Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormBotanical extract powder
Industry PositionFood Ingredient (Flavor/Functional Ingredient Input)
Market
Basil extract (Ocimum basilicum L.) in China is commercially supplied as a standardized botanical-extract powder, commonly marketed with extraction-ratio specifications (e.g., 10:1) and food/pharmaceutical-grade positioning by Chinese ingredient manufacturers. A portion of China’s basil-extract supply base is located in established botanical-extraction clusters such as Xi’an, Shaanxi Province (example manufacturer location). For domestic commercialization in China when positioned as a food additive/flavoring material, feasibility depends on whether the substance/use fits China’s GB 2760 positive-list framework (GB 2760-2024 implemented on February 8, 2025) or requires a “new food additive” registration pathway with the National Health Commission. For export-oriented trade, buyers typically treat basil extract as a plant-derived ingredient requiring strong identity, contaminant, and traceability documentation to reduce border and customer-audit risk.
Market RoleManufacturing and export supply base; domestic ingredient market (regulation-driven)
Domestic RoleIngredient input for food, dietary supplement, and related formulations sold in China (subject to additive/use classification and positive-list compliance)
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Specification
Primary VarietyOcimum basilicum L.
Physical Attributes- Yellow-brown/brown powder appearance (example supplier specification)
- Powder particle size marketed as 80 mesh pass (example supplier specification)
Compositional Metrics- Example supplier CoA-style metrics include: loss on drying limit (e.g., ≤9.0%) and ash limit (e.g., ≤5.0%)
- Example supplier heavy-metal limits are marketed (e.g., total heavy metals ≤20 ppm; As ≤1 ppm; Pb ≤2 ppm; Cd ≤1 ppm; Hg ≤1 ppm)
Grades- Food/Pharmaceutical grade (supplier-claimed positioning)
- Assay approach may be described as ratio + TLC conformity (supplier-claimed)
Packaging- Commonly marketed pack sizes include 1 kg/bag, 5 kg/bag, and 25 kg/drum (example supplier specification)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Basil leaf raw material sourcing → extraction (marketed as solid extraction using water & ethanol) → concentration/solvent removal → drying and milling to powder → in-house QC (e.g., TLC/CoA-style release) → packaging (e.g., 25 kg drums) → domestic distribution and/or export
Temperature- Stability risk is typically managed via dry storage and packaging suitable for preventing moisture pickup during distribution (powder extract format).
Shelf Life- Example supplier marketing claims a 2-year shelf life for basil extract powder (product-specific supplier claim; not a national standard).
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Labor & Human Rights HighFor shipments entering the United States, the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) creates a rebuttable presumption against goods produced wholly or in part in Xinjiang or by entities on the UFLPA Entity List; insufficient supply-chain proof can result in detention or exclusion, even for botanical-extract products sourced from China.Maintain end-to-end traceability (farms/collectors → processors → extract manufacturer), avoid Xinjiang-linked inputs where possible, and prepare “clear and convincing” evidence packages (supplier declarations, transaction records, production records, test reports) before shipment.
Regulatory Compliance HighIf basil extract is positioned for use in China as a food additive/flavoring substance and the specific substance/use is not covered by GB 2760-2024 (or applicable related standards/announcements), it may be treated as a “new food additive,” requiring NHC submission and approval before legal use or sale.Perform an ingredient/use-case determination against GB 2760-2024 and related NHC announcements; if not covered, plan a “new food additive” registration pathway (including safety assessment dossier) before commercialization.
Food Safety MediumContaminant variability (e.g., heavy metals and other residues) can create rejection risk if supplier controls are weak or if buyer specifications exceed supplier baselines; vendor CoAs are not a substitute for independent verification.Use independent third-party testing on first shipments and periodically thereafter; align acceptance specs (identity + contaminants) in purchase contracts and audit supplier QC systems.
Documentation Gap MediumInconsistent or incomplete documentation (e.g., missing batch linkage between raw material, extraction batch, and finished-lot CoA) can delay customs clearance and trigger buyer audit failures.Standardize a document pack (CoA, batch/lot records, production dates, labeling, traceability records) and run pre-shipment document reconciliation.
Labor & Social- For U.S.-bound trade, China-origin supply chains can face forced-labor enforcement scrutiny under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA); importers may need detailed upstream documentation to rebut the presumption if any link to Xinjiang or listed entities is alleged.
Standards- ISO 22000
- HACCP
- Halal (buyer/channel-specific)
- Kosher (buyer/channel-specific)
FAQ
In what form is basil extract commonly supplied by Chinese manufacturers?A common commercial form is a yellow-brown/brown botanical-extract powder marketed with an extraction ratio (for example, 10:1) and supplied in packaging such as 1 kg/5 kg bags or 25 kg drums, based on Chinese supplier product specifications.
Which China regulation is most relevant if basil extract is used as a food additive or flavoring input in China?GB 2760-2024 (issued by China’s National Health Commission and State Administration for Market Regulation) is the key national standard for food additive use, and it entered into force on February 8, 2025.
What happens if basil extract (or its intended use) is not covered by China’s permitted food additive lists?It may be treated as a “new food additive,” which means a company typically needs to submit a registration application and safety assessment materials to China’s National Health Commission before it can be legally used or marketed for that purpose.