Amla
Amla suppliers and sourcing guide
Amla is the fruit of Phyllanthus emblica (also named Emblica officinalis), a tree grown across India and Southeast Asia that bears sour, pale green fruits. Fruits are deseeded, dried and milled to a powder, or pressed and extracted with water and spray dried. Extracts are usually standardized to tannins or polyphenols by titration or UV, and some to ascorbic acid; branded aqueous extracts carry their own marker specifications.
- Category
- Botanicals and mushrooms
- Also known as
- Phyllanthus emblica · Emblica officinalis · Indian gooseberry · amalaki
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of amla
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Fruit powder
Dried, deseeded fruit milled to a powder, sold by mesh size and usually not standardized.
Aqueous extract
Water extract of the fruit, spray dried and standardized to tannins or polyphenols, often 30% to 60%.
Juice powder
Pressed fruit juice dried on a carrier such as maltodextrin, used in drink mixes.
Organic
Fruit powder or extract from certified organic orchards or wild collection, with the certificate tied to the lot.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Identity (HPTLC)
- Fingerprint against Phyllanthus emblica fruit reference to confirm species and part.
- Tannin or polyphenol assay
- Tannins by titration or polyphenols by Folin-Ciocalteu UV, or gallic acid and emblicanins by HPLC; the COA should name the method.
- Ascorbic acid
- Vitamin C by HPLC or titration if a vitamin C content is claimed; it falls with heat and storage.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella. Raw powders carry more microbial load than extracts and are often steam treated.
- Physical tests
- Loss on drying, mesh size, bulk density and any carrier.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep amla powder and extract sealed in lined drums or foil bags in a cool, dry place away from light; the acidic powder absorbs moisture and cakes readily. Vitamin C and polyphenol levels fall with heat and air exposure, so reseal opened containers. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.
Lots and expiry dates
Tannin and vitamin C levels vary with harvest, drying method and storage, so record the assay method and result for each lot. Rotate stock FEFO and recheck vitamin C on older lots if it is claimed on the label.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's Amla natural health product monograph lists Phyllanthus emblica with the dried fruit as the source part.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Emblica officinalis (POL-NF-00327) concerns the fruit and lists it as not novel in food supplements.
Source: ec.europa.eu (opens in a new tab)GRN 483, for an aqueous extract of Emblica officinalis from Natreon, Inc. intended as a flavoring agent in foods, closed with FDA having no questions.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.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.
Amla suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking amla 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 amla? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of amla can brands buy?
Common forms include fruit powder, aqueous extract, juice powder and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for amla include?
Expect identity (HPTLC), tannin or polyphenol assay, ascorbic acid, heavy metals, microbiology and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should amla be stored?
Keep amla powder and extract sealed in lined drums or foil bags in a cool, dry place away from light; the acidic powder absorbs moisture and cakes readily. Vitamin C and polyphenol levels fall with heat and air exposure, so reseal opened containers. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.
What is the regulatory status of amla?
Health Canada's Amla natural health product monograph lists Phyllanthus emblica with the dried fruit as the source part. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Emblica officinalis (POL-NF-00327) concerns the fruit and lists it as not novel in food supplements. GRN 483, for an aqueous extract of Emblica officinalis from Natreon, Inc. intended as a flavoring agent in foods, closed with FDA having no questions.
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