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Celery seed

Celery seed suppliers and sourcing guide

Celery seed is the dried fruit (botanically a schizocarp) of Apium graveolens, grown mainly in India and China for seed. It is cleaned and sold whole or ground as a spice, steam distilled for essential oil, or extracted with solvent into oleoresins and dry extracts. Supplement extracts are often standardized to 3-n-butylphthalide by HPLC or GC. Celery is a declared allergen in the EU, so allergen handling matters.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Apium graveolens · celery fruit · celery seed extract · celery seed oil
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of celery seed

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Whole or ground seed

    Cleaned, dried seed sold as a spice, often steam sterilized.

  • Standardized extract

    Solvent extract with a declared 3-n-butylphthalide (3nB) percentage, used in capsules.

  • Essential oil

    Steam-distilled oil for flavor use; a separate ingredient with its own spec.

  • Oleoresin

    Solvent-extracted, solvent-stripped oleoresin for flavor, often plated on a carrier.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity
Macroscopic checks and GC or HPTLC profile against Apium graveolens seed.
Marker assay
3-n-butylphthalide by HPLC or GC for extracts; volatile oil by distillation for spice grades.
Residual solvents
For extracts and oleoresins, results against USP <467> or the buyer's spec.
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, E. coli and Salmonella (often Staphylococcus aureus too). Seed spices are often steam treated, and the treatment should be stated.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue screen by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, required for organic claims and commonly requested for conventional material.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep seed and extract sealed in lined containers, cool, dry and dark. Volatile compounds evaporate and oxidize, faster once ground, so limit open time. Shelf life or retest dates come from the supplier; label and segregate as a celery allergen where EU rules apply.

Lots and expiry dates

Volatile oil and phthalide content vary by origin and crop year. Record supplier lot, origin and any sterilization method, and keep allergen-handling records for each lot.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

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.

Celery seed suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking celery seed 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 celery seed? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of celery seed can brands buy?

Common forms include whole or ground seed, standardized extract, essential oil and oleoresin. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for celery seed include?

Expect identity, marker assay, residual solvents, heavy metals, microbiology and pesticide residues, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should celery seed be stored?

Keep seed and extract sealed in lined containers, cool, dry and dark. Volatile compounds evaporate and oxidize, faster once ground, so limit open time. Shelf life or retest dates come from the supplier; label and segregate as a celery allergen where EU rules apply.

What is the regulatory status of celery seed?

21 CFR 182.10 lists celery seed (Apium graveolens) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings generally recognized as safe for their intended use. 21 CFR 182.20 also lists celery seed among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists celery seed with the technical effects color or coloring adjunct and flavoring agent or adjuvant.

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