Chamomile Flower (anthemis Nobilis L.)

Chamomile flower (Anthemis nobilis L.), commonly known as Roman chamomile, is a flowering plant native to Western Europe and temperate regions. The additive consists of dried flowers or flower extracts used as a flavoring agent in food and beverages. Chamomile has a long history of traditional use in teas, herbal preparations, and culinary applications. The botanical material contains volatile oils, flavonoids, and other phytochemical compounds that contribute to its characteristic mild, apple-like flavor profile.

Chamomile flower is primarily used as a flavoring agent in tea blends, herbal infusions, and ready-to-drink beverages. It appears in some baked goods, confections, and flavored water products. The ingredient is also used in dietary supplements and natural food formulations where consumers seek traditional botanical flavors. Many commercial tea manufacturers include chamomile as a standalone product or in herbal blends marketed for consumer preference rather than functional claims.

Chamomile flower has been consumed safely for centuries as a traditional beverage and culinary ingredient. The FDA has recorded zero adverse events and zero recalls associated with chamomile flower as a food additive. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated chamomile and considers it acceptable for food use within traditional consumption patterns. Most adverse events associated with chamomile are rare and typically occur in individuals with specific allergies to plants in the Asteraceae family (ragweed, chrysanthemums, daisies).

Isolated case reports have documented allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, though these are uncommon. Cross-reactivity may occur in people with birch pollen allergies. The safety profile improves significantly when chamomile is used in typical food flavoring concentrations rather than concentrated extract or supplement forms.

Chamomile flower does not hold FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status as a food additive, though this does not indicate safety concerns. Rather, it reflects the regulatory framework: GRAS status requires formal petition or self-affirmation processes, and many traditional botanical ingredients predate the modern GRAS system. Chamomile is permitted in food and beverage formulations under FDA regulations as a natural flavoring. The European Union permits chamomile in food flavorings under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008. It is also listed in the FDA's Everything Added to Food in the United States (EAFUS) database.