# Quince Seed, Extract (cydonia Spp.)

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 977018-25-9
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-04

## Summary

Quince seed extract is a natural flavoring agent derived from quince fruit (Cydonia spp.). It is used in the food industry to impart quince flavor to beverages, confections, and other food products.

## Regulatory status

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

## Detailed analysis

## What is Quince Seed, Extract?

Quince seed extract is derived from the seeds of the quince plant (Cydonia spp.), a fruit-bearing tree native to Western Asia and the Mediterranean region. The extract captures the characteristic flavor compounds present in quince seeds and is used as a flavoring agent in food manufacturing. Quince has been cultivated and consumed for thousands of years, with historical use dating back to ancient Greece and Rome. The extract represents a concentrated form of the natural flavoring components found in this traditional fruit.

## Common Uses

Quince seed extract is employed as a flavoring agent in various food and beverage applications. Its primary function is to provide quince flavor characteristics to finished food products. Common applications include:

- Flavored beverages and soft drinks
- Confectionery and candy products
- Dairy products and yogurts
- Baked goods and pastries
- Jams, preserves, and spreads
- Flavoring compounds for the food industry

As a flavoring adjuvant, it works in conjunction with other ingredients to enhance or modify taste profiles in commercial food formulations. The extract allows manufacturers to achieve consistent quince flavor without using whole seeds or larger quantities of fruit material.

## Safety Assessment

Quince seed extract has not been formally approved by the FDA as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS). However, the available safety data is limited but reassuring. The FDA database contains zero adverse event reports associated with this additive and zero recalls involving quince seed extract, indicating no documented safety concerns from consumer use.

Quince fruit itself has a long history of safe culinary use across multiple cultures and regions. The fruit has been processed into juices, jams, and traditional beverages for centuries without widespread safety issues. While quince seeds contain small amounts of cyanogenic glycosides (compounds that can release cyanide when metabolized), the quantities present in typical food flavoring applications are not considered to pose a toxicological concern. These compounds are also present in other widely consumed foods including apple seeds, peach pits, and almonds, where they exist in amounts below thresholds of concern.

The extract form represents a processed and concentrated product, with exposure levels typically far below those that would occur from consuming whole fruit. Regulatory bodies in various countries have not identified specific safety concerns with quince-derived flavoring agents at levels used in food production.

## Regulatory Status

Quince seed extract is not listed on the FDA's GRAS inventory, meaning it has not undergone the formal GRAS notification process. Despite this status, it is used in food manufacturing in the United States under FDA oversight. The lack of GRAS status does not necessarily indicate a safety concern but rather reflects the regulatory classification pathway the ingredient has followed.

In the European Union, quince is recognized within flavor regulations, though specific approval status varies by member state and application. The ingredient is generally permitted in flavoring applications across numerous jurisdictions where natural flavor extracts are regulated.

## Key Studies

Scientific literature on quince seed extract specifically is limited. Most available research focuses on quince fruit's chemical composition and the biological activity of its various components. Studies of whole quince fruit demonstrate antioxidant and nutritional properties, though research specifically addressing the safety profile of concentrated seed extracts used as flavorings is not extensive in published literature.

The lack of adverse events and recalls reported to the FDA suggests a favorable practical safety record in commercial food applications. The long history of quince fruit consumption in traditional cuisines provides additional context for safety evaluation, though this does not replace formal toxicological assessment.

## 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. "Quince Seed, Extract (cydonia Spp.) — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/quince-seed-extract-cydonia-spp. Accessed 2026-05-20.