Amaranth
Amaranth suppliers and sourcing guide
Amaranth is the small seed of grain amaranth species, mainly Amaranthus hypochondriacus, A. cruentus and A. caudatus, which are pseudo-cereals rather than true grasses. The seeds are cleaned and sold whole, popped or puffed, rolled into flakes, or milled into whole-grain flour. Brands use it in cereals, bars, snacks and gluten-free baking. The grain is unrelated to the dye also called amaranth.
- Category
- Food staples and powders
- Also known as
- Amaranthus hypochondriacus · Amaranthus cruentus · Amaranthus caudatus · Amaranth grain · Amaranth seed
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of amaranth
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Whole seed
Cleaned grain for cooking, extrusion and inclusions.
Popped or puffed
Seeds expanded with dry heat, used in bars, cereals and confectionery.
Flour
Whole-grain flour milled from the seed, used in gluten-free blends.
Flakes
Rolled amaranth for cereals and granola.
Organic
Certified organic amaranth, commonly offered.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Moisture
- Oven moisture for seed and flour.
- Purity and foreign matter
- Weed seeds, stones and other grains; the tiny seed is hard to clean.
- Protein
- Protein by Kjeldahl or Dumas.
- Gluten
- Gluten by R5 ELISA when used in gluten-free products.
- Heavy metals and pesticides
- Cadmium, lead and arsenic by ICP-MS and a pesticide residue screen.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms, E. coli and Salmonella; flour is a raw ingredient and should be cooked before eating.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store amaranth sealed in a cool, dry area with pest control in place; the seed and especially the flour contain oil and can go stale. Popped amaranth must be kept dry to stay crisp. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification.
Lots and expiry dates
Color, size and cleanliness vary with species, origin and harvest. Record origin, species if known and cleaning results for each lot, and keep gluten test results on file for gluten-free uses.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Amaranthus hypochondriacus (POL-NF-00117) covers the seeds with the status NOT_NOVEL_IN_FOOD and notes their use mainly in breakfast cereals.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists "amaranth (dye)" as another name for FD&C Red No. 2, an entry marked delisted; this color is unrelated to amaranth grain.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 101.91 allows a "gluten-free" claim on a food that inherently does not contain gluten only when any unavoidable presence of gluten is below 20 ppm.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Amaranth suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking amaranth suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell amaranth? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of amaranth can brands buy?
Common forms include whole seed, popped or puffed, flour, flakes and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for amaranth include?
Expect moisture, purity and foreign matter, protein, gluten, heavy metals and pesticides and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should amaranth be stored?
Store amaranth sealed in a cool, dry area with pest control in place; the seed and especially the flour contain oil and can go stale. Popped amaranth must be kept dry to stay crisp. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification.
What is the regulatory status of amaranth?
The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Amaranthus hypochondriacus (POL-NF-00117) covers the seeds with the status NOT_NOVEL_IN_FOOD and notes their use mainly in breakfast cereals. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists "amaranth (dye)" as another name for FD&C Red No. 2, an entry marked delisted; this color is unrelated to amaranth grain. 21 CFR 101.91 allows a "gluten-free" claim on a food that inherently does not contain gluten only when any unavoidable presence of gluten is below 20 ppm.
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