and should be discussed with a healthcare provider.

Lactation — As with pregnancy, EFSA's novel food opinion on curcumin derivative forms excluded lactating women from recommended supplement use; food-level intake as a colourant is not restricted.

Liver Disease — High-dose curcumin supplements have been associated with rare hepatotoxicity cases in susceptible individuals; those with pre-existing liver conditions should seek medical advice before using concentrated turmeric extracts or supplements.

— EFSA reported that at high supplemental doses (up to 12,000 mg/day) curcumin caused gastrointestinal effects including nausea and diarrhoea; individuals with IBS or other GI sensitivities may be more susceptible even at lower supplemental doses.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1PubMed. Turmeric and Its Major Compound Curcumin on Health: Bioactive Effects and Safety Profiles for Food, Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Medicinal Applications, 2020. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2EFSA. Safety and efficacy of turmeric extract, turmeric oil, turmeric oleoresin and turmeric tincture from Curcuma longa L. rhizome when used as sensory additives in feed for all animal species, 2020. efsa.europa.eu
3EFSA. Refined exposure assessment for curcumin (E 100), 2014. efsa.europa.eu
4EFSA. Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of curcumin (E 100) as a food additive, 2010. efsa.europa.eu
5WHO. Curcumin — Safety evaluation of certain food additives (WHO Food Additives Series 52, JECFA 61st meeting), 2004. fao.org

Independently researched5 citations