Irritant and sensitizer according to EFSA
Expert assessmentEFSA FEEDAP opinion 2020Rhizome extract, oil, oleoresin and tincture
EFSA concludes that these additives should be considered irritants for skin, eyes and the respiratory tract, and skin sensitizers. The opinion concerns animal feed: the hazard classification applies to the material12.
Contact allergy: three published cases
Case reportsPublications from 1987, 1997 and 2016
One contact allergy to curcumin7, one to turmeric8 and one to the turmeric in a massage oil9 are described.
A spice widely used topically
Review2023 reviewTurmeric allergy
The review recalls that turmeric is in common topical use, notably in South India, and that its allergenic potential is reported in several cases and studies. Dermatologists and consumers should be aware of it6.