Chia seeds on a wooden spoon

Chia seeds wholesale: EU novel food conditions, quality checks and private label

Short answer: chia seeds (Salvia hispanica) are an authorised novel food in the EU. You may sell them pre-packed as such and use them in a defined list of food categories, some with maximum levels (5% in bread products, 10% whole chia seeds in baked products and breakfast cereals), and the label must call them 'Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica)'. GOA Supply sells whole chia seeds in 10, 50 and 100 kg for wholesale and private label.

What are chia seeds?

Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) is a summer annual plant of the mint family (Lamiaceae, also called Labiatae), native to southern Mexico and northern Guatemala and grown today in several countries in Latin America. The seeds are small and oval, mostly grey-black with some white seeds in between. They are harvested, cleaned and sorted, and sold whole.

For food producers, the most important property of chia is technical: in contact with liquid, the seeds form a gel layer around the seed. That makes chia useful in puddings, drinks, jams and fruit preparations, and it is why bakeries use the seeds both for appearance and for water binding.

Chia seeds at GOA Supply

Item Chia seeds
Product Whole chia seeds (Salvia hispanica)
Characteristics Vegan
HS code 120799
Order quantities 10, 50 or 100 kg; smaller quantities on request
Documents Specification and certificate of analysis (CoA) on request
Typical business use Bread and bakery, breakfast cereals, bars and seed mixes, dairy and desserts, drinks, retail packs

See the chia seeds product page for prices per tier.

Chia seeds in the EU: the novel food conditions

Chia seeds were first authorised as a novel food for bread in 2009 and the uses were extended several times. Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/24 replaced the entry in the Union list of novel foods (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470). Under that entry, chia seeds may be used in:

Food category Maximum level
Bread products 5% (whole or ground chia seeds)
Baked products 10% whole chia seeds
Breakfast cereals 10% whole chia seeds
Sterilised ready-to-eat meals based on cereal grains, pseudocereal grains and/or pulses 5% whole chia seeds
Fruit, nut and seed mixes; pre-packaged chia seed as such; confectionery (excluding chewing gum); dairy products and analogues; edible ices; fruit and vegetable products; non-alcoholic beverages; puddings that do not need heat treatment at or above 120 °C No maximum level listed

The label of every food that contains the seeds must use the designation 'Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica)'. The 2020 amendment also removed the earlier labelling requirement about a maximum daily intake. The limit on puddings comes from the scientific opinion behind the amendment: EFSA asked for more data on acrylamide formation when chia seeds are heated at or above 120 °C, so uses that need such heat treatment were not extended at that time.

Two practical consequences for buyers. First, food supplements are not among the listed categories for whole chia seeds, so chia capsules or tablets need a separate regulatory check. Second, chia seed oil and partially defatted chia seed powders are separate novel food entries with their own conditions. Always check the consolidated Union list for the version in force when you launch.

The EU Novel Food Catalogue lists Salvia hispanica (seed, seed oil and partially defatted seed powder) as an authorised novel food. In France, the Compl'Alim database lists Salvia hispanica L. with the seed and seed oil as authorised parts.

What to check when you buy chia seeds wholesale

  • Purity and foreign matter. Chia is a field crop, so ask for the purity after cleaning and the limits for foreign seeds, stones and plant material.
  • Microbiology. Seeds are often eaten without heating, for example soaked in drinks and puddings. Check that the specification includes microbiological criteria and that the CoA per batch reports them.
  • Contaminants and residues. Ask for pesticide residue results and heavy metals on the CoA, and check them against EU limits for your use.
  • Allergen cross-contact. Chia is not one of the 14 allergens in Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, but seeds can be cleaned or packed in facilities that also handle allergens such as sesame or mustard. Ask for an allergen statement covering cross-contact.
  • Origin and colour. The country of origin and the share of white seeds can vary per batch. If appearance matters for your bread or retail pack, ask for a sample of the current batch.
  • Storage. Store the seeds dry, cool and away from light and pests, in closed packaging, and use older batches first.

Private label chia seeds

For private label, we supply whole chia seeds in bulk for your own retail packs and label. Health food stores, webshops and food brands sell pre-packed chia seeds as such, which is one of the authorised categories. As the brand owner, you arrange the label under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, with the designation 'Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica)', and any claim under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

Food producers use the seeds as an ingredient. In that case, the maximum levels above apply to your recipe, and the designation must appear in the ingredient list of your product.

Ordering chia seeds in bulk

  • Standard quantities: 10, 50 or 100 kg; smaller quantities on request.
  • Prices exclude shipping; we can arrange transport.
  • Orders are usually shipped within 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Specification and CoA on request.

Chia seeds are part of our superfoods range. Use our checklist for buying in bulk to prepare your supplier questions, request a quote on the wholesale page, or see the private label page for your own brand.

FAQ about chia seeds wholesale

Are chia seeds a novel food?
Yes. Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica) are an authorised novel food in the EU. The conditions of use are set in the Union list, in the entry replaced by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/24.

How much chia can I put in bread?
Up to 5% whole or ground chia seeds in bread products, and up to 10% whole chia seeds in other baked products and in breakfast cereals.

What must the label say?
The designation 'Chia seeds (Salvia hispanica)' on every food that contains them. A statement on maximum daily intake is no longer required since the 2020 amendment.

Can I sell chia seeds in capsules?
Food supplements are not among the listed categories for whole chia seeds. Check the Union list and ask your competent authority before you develop such a product.

Can I sell chia seeds under my own brand?
Yes. Pre-packaged chia seed as such is an authorised category. We supply the seeds in bulk for your own packaging and label.

Sources

Written by Florian Fermin, co-owner of GOA Supply.

Back to blog