Adulteration of European Elder (Sambucus nigra) Berries and Berry Extracts

Abstract

This bulletin aims to provide general information on European elder (Sambucus nigra, syn. S. nigra subsp. nigra) berry (often spelled “elderberry”) and berries from other Sambucus species in commerce, such as American elder (S. canadensis, syn. S. nigra subsp. canadensis), blue elder (S. cerulea, syn. S. nigra subsp. cerulea), and dwarf elder (S. ebulus), and berry extracts as ingredients in dietary supplements and food products and summarize the available information on adulteration, mislabeling, counterfeiting, and fraud of elder berry extract and its products (e.g. capsules, syrups, et al.). It also provides information on trade and market dynamics, laboratory methods for detecting adulteration, and economic and safety implications for the consumer, health professional, and industry. It may be used as guidance for quality control personnel, members of the international phytomedicine and botanical supplement industries, and the extended natural products community in general.