Cayenne pepper
What is Cayenne pepper?
Cayenne pepper is a cultivar of the chilli pepper plant, Capsicum annuum. It is known for its pungent, spicy flavour and is typically dried and ground into a powder for culinary use. The heat comes from capsaicinoids, particularly capsaicin.
Is Cayenne pepper vegan?
Cayenne pepper is not animal-derived. Products that contain it can still include other animal-derived ingredients, so check the full ingredient list.
Is Cayenne pepper a major allergen?
Cayenne pepper is not one of the 14 major allergens that UK law requires to be emphasised on food labels.
What is Cayenne pepper used for?
Cayenne pepper is primarily used as a spice to add heat and flavour to a wide variety of dishes.
Is Cayenne pepper safe?
Cayenne pepper is a spice and not considered a food additive in the UK.
Why it's used
Cayenne pepper is primarily used as a spice to add heat and flavour to a wide variety of dishes. Manufacturers include it in savoury foods such as sauces, marinades, processed meats, and snack seasonings. Its intense flavour profile makes it a popular choice for adding a kick to meals.
Health notes
Cayenne pepper is a spice and not considered a food additive in the UK. It is not listed on the Register of Food Additive Authorisations. While capsaicin, the active compound in cayenne, has been studied for various potential health effects, evidence is mixed and often based on high-dose or specific study conditions. The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified capsaicin as 'not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans' (Group 3).
Allergen info
Cayenne pepper is not one of the 14 major allergens that UK law requires to be emphasised on food labels. Not a major allergen.
Foods that contain Cayenne pepper
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