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Rosemary

Rosemary suppliers and sourcing guide

Rosemary is the dried leaf of Rosmarinus officinalis (now often classed as Salvia rosmarinus), an evergreen shrub in the mint family grown mainly in Morocco, Tunisia, Spain and Turkey. Branches are cut and dried, and the needle-like leaves are stripped, cleaned and sold whole, cut or ground. Brands buy the leaf for seasonings, breads, meats and sauces, and rosemary oil for flavors; rosemary extracts sold to slow fat oxidation are a separate ingredient.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Rosmarinus officinalis · Salvia rosmarinus · Rosemary leaf
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of rosemary

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

  • Whole leaf

    Dried needles sold by origin and stem content.

  • Cut and ground

    Cut leaf and fine powder for blends and rubs.

  • Rosemary oil

    Steam-distilled oil, often standardized for 1,8-cineole or camphor depending on origin.

  • Steam-treated and organic

    Steam-treated rosemary for ready-to-eat use, and certified organic lots.

What to check on the COA

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

Volatile oil
Volatile oil by steam distillation, the main strength figure.
Stems and extraneous matter
Percent stems and foreign matter by sorting; leaf herbs are sold on freedom from stems.
Moisture
Moisture by distillation or loss on drying.
Total and acid-insoluble ash
Ash by gravimetry; acid-insoluble ash measures sand and soil and is the usual cleanliness check for rosemary.
Pesticide residues
Multi-residue pesticide screen by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS against the buyer specification.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella; raw spices commonly carry high counts, so state whether the lot was steam-treated or otherwise treated.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store rosemary in sealed, lined bags or containers in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor; heat, light and air drive off volatile oil, and damp storage invites mold and insects. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, and volatile oil and micro are the usual retests for older stock.

Lots and expiry dates

Volatile oil and color vary by origin and harvest, so record origin, volatile oil and stem content for each lot.

Regulatory status

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

  • 21 CFR 182.10 lists rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • 21 CFR 182.20 lists rosemary extractives, including essential oil and solvent-free oleoresin, among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • FDA's Compliance Policy Guide 525.750 describes rosemary as the clean, whole dried leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis, with quality measured by volatile oil, ash, moisture and freedom from stems.

    Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's oral rosemary natural health product monograph lists the dried leaf of Rosmarinus officinalis as source material.

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

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.

Rosemary suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking rosemary 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 rosemary? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of rosemary can brands buy?

Common forms include whole leaf, cut and ground, rosemary oil and steam-treated and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for rosemary include?

Expect volatile oil, stems and extraneous matter, moisture, total and acid-insoluble ash, pesticide residues and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should rosemary be stored?

Store rosemary in sealed, lined bags or containers in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor; heat, light and air drive off volatile oil, and damp storage invites mold and insects. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, and volatile oil and micro are the usual retests for older stock.

What is the regulatory status of rosemary?

21 CFR 182.10 lists rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. 21 CFR 182.20 lists rosemary extractives, including essential oil and solvent-free oleoresin, among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. FDA's Compliance Policy Guide 525.750 describes rosemary as the clean, whole dried leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis, with quality measured by volatile oil, ash, moisture and freedom from stems. Health Canada's oral rosemary natural health product monograph lists the dried leaf of Rosmarinus officinalis as source material.

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