# Guava (psidium Spp.)

> Source URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/guava-psidium-spp
> Markdown URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/guava-psidium-spp.md

**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 977050-90-0
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Guava (Psidium spp.) is a natural flavoring agent derived from the tropical guava fruit, used to impart guava flavor in beverages, confections, and other food products. It functions as a flavoring adjuvant to enhance or create fruit-based taste profiles in processed foods.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | not_evaluated |
| Canada | not_evaluated |
| Australia | not_evaluated |
| Japan | not_evaluated |
| South Korea | not_evaluated |
| Brazil | not_evaluated |
| China | not_evaluated |
| India | not_evaluated |

## Detailed analysis

## What is Guava (Psidium Spp.)?

Guava flavoring is derived from Psidium species, a genus of tropical and subtropical flowering plants native to Central and South America. The guava fruit has been consumed for centuries and is now cultivated worldwide in warm climates. When used as a food additive, guava flavoring typically consists of natural flavor compounds extracted or derived from guava fruit, seeds, or leaves. The CAS number 977050-90-0 identifies this specific flavoring substance for regulatory and chemical tracking purposes.

## Common Uses

Guava flavoring is used across multiple food and beverage categories to provide authentic or enhanced guava taste. Common applications include:

- Beverages: juices, nectars, soft drinks, and flavored water products
- Confectionery: candies, gums, and hard candies
- Dairy products: yogurts and flavored milk beverages
- Baked goods: pastries and desserts
- Frozen products: ice cream and popsicles
- Sauces and condiments

The flavoring is valued for delivering characteristic guava notes—typically described as sweet, tropical, and slightly tart—without requiring whole fruit processing in every application.

## Safety Assessment

Guava as a whole fruit is recognized as a safe food item with a long history of human consumption. When used as a flavoring agent, guava-derived compounds present a low safety concern profile. The FDA has recorded zero adverse events and zero recalls associated with guava flavoring, indicating no documented consumer safety issues in the United States market.

Guava fruit naturally contains beneficial compounds including vitamin C, polyphenols, and fiber. However, when concentrated or processed into flavoring extracts, the concentration and composition of these compounds may differ from whole fruit. The flavoring form typically contains only trace amounts of nutrients compared to consuming whole guava.

Common allergen considerations for guava are minimal, though individuals with specific fruit allergies should exercise appropriate caution. Guava is not among the major allergens regulated by the FDA.

## Regulatory Status

Guava flavoring has not received formal FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status, which means it has not undergone the specific GRAS notification and approval process. However, this does not indicate safety concerns; rather, it reflects that many natural flavoring substances operate under existing food regulations without requiring individual GRAS determinations, particularly when derived from foods with established safety histories.

In the European Union, guava flavoring is generally permitted in food applications under regulations governing natural flavoring substances. The substance is recognized as acceptable for food use in multiple regulatory jurisdictions.

Manufacturers using guava flavoring must comply with FDA labeling requirements, declaring it as "guava flavor" or "natural guava flavor" depending on the processing method and composition.

## Key Studies

Limited published research specifically addresses guava flavoring as a food additive, which is typical for substances derived from widely-consumed foods with established safety records. The safety foundation for guava flavoring rests primarily on:

- Extensive historical use of guava fruit in human diet across multiple continents
- Chemical composition studies of guava fruit identifying natural flavor volatiles and their recognized safety profiles
- Toxicological data on primary flavor compounds found in guava, which generally demonstrate no significant safety concerns at levels used in food flavoring applications
- The FDA's zero-adverse-event record for this substance

Additional research on guava's bioactive compounds continues in academic settings, though this research typically examines whole fruit rather than isolated flavoring extracts.

## Sources

- FDA Substances Added to Food (CFSAN)
- OpenFDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
- OpenFDA Food Recalls
- EFSA OpenFoodTox
- EU Food Additive Portal

## Citation

Additive Facts. "Guava (psidium Spp.) — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/guava-psidium-spp. Accessed 2026-05-19.