Himalayan pink salt
Himalayan pink salt suppliers and sourcing guide
Himalayan pink salt is rock salt (halite) mined from deposits in the Salt Range of Punjab, Pakistan, most notably at Khewra. Its pink to reddish color comes from small amounts of iron oxide and other minerals in the crystal. Mined rock is sorted by color, crushed, sometimes washed, and screened into fine, coarse and chunk grades, and is usually sold unrefined and without added iodine or anticaking agents.
- Category
- Food staples and powders
- Also known as
- Pink salt · Himalayan rock salt · Halite · Pakistani rock salt
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of himalayan pink salt
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Fine
Crushed and screened for seasonings, blends and table use.
Coarse or grinder
Larger granules for grinders, brines and toppings.
Color grades
Light pink, pink and dark pink selections; color depends on the seam and on sorting.
Washed or unwashed
Some suppliers wash and dry the crushed salt to reduce insolubles and dust; others sell it as mined.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Sodium chloride assay
- Purity as NaCl on a dry basis, usually by argentometric titration of chloride.
- Moisture
- Loss on drying; higher moisture means caking and less salt per kilogram.
- Insolubles and foreign matter
- Water-insoluble matter and checks for rock fragments and metal (for example by magnet or metal detection), since the salt is mined and crushed.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS on every lot or on a set frequency; unrefined mined salt can vary.
- Particle size
- Sieve analysis, which drives flow, dissolution speed and how salt adheres to snacks.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store pink salt sealed in a dry area off the floor, as it absorbs moisture and cakes in humid conditions. Keep it away from strong odors and protect fine grades from dust pick-up. Shelf life or retest dates follow the supplier's specification.
Lots and expiry dates
Color, insolubles and trace mineral content vary with the mine seam and how the salt was sorted and washed. Record mine origin, color grade, insolubles and heavy metal results for each lot, and keep a retained sample for color comparison.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 101.61(c) states that the term "salt" is not synonymous with "sodium" and that salt refers to sodium chloride.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Canada's Food Compositional Standards define salt as crystalline sodium chloride but exclude crude rock salt from that definition.
Source: inspection.canada.ca (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.
Himalayan pink salt suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking himalayan pink salt 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 himalayan pink salt? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of himalayan pink salt can brands buy?
Common forms include fine, coarse or grinder, color grades and washed or unwashed. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for himalayan pink salt include?
Expect sodium chloride assay, moisture, insolubles and foreign matter, heavy metals and particle size, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should himalayan pink salt be stored?
Store pink salt sealed in a dry area off the floor, as it absorbs moisture and cakes in humid conditions. Keep it away from strong odors and protect fine grades from dust pick-up. Shelf life or retest dates follow the supplier's specification.
What is the regulatory status of himalayan pink salt?
21 CFR 101.61(c) states that the term "salt" is not synonymous with "sodium" and that salt refers to sodium chloride. Canada's Food Compositional Standards define salt as crystalline sodium chloride but exclude crude rock salt from that definition.
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