Exhausted Vanilla Pod
Also known as: exhausted vanilla bean
Exhausted vanilla pods are a food-grade plant material with minimal flavor activity, used mainly to display vanilla 'specks.' They are recognized as a source of natural vanilla under FDA standards of identity for flavoring extracts.
What it is
Vanilla pods (Vanilla planifolia) from which the soluble flavor compounds have already been extracted; reground for visual specks and residual aroma.
Visual indicator of natural vanilla (specks); minor flavoring/bulking.
Why it's flagged
- Potential to mislead about vanilla content if labeling is unclear
What regulators actually say
"Vanilla beans are the properly cured and dried fruit pods of Vanilla planifolia Andrews."
"Vanilla extract — Source: Vanilla planifolia, cured pods."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
Vanilla beans/pods are regulated under FDA standard of identity for vanilla (21 CFR 169.3).
European Union — EFSA
Plant material from a conventional food crop; not a regulated additive.
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