Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Oil
Cardamom seed oil is GRAS as a natural flavoring at typical food-use levels. It is a potent essential oil; ingestion of large amounts of concentrated oil can cause GI irritation, and topical use may rarely cause contact dermatitis.
What it is
Essential oil steam-distilled from the seeds of Elettaria cardamomum (green cardamom); rich in 1,8-cineole and α-terpinyl acetate.
Flavoring and aromatic; in cosmetics used as a fragrance.
Why it's flagged
- GI irritation from concentrated oil
- rare contact dermatitis
What regulators actually say
"Cardamom seed... Essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free), and natural extractives... that are generally recognized as safe for their intended use."
"The Panel concluded that the substances in this Flavouring Group Evaluation do not give rise to safety concerns at the estimated levels of intake."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Cardamom seed and cardamom oil are GRAS as natural flavorings under 21 CFR 182.20.
European Union — EFSA
Permitted flavoring substance; evaluated within FGE.25 group of natural flavoring complexes.
Scan it before you buy it
Get Ube on iOS or Android — point at any barcode, see what's actually in there.
Get the app