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Dandelion root

Dandelion root suppliers and sourcing guide

Dandelion root is the taproot of Taraxacum officinale, a perennial in the daisy family, cultivated mainly in Eastern Europe and China and also wild harvested. Roots are washed, sliced and dried, then sold cut for tea, milled to powder, roasted and granulated for coffee-style drinks, or extracted with water or water-alcohol. The leaf is traded separately for teas and salads.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Taraxacum officinale · dandelion · pu gong ying · roasted dandelion root
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of dandelion root

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Cut and sifted root

    Dried root in tea cut for infusions, blends and further extraction.

  • Roasted root granules

    Root roasted and ground for coffee-style beverages; roast level changes color and flavor and belongs on the spec.

  • Root powder

    Dried raw root milled to a powder for capsules and blends.

  • Extract

    Water or hydroalcoholic extract sold as a liquid or spray-dried powder, by extract ratio rather than a standardized marker.

  • Organic

    Root from certified organic cultivation or certified wild collection, with the certificate tied to the lot.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity
Macroscopic and microscopic examination or HPTLC fingerprint to confirm Taraxacum root and exclude look-alike roots such as chicory.
Inulin or marker content
Inulin by enzymatic or HPLC methods where the spec calls for it; most dandelion root is sold by identity and extract ratio rather than an assay.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella. Raw cut herb and powder carry more microbial load than extracts and may be steam treated.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue screen by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS, required for organic claims and commonly asked for on conventional lots.
Physical tests
Loss on drying, particle size or mesh, and for extracts the extract ratio, carrier and residual solvents (USP <467> or the buyer's spec).

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep cut root, roasted granules and powder sealed in lined bags or drums, cool, dry and out of direct light. Powders and dry extracts pick up moisture and cake once opened, so reseal containers and limit time open on the production floor. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the marker assay is usually repeated at retest.

Lots and expiry dates

Inulin, bitterness and color change with harvest season, drying and roast, so compare each lot with an approved retain sample as well as the COA. Record origin, harvest year and roast level, and rotate stock first-expiry-first-out.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Dandelion root suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking dandelion root suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell dandelion root? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of dandelion root can brands buy?

Common forms include cut and sifted root, roasted root granules, root powder, extract and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for dandelion root include?

Expect identity, inulin or marker content, heavy metals, microbiology, pesticide residues and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should dandelion root be stored?

Keep cut root, roasted granules and powder sealed in lined bags or drums, cool, dry and out of direct light. Powders and dry extracts pick up moisture and cake once opened, so reseal containers and limit time open on the production floor. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification, and the marker assay is usually repeated at retest.

What is the regulatory status of dandelion root?

21 CFR 182.20 lists dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) and dandelion root among essential oils, oleoresins and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists dandelion root solid extract (Taraxacum spp.) as a flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 182.20. Health Canada's Dandelion natural health product monograph lists Taraxacum officinale with leaf, root and whole plant as source parts. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Taraxacum officinale (POL-NF-00736) lists the leaves, flowers and roots as not novel in food.

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