Turmeric Powder (Haldi)
Elysium Agri exports bulk turmeric powder ground from selected Indian turmeric fingers, with 2% to 5% curcumin, in 60, 80 or 100 mesh. Every batch is tested for curcumin, lead and chromate, Sudan dyes, aflatoxin, microbiology and pesticide residues, and steam-sterilised powder is available for EU and US food makers.
We grind only whole fingers of known origin, with no added colour, starch or fillers. That matters, because turmeric powder is one of the most tested spices at EU and US borders for lead, dyes and residues.
Turmeric Powder Specification
Mesh
60 / 80 / 100 mesh (250 / 177 / 149 µm)
Moisture
10% max
Total Ash / AIA
≤ 9% / ≤ 1.5%
Starch
≤ 60% (no added starch)
Lead and Chromate
Lead ≤ 1.5 mg/kg; chromate negative
Dyes
Sudan I–IV, metanil yellow not detected
Aflatoxin / OTA
B1 ≤ 5 · total ≤ 10 · OTA ≤ 15 µg/kg
Microbiology
Salmonella absent / 25 g; low micro when steam-sterilised
Packing
25 kg paper bags with liner · 25 kg PP with liner
Turmeric Powder: Full Export Specification
The standard export specification for our bulk turmeric powder, benchmarked to Codex CXS 359-2024 (ground), IS 3576 and FSSAI. Send your own specification with your enquiry.
| General | Specification | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Ground turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) from whole dried fingers | No added colour, starch or fillers |
| Treatment | Standard or steam-sterilised (no ETO) | — |
| Colour | Bright yellow to orange-yellow, by curcumin | Visual / colour value |
| Physical | Specification | Test method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Particle size | 60 mesh (250 µm), 80 mesh (177 µm) or 100 mesh (149 µm); 98% through | Sieve; FSSAI requires 300 µm |
| Moisture | ≤ 10% | ISO 939; Codex ground max 10% |
| Extraneous matter | Nil | — |
| Chemical | Specification | Test method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Curcumin | ≥ 2% (standard) · ≥ 3% | HPLC / ASTA 18.0 |
| Total ash | ≤ 9% | Codex ground max 9% |
| Acid-insoluble ash | ≤ 1.5% | Codex / IS max 1.5% |
| Starch | ≤ 60% | IS 3576 / FSSAI |
| Food safety | Specification | Test method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Aflatoxin | B1 ≤ 5 µg/kg; total ≤ 10 µg/kg | HPLC; EU limit for listed spices, applied by contract |
| Ochratoxin A | ≤ 15 µg/kg | HPLC; EU limit for spices |
| Ethylene oxide (ETO + 2-chloroethanol) | Not detected (below EU MRL; Spices Board test level 0.02 mg/kg for EU) | GC-MS/MS; no ETO fumigation used |
| Pesticide residues | Within EU / US / Japan MRLs (chlorpyrifos below LOQ) | LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS multi-residue screen |
| Lead | ≤ 1.5 mg/kg (EU limit for root spices); lead chromate negative | ICP-MS / AAS |
| Sudan I–IV, metanil yellow, lead chromate | Not detected | HPLC / spot test; chromium tested with lead |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25 g | ISO 6579-1 |
| E. coli | < 10 cfu/g | ISO 16649-2 |
| Total plate count / yeast and mould | < 10⁴ / < 10³ cfu/g (steam-sterilised) | ISO 4833-1 / ISO 21527 |
| Commercial | Specification | Note |
|---|---|---|
| HS code | 0910 30 30 (turmeric powder) | GST 5% |
| Packing | 25 kg multi-wall paper bags with PE liner · 25 kg PP with liner · retail and private label packs on request | Buyer's marks on request |
| Container load | 20 ft: about 18 MT · 40 ft HC: about 27 MT | See Turmeric Powder Packing and Container Loading |
| Shelf life | 12–24 months sealed, cool, dry and dark | Cool, dry, ventilated storage away from odours |
| Documents | Spices Board clearance / health certificate (mandatory sampling for EU) · Official ETO certificate for EU (Annex II) · Certificate of Analysis (pesticides, ETO, aflatoxin, ochratoxin, Salmonella) · Phytosanitary Certificate · Certificate of Origin · Fumigation Certificate (where required) | — |
Choosing Curcumin Level and Mesh Size
Turmeric powder is specified mainly by curcumin (colour strength) and fineness.
| Curcumin | Origin (typical) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 2–2.5% | Nizamabad | Curry powder, blends, volume buyers |
| 3%+ | Erode, Salem | Retail powder, food colour |
| 4–5%+ | Salem selections, Alleppey | — |
| Mesh | Particle size | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 60 mesh | 250 µm | Curry powder and blends |
| 80 mesh | 177 µm | Retail powder, seasonings |
| 100 mesh | 149 µm | Beverages, sauces, capsules |
Standard, Steam-Sterilised or Organic
Standard Powder
For blenders and repackers.
Prefer whole turmeric? Turmeric Finger →
Turmeric Powder Packing and Container Loading
| Pack type | Net weight | Units per 20 ft | Net per 20 ft | Net per 40 ft HC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper bag with PE liner | 25 kg | ≈ 720 | ≈ 18 MT | ≈ 27 MT |
| PP bag with liner | 25 kg | ≈ 720 | ≈ 18 MT | ≈ 27 MT |
| Retail cartons | Various | — | — | — |
Where Turmeric Powder Is Used
Curry Powders and Blends
Colour and flavour base.
Natural Food Colour
Sauces, mustard, dairy, snacks and drinks.
Retail Spice Brands
Repacked haldi powder.
Nutraceuticals
Capsules and golden milk blends.
Beverages
Turmeric lattes and teas.
Cosmetics
Face packs and skincare.
Turmeric Powder Price: What Sets It
Turmeric powder is priced per metric tonne FOB, and follows the turmeric finger market and NCDEX futures.
- Curcumin grade: higher curcumin costs more.
- Finger market: powder follows Nizamabad and Erode finger prices.
- Mesh and treatment: finer mesh and steam sterilisation add cost.
- Testing: EU / US testing for lead, dyes and residues.
- Packing: retail packs cost more than 25 kg bags.
Prices move with the crop and the market, so we quote on the day. Tell us your grade, quantity and port for a current FOB, CFR or CIF price.
Tested, Certified and Traceable
EU shipments go through the Spices Board's mandatory sampling and carry the official ETO certificate. Every batch is also tested for lead, chromium, Sudan dyes and metanil yellow.
- Sourcing from Gujarat and Rajasthan mandis
- Lot sampling (Spices Board / NABL-accredited lab)
- Pesticides, ETO, aflatoxin, ochratoxin and Salmonella tests
- Spices Board clearance and export documents
Documents with every shipment
Get a Turmeric Powder Quote
Share your curcumin level, mesh and quantity, and we will send a price with the spec sheet.
Thank you. Our spices desk will send your price and spec sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What curcumin level is good for turmeric powder?
Codex and FSSAI require at least 2% curcumin. Most export buyers ask for 2.5–3% for curry blends and 3%+ for retail powder and food colour. Premium Salem-based powder can reach 4–5%.
What is the specification of turmeric powder for export?
Export turmeric powder typically has at least 2–3% curcumin, ≤ 10% moisture, total ash ≤ 9%, acid-insoluble ash ≤ 1.5%, starch ≤ 60%, lead ≤ 1.5 mg/kg with chromate negative, no Sudan dyes, aflatoxin within EU limits and Salmonella absent in 25 g.
What is the HS code for turmeric powder?
Turmeric powder is exported from India under HS 0910 30 30. Dried turmeric fingers are 0910 30 20.
What mesh size is turmeric powder?
Export turmeric powder is usually 60 mesh (250 µm) for blends, 80 mesh (177 µm) for retail and 100 mesh (149 µm) for beverages and capsules.
Is Indian turmeric powder safe from lead?
Lead chromate adulteration has been found in some South Asian turmeric, mainly in polished roots and loose powder. Elysium Agri grinds only tested fingers without colourant and tests every batch for lead, chromium and dyes, against the EU limit of 1.5 mg/kg.
Who exports turmeric powder from India?
Elysium Agri Corporation exports bulk turmeric powder in 2–5% curcumin and 60–100 mesh, tested for lead, dyes, aflatoxin and microbiology, with a steam-sterilised option and Spices Board clearance.
