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Rose hips

Rose hips suppliers and sourcing guide

Rose hips are the fruits of wild roses, mainly Rosa canina (dog rose), harvested in Chile, Eastern Europe and Central Asia after the flowers drop. The hips are dried and usually split to separate the shells from the hairy seeds, then sold as seedless shells, cut and sifted for tea, or milled to powder; extracts and seed oil are separate products. Shells are valued for their vitamin C, which falls with heat and storage.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Rosa canina · dog rose · rose hip · rosehip shells
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of rose hips

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

  • Seedless shells, cut and sifted

    Dried fruit walls with seeds and hairs removed, the standard tea and blending form.

  • Whole dried hips

    Whole fruit for traditional teas and further processing.

  • Powder

    Shells, or shells and seeds, milled to a powder; the spec should say which, since the two differ in composition and texture.

  • Extract

    Water or hydroalcoholic extract, sometimes sold with a declared vitamin C content.

  • Organic

    Hips from certified organic or certified 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
Macroscopic and microscopic examination or HPTLC fingerprint to confirm Rosa fruit and the part supplied.
Vitamin C (HPLC or titration)
Ascorbic acid by HPLC or 2,6-dichloroindophenol titration. Results drop with age and heat, so the test date matters.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella. Raw cut herb and powder carry more microbial load than extracts and may be steam treated.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue screen by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, required for organic claims and commonly asked for on conventional lots.
Physical tests
Loss on drying, hair and seed content for shells, and particle size.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep shells, powder and extract sealed in lined bags or drums, cool, dry and out of direct light. Powders and dry extracts pick up moisture and cake once opened, so reseal containers and limit time open on the production floor. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the marker assay is usually repeated at retest.

Lots and expiry dates

Vitamin C and color vary with species, harvest and drying and fall during storage, so check each lot's assay and its test date against your specification. Record origin, species and harvest year, and use older stock first.

Regulatory status

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

  • 21 CFR 182.20 lists rose fruit (hips) among essential oils, oleoresins and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists rose hips extract (Rosa spp.) with the technical effects flavoring agent or adjuvant and nutrient supplement, citing 21 CFR 182.20.

    Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Rosa canina (POL-NF-00658) lists the fruits as not novel in food, and the flowers, leaves, young shoots, leaf buds and seeds as not novel in food supplements.

    Source: ec.europa.eu (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.

Rose hips suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking rose hips 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 rose hips? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of rose hips can brands buy?

Common forms include seedless shells, cut and sifted, whole dried hips, powder, extract and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for rose hips include?

Expect identity, vitamin C (HPLC or titration), heavy metals, microbiology, pesticide residues and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should rose hips be stored?

Keep shells, powder and extract sealed in lined bags or drums, cool, dry and out of direct light. Powders and dry extracts pick up moisture and cake once opened, so reseal containers and limit time open on the production floor. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the marker assay is usually repeated at retest.

What is the regulatory status of rose hips?

21 CFR 182.20 lists rose fruit (hips) among essential oils, oleoresins and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists rose hips extract (Rosa spp.) with the technical effects flavoring agent or adjuvant and nutrient supplement, citing 21 CFR 182.20. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Rosa canina (POL-NF-00658) lists the fruits as not novel in food, and the flowers, leaves, young shoots, leaf buds and seeds as not novel in food supplements.

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