Checker
Check a Product
Status as at October 2026. Regulations change: the importer or registrant must confirm against the text in force before relying on it.
European Union
European Union
A food supplement is placed on the market by the responsible business, which notifies the national authority under Directive 2002/46/EC; no EU body approves individual products. Three EU-wide rules decide most botanical questions: the Novel Food Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 (an ingredient without significant EU consumption before 15 May 1997 needs authorisation), pesticide maximum residue levels under Regulation (EC) 396/2005, and contaminant limits under Regulation (EU) 2023/915.
Import controls on Indian botanicals. Food supplements containing botanicals from India, including the raw materials intended for them (CN ex 1302 and ex 2106), are listed in Annex II of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 for pesticide residues, specifically ethylene oxide. Every consignment needs an official certificate from India's Export Inspection Council with ethylene oxide test results, and 10% of consignments are checked at the border. Build this step into your timeline.
Some plants are also restricted under Annex III of Regulation (EC) 1925/2006, and member states keep their own plant lists and dose limits. The checker flags the cases we know of.
Mexico
Mexico
Food supplements are regulated by COFEPRIS. The importer needs an operating notice and a product import notice, and labels follow NOM-051. Before anything else, check the Acuerdo published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación on 15 December 1999, which prohibits a list of plants in teas, infusions and food supplements. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is on that list, and three of our products have a related species on it, so the full botanical name matters.
Latin America
Colombia, Argentina, Chile and Peru
- Argentina: article 1381 of the Código Alimentario Argentino is a positive list. Six of our botanicals are on it: Panax ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, Garcinia cambogia, Centella asiatica (gotu kola), spirulina and Hibiscus sabdariffa. Others need prior evaluation by ANMAT/INAL.
- Colombia: dietary supplements need an INVIMA sanitary registration (Decree 3249/2006); plants outside the accepted list go through prior evaluation.
- Chile: supplements are foods under the Reglamento Sanitario de los Alimentos; exotic botanicals need an ISP ruling before import.
- Peru: dietary products are registered with DIGEMID, for five years per product.
In every case the registration belongs to the local importer or brand owner; we supply the raw-material dossier.
China
Mainland China
Whether a botanical can go into food made in China depends on which list it is on: the food-medicine homologous list, the list of materials usable in health foods (a registration route), approved new food raw materials, or traditional ordinary foods. A plant on none of them cannot be used in domestically produced food or health food; finished products may still reach consumers through cross-border e-commerce, and some plants are permitted cosmetic ingredients.
All Products
All 70 Herbal Extracts at a Glance
Short labels; open the checker for the detail behind each one.
| Product | EU | Mexico | Argentina | China |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aloe Vera Extract Aloe barbadensis | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Health-food materials list (registration route) + Approved new food raw material |
| Amla Extract Phyllanthus emblica | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Food-medicine homologous list |
| Arjuna Extract Terminalia arjuna | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Ashoka Extract Saraca asoca | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Ashwagandha Extract Withania somnifera | Not novel, under safety review | Prohibited in food supplements (DOF 1999 list) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Beetroot Extract Beta vulgaris | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Traditional ordinary food |
| Berberine Extract Berberis aristata | Novel-food status to confirm | Related species listed: declare the binomial | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Bhringraj Extract Eclipta alba | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Bitter Melon Extract Momordica charantia | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Traditional ordinary food |
| Black Pepper Extract Piper nigrum | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Food-medicine homologous list |
| Boswellia Serrata Extract Boswellia serrata | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Brahmi Extract Bacopa monnieri | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Cinnamon Extract Cinnamomum | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Related species listed: declare the binomial | Not on art. 1381 list | Food-medicine homologous list |
| Cissus Quadrangularis Extract Cissus quadrangularis | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Clove Extract Syzygium aromaticum | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Food-medicine homologous list |
| Coleus Forskohlii Extract Coleus forskohlii | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Coriander Extract Coriandrum sativum | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Traditional ordinary food |
| Cranberry Extract Vaccinium macrocarpon | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Traditional ordinary food |
| Cumin Extract Cuminum cyminum | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Traditional ordinary food |
| Evening Primrose Extract Oenothera biennis | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Fennel Seed Extract Foeniculum vulgare | Not novel, under safety review | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Food-medicine homologous list |
| Fenugreek Seed Extract Trigonella foenum-graecum | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Garcinia Cambogia Extract Garcinia gummi-gutta | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | On art. 1381 positive list | Not on any China food list |
| Garlic Extract Allium sativum | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Traditional ordinary food |
| Giloy Extract Tinospora cordifolia | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Ginger Extract Zingiber officinale | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Food-medicine homologous list |
| Ginkgo Biloba Extract Ginkgo biloba | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | On art. 1381 positive list | Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Ginseng Extract Panax ginseng | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | On art. 1381 positive list | Approved new food raw material + Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Gokshura Extract Tribulus terrestris | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Gotu Kola Extract Centella asiatica | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | On art. 1381 positive list | Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Grape Seed Extract Vitis vinifera | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Green Coffee Bean Extract Coffea arabica | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Traditional ordinary food |
| Green Tea Extract Camellia sinensis | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Traditional ordinary food |
| Gymnema Sylvestre Extract Gymnema sylvestre | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Haritaki Extract Terminalia chebula | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Hibiscus Extract Hibiscus sabdariffa | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | On art. 1381 positive list | Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Horny Goat Weed Extract Epimedium | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Kutki Extract Picrorhiza kurroa CITES | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Licorice Extract Glycyrrhiza glabra | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Food-medicine homologous list |
| Lion's Mane Extract Hericium erinaceus | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Traditional ordinary food |
| Maca Root Extract Lepidium meyenii | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Approved new food raw material |
| Mango Leaf Extract Mangifera indica | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Manjistha Extract Rubia cordifolia | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Milk Thistle Extract Silybum marianum | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list + Approved new food raw material |
| Moringa Leaf Extract Moringa oleifera | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Approved new food raw material |
| Neem Extract Azadirachta indica | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Noni Fruit Extract Morinda citrifolia | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Approved new food raw material |
| Nutmeg Extract Myristica fragrans | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Food-medicine homologous list |
| Onion Extract Allium cepa | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Traditional ordinary food |
| Onion Peel Extract Allium cepa | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Papaya Leaf Extract Carica papaya | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Peppermint Extract Mentha × piperita | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Related species listed: declare the binomial | Not on art. 1381 list | Food-medicine homologous list |
| Pomegranate Extract Punica granatum | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Traditional ordinary food |
| Quercetin Extract Sophora japonica / Dimorphandra mollis | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Rhodiola Rosea Extract Rhodiola rosea CITES | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Rose Petal Extract Rosa damascena | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Health-food materials list (registration route) + Traditional ordinary food |
| Safed Musli Extract Chlorophytum borivilianum | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Saffron Extract Crocus sativus | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Food-medicine homologous list |
| Senna Extract Senna alexandrina | Not novel, under safety review | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Shankhpushpi Extract Convolvulus pluricaulis | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Shatavari Extract Asparagus racemosus | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Shilajit Extract Asphaltum (exudado purificado) | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Spirulina Extract Arthrospira platensis | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | On art. 1381 positive list | Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Trikatu Extract Piper nigrum · Piper longum · Zingiber officinale | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Food-medicine homologous list |
| Triphala Extract Emblica officinalis · Terminalia bellirica · Terminalia chebula | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Health-food materials list (registration route) + Food-medicine homologous list + Not on any China food list |
| Tulsi Extract Ocimum tenuiflorum | Novel-food status to confirm | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Turmeric Extract Curcuma longa | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Food-medicine homologous list + Health-food materials list (registration route) |
| Valerian Root Extract Valeriana officinalis | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Not on any China food list |
| Wheatgrass Extract Triticum aestivum | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Traditional ordinary food |
| White Kidney Bean Extract Phaseolus vulgaris | Not novel (EU Novel Food Catalogue) | Not on the 1999 prohibited list (our review) | Not on art. 1381 list | Traditional ordinary food |
Scope
What This Does Not Cover
This summary covers our 70 herbal extracts in the markets above. It does not yet cover the United States, the United Kingdom or our spices, oils and nutraceuticals. It is a starting point from our own review of primary sources, not legal advice; the importer or registrant is responsible for confirming the position in force. Spot an error? Tell us and we will correct it.