Onion powder
Onion powder suppliers and sourcing guide
Onion powder is dehydrated onion bulb (Allium cepa) ground to a fine powder. Processors use high-solids white onion varieties that are peeled, sliced, dried in belt or tunnel dryers, then milled and sieved into grades from powder through granulated, minced and chopped. Toasted (roasted) onion and onion oil or oleoresin are sold alongside it for seasonings, snacks, soups and sauces.
- Also known as
- Dehydrated onion · Granulated onion · Allium cepa · Dried onion
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of onion powder
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Powder
Fine grind for seasoning blends, snack coatings and dry soup mixes.
Granulated
Coarser particle that flows better and clumps less in shakers and rubs.
Minced, chopped and sliced
Larger dehydrated pieces for visible-particle applications and rehydration.
Toasted
Roasted onion with a browner color and cooked flavor.
Organic
Certified organic onion powder and granules, from a smaller supplier base.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Moisture
- Moisture by oven or vacuum-oven drying; dehydrated onion is hygroscopic and cakes above its specified moisture.
- Particle size
- Sieve analysis, which defines powder versus granulated grades.
- Color
- Visual or instrumental color, since browning shows heat damage or age.
- Hot-water-insoluble solids and ash
- Insoluble solids and acid-insoluble ash, which flag peel, root and soil.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms, E. coli and Salmonella; dehydrated onion counts can be high unless the lot is treated.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS against the supplier's specification.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Onion powder absorbs moisture and cakes, so keep it sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry area and reseal opened containers. Warm storage darkens the color and flattens the flavor. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and caked or aged stock should be retested for moisture and micro before use.
Lots and expiry dates
Pungency, color and micro counts vary by crop year and dryer, so record particle grade, moisture and micro results per lot. Rotate first-expired, first-out and watch for caking in humid months.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 101.22(h)(3) says powdered or granulated onions are commonly understood to be food rather than flavor and must be declared by their common or usual name.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 182.20 lists onion (Allium cepa) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists onion oil (Allium cepa) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 182.20.
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.
Onion powder suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking onion powder 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 onion powder? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of onion powder can brands buy?
Common forms include powder, granulated, minced, chopped and sliced, toasted and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for onion powder include?
Expect moisture, particle size, color, hot-water-insoluble solids and ash, microbiology and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should onion powder be stored?
Onion powder absorbs moisture and cakes, so keep it sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry area and reseal opened containers. Warm storage darkens the color and flattens the flavor. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and caked or aged stock should be retested for moisture and micro before use.
What is the regulatory status of onion powder?
21 CFR 101.22(h)(3) says powdered or granulated onions are commonly understood to be food rather than flavor and must be declared by their common or usual name. 21 CFR 182.20 lists onion (Allium cepa) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists onion oil (Allium cepa) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 182.20.
More flavors, spices and essential oils
- Vanilla extractExtract of vanilla · Pure vanilla extract
- Vanilla beansVanilla planifolia · Vanilla tahitensis
- Vanillin4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde · Vanillic aldehyde
- Ethyl vanillin3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde · Bourbonal
- Natural flavorsNatural flavoring · Natural flavour
- Artificial flavorsArtificial flavoring · Synthetic flavors
- CinnamonCinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon) · Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cassia)
- NutmegMyristica fragrans · Nutmeg seed
- CloveSyzygium aromaticum · Eugenia caryophyllata
- CardamomElettaria cardamomum · Green cardamom
- Black pepperPiper nigrum · Peppercorns
- Cayenne pepperCapsicum annuum · Capsicum frutescens
Sell ingredients to brands?
Request a free listing for the ingredients you make or distribute. No paid placement.