Turmeric
Turmeric is the underground stem (rhizome) of Curcuma longa, a plant in the ginger family grown mostly in India and Southeast Asia. Harvested rhizomes are boiled, dried and ground into the yellow spice powder, while curcumin extracts are made by solvent-extracting the ground rhizome and purifying the curcuminoids (curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin) to a high percentage. Many branded curcumin ingredients add turmeric oil, carriers or delivery systems to change how the extract disperses.
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Boiled, dried and ground rhizome sold as a spice or food ingredient. It contains far less curcuminoid than an extract and is sold by color value, mesh and origin.
Solvent extract purified to a high total curcuminoid content (commonly sold as 95% curcuminoids). The usual grade for capsules and tablets.
Solvent extract that keeps both curcuminoids and turmeric oil, used mainly for color and flavor in foods.
Curcumin combined with turmeric essential oil, emulsifiers, carriers or beadlet coatings so it disperses in water or blends; curcuminoid percentage is lower per gram.
Certified organic ground rhizome, often sourced by origin for food and beverage use.
Hydrogenated, near-colorless curcuminoid derivative sold as a separate ingredient where yellow color is unwanted.
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
Curcuminoids fade with light exposure, so keep turmeric powder and extracts in opaque, sealed containers in a cool, dry room. Powders pick up moisture and clump if left open, and fine curcumin powder stains equipment, so dedicated scoops and closed transfer reduce loss. Suppliers give a shelf life or retest date; color value and curcuminoid assay are the usual retest checks.
Curcuminoid content and color vary by origin, variety and season, so receive each lot against its COA and keep the assay value with the lot record. Track retest or expiry dates and use stock first-expiry-first-out. Because lead and dye adulteration has occurred in turmeric supply chains, keep the heavy-metal result for every lot, not just the first one from a supplier.
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 182.10 lists turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) among spices and natural seasonings that are generally recognized as safe for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 73.600 lists turmeric as a color additive exempt from certification, defined as the ground rhizome.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)The EU Novel Food status Catalogue (entry POL-NF-00293) lists turmeric extract with up to 95% curcuminoids as not novel in food supplements; use in other foods is considered novel.
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.
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
Manufacturer · Kerrville, TX
Sells it as PurTurmeric
Applied Food Sciences is a Texas bulk ingredient company that sells branded botanical extracts, including green coffee, green tea, ginseng, ginger, turmeric, acerola and lion's mane, to food, drink and supplement makers only.
Manufacturer · Aluva, India
Sells it as BCM-95
Indian botanical extract maker that sells branded ashwagandha (Shoden) and turmeric (BCM-95) extracts, made in its own factories in India.
Manufacturer · Hyderabad, India
Botanic Healthcare is a Hyderabad, India, maker of standardized and organic herbal extracts, branded botanical ingredients and liposomal ingredient grades for supplement and food companies.
Manufacturer · San Jose, CA
Draco Natural Products is a San Jose, California, maker of powdered botanical and mushroom extracts, including certified organic and traditional Chinese herb extracts, with an office in Shanghai.
Manufacturer · Concepción, Peru
Peruvian grower, processor and exporter of organic Andean and Amazonian foods, including maca and turmeric powders, with a processing plant in Junín.
Manufacturer · Mollet del Vallès, Spain
Euromed is a Spanish producer of standardized botanical extracts for pharmaceutical, supplement, food and cosmetic companies, with plants near Barcelona and in Murcia. It is part of the Dermapharm Group.
Manufacturer · Changsha, China
Hunan Nutramax is a plant extract producer in Changsha, China, best known for monk fruit (luo han guo), stevia and sweet tea extracts, that also offers a range of herbal extracts.
Manufacturer · Mumbai, India
Sells it as Curcuwin
Indian botanical ingredient maker with production facilities in India that sells branded extracts, including Zenroot ashwagandha and Curcuwin turmeric.
Manufacturer · East Windsor, NJ
Sells it as Curcumin C3 Complex
Standardized botanical extract manufacturer with sites in the US and India; its catalog includes ashwagandha root extracts and Curcumin C3 Complex turmeric extract.
Distributor · Sacramento, CA
Starwest Botanicals is a Sacramento company that mills and sells bulk organic herbs, spices, teas and botanical powders by the pound and in 25 lb bags, with wholesale accounts for businesses.
Noblesville, IN
Sells it as Longvida
Verdure Sciences is an Indiana-based plant ingredient company whose turmeric product is Longvida, a branded Curcuma longa extract. It also runs a sourcing program for turmeric.
Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.
Common forms include root (rhizome) powder, curcumin 95% extract, turmeric oleoresin, formulated or dispersible curcumin, organic turmeric powder and tetrahydrocurcuminoids. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
Expect identity and adulteration, curcuminoids assay, heavy metals, residual solvents, microbiology, pesticides and aflatoxins and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
Curcuminoids fade with light exposure, so keep turmeric powder and extracts in opaque, sealed containers in a cool, dry room. Powders pick up moisture and clump if left open, and fine curcumin powder stains equipment, so dedicated scoops and closed transfer reduce loss. Suppliers give a shelf life or retest date; color value and curcuminoid assay are the usual retest checks.
21 CFR 182.10 lists turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) among spices and natural seasonings that are generally recognized as safe for their intended use. 21 CFR 73.600 lists turmeric as a color additive exempt from certification, defined as the ground rhizome. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue (entry POL-NF-00293) lists turmeric extract with up to 95% curcuminoids as not novel in food supplements; use in other foods is considered novel.
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