Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for Common Food Spices

Cinnamon

Identification: Name: Cinnamon, Synonyms: Cassia, Botanical Source: Cinnamomum verum.
Hazard Identification: Dust may irritate nose, throat, and eyes. Large ingestion brings risk of digestive upset.
Composition / Information on Ingredients: Pure ground cinnamon bark, main chemical: cinnamaldehyde (50–65%).
First Aid Measures: For eye or skin exposure, rinse thoroughly with water. If inhaled, move to fresh air. Ingested, drink water to dilute.
Fire-Fighting Measures: Use dry chemical, CO₂, water spray. Fine particles increase risk of dust explosion in storage.
Accidental Release Measures: Avoid triggering dust clouds. Sweep into sealed container for disposal. Ventilate affected area.
Handling and Storage: Store in cool, dry spot away from heat, sunlight, or open flames. Use air-tight containers.
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection: Wear goggles, gloves, dust mask in confined spaces or with bulk volumes. Good ventilation limits risk.
Physical and Chemical Properties: Tan/reddish powder, spicy aroma, low solubility in water, density 0.50–0.60 g/cm³.
Stability and Reactivity: Stable under normal conditions; may react with strong oxidizers. Avoid excessive heat.
Toxicological Information: High dust inhalation may worsen asthma. Large oral doses can cause gastric distress or liver irritation.
Ecological Information: Biodegradable, low aquatic toxicity expected, not persistent in environment.
Disposal Considerations: Compost in small amounts, landfill in sealed bags if spoiled. Follow local guidelines.
Transport Information: Not regulated. Transport in sealed containers, avoid moisture.
Regulatory Information: Food-grade cinnamon FDA approved, no special labeling required for food use.

Black Pepper

Identification: Name: Black Pepper, Botanical Source: Piper nigrum.
Hazard Identification: Inhaled dust can irritate airways. Large intake may cause digestive upset.
Composition / Information on Ingredients: Crushed dried peppercorns, key compound: piperine (3–9%).
First Aid Measures: Flush eyes with water, wash skin with soap, move to fresh air if inhaled. Drink fluids if swallowed.
Fire-Fighting Measures: Use water, foam, or CO₂ extinguisher. Pepper powder may become flammable as fine dust.
Accidental Release Measures: Sweep up to minimize dust, place in waste container. Clean surfaces with wet cloth.
Handling and Storage: Keep airtight and dry, away from direct light, in food-safe containers.
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection: Use dust mask in processing environments, gloves for large handling jobs.
Physical and Chemical Properties: Black-gray coarse powder or whole beads, sharp odor, bulk density 0.4–0.6 g/cm³.
Stability and Reactivity: Stable, avoid excessive heat and strong acids.
Toxicological Information: Mild irritant to eyes and respiratory tract. Not carcinogenic. LD50 (oral, rat) >2000 mg/kg.
Ecological Information: Rapidly degradable, not hazardous to aquatic life in typical quantities.
Disposal Considerations: Compost or dispose as organic solid waste. Avoid large releases into water systems.
Transport Information: Not hazardous, store dry and secure.
Regulatory Information: Recognized as safe by FDA for food applications.

Turmeric

Identification: Name: Turmeric, Botanical Source: Curcuma longa.
Hazard Identification: Dust may irritate eyes and airways. No long-term health effects at food doses.
Composition / Information on Ingredients: Powdered turmeric rhizome, main active: curcumin (3–5%).
First Aid Measures: Flush eyes thoroughly, wash skin. Move to fresh air if inhaled. Rinse mouth and drink water if swallowed.
Fire-Fighting Measures: Extinguish with foam, dry chemical, or CO₂. Fine dust is flammable in high concentrations.
Accidental Release Measures: Collect using shovel or vacuum to avoid dust. Clean area with wet cloth. Avoid waterway contamination.
Handling and Storage: Keep cool, dry, sealed. Avoid open flames or intense heat.
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection: Use gloves, masks, and goggles in bulk handling or processing.
Physical and Chemical Properties: Yellow-orange powder, faint earthy odor, density about 0.5 g/cm³.
Stability and Reactivity: Non-reactive under normal storage, degrades with sunlight and heat.
Toxicological Information: Inhalation and ingestion of small quantities have low risk. High amounts may cause nausea.
Ecological Information: Rapidly breaks down, minimal impact in soil or water.
Disposal Considerations: Compost or landfill in sealed bags. Large spills: prevent from entering drains.
Transport Information: No transport restrictions, keep dry.
Regulatory Information: Approved by global food agencies, not listed as hazardous.

Coriander

Identification: Name: Coriander, Synonyms: Cilantro seed, Botanical Source: Coriandrum sativum.
Hazard Identification: Mild allergen for sensitive individuals. Dust may irritate nose and throat.
Composition / Information on Ingredients: Ground or whole dried seeds, primary oil: linalool.
First Aid Measures: Rinse eyes with lukewarm water. Skin contact: wash area, inhalation: move outside for fresh air.
Fire-Fighting Measures: Use dry chemical or water. Fine powders risk dust explosions.
Accidental Release Measures: Ventilate space, sweep into sealable container. Limit dust generation.
Handling and Storage: Store cool and dry, sealed containers. Avoid direct sunlight.
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection: Gloves and masks recommended for frequent handling or processing.
Physical and Chemical Properties: Light brown seed or fine powder, citrus-herb scent, density 0.45–0.55 g/cm³.
Stability and Reactivity: Keeps stable if stored dry. Reacts with strong oxidizers.
Toxicological Information: Non-toxic at normal food doses. Allergic reactions in rare cases.
Ecological Information: Degradable and low toxicity.
Disposal Considerations: Compost or municipal waste. Avoid release of large amounts into water.
Transport Information: Safe for regular food shipment.
Regulatory Information: No food safety restrictions, generally recognized as safe.

Chili Powder

Identification: Name: Chili Powder, Derived from: Capsicum annuum or related species.
Hazard Identification: Severe eye and respiratory irritant. Contact with skin causes burning in sensitive people.
Composition / Information on Ingredients: Dried and ground chili peppers, may include salt, cumin, oregano. Main active: capsaicin (0.1–2%).
First Aid Measures: Flush skin or eyes with water. Seek medical help if symptoms persist. Fresh air for inhalation.
Fire-Fighting Measures: Control with water spray, CO₂. Fine dust increases flammability risk.
Accidental Release Measures: Avoid breathing dust or touching face. Sweep and collect with minimum agitation.
Handling and Storage: Store tightly sealed, away from heat. Label containers for irritation risk.
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection: Gloves, eye protection, and dust mask required during bulk handling.
Physical and Chemical Properties: Deep red powder, pungent odor, spicy flavor, low solubility in water.
Stability and Reactivity: Stable at room temperature, avoid oxidizers.
Toxicological Information: Capsaicin is irritant to mucous membranes, not carcinogenic, high doses cause digestive discomfort.
Ecological Information: Rapidly degrades, low environmental hazard.
Disposal Considerations: Small quantities in compost or sealed trash. Prevent large spills from contaminating water.
Transport Information: Not regulated as hazardous.
Regulatory Information: Safe under food regulations, capsaicin content subject to food ingredient standards.

Cloves

Identification: Name: Cloves, Botanical Source: Syzygium aromaticum.
Hazard Identification: Inhaled dust can irritate nose. Contains eugenol, a mild skin sensitizer.
Composition / Information on Ingredients: Dried flower buds, main compound: eugenol (up to 90% of oil fraction).
First Aid Measures: Rinse affected eyes or skin with water. Fresh air for inhalation, rinse mouth if swallowed.
Fire-Fighting Measures: Extinguish with water, foam, or CO₂. Dust cloud is a fire risk.
Accidental Release Measures: Sweep up without stirring dust, dispose of in sealed bags.
Handling and Storage: Store cool, dry, and in shade. Prevent humidity exposure.
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection: Gloves, apron, and mask for grinding operations.
Physical and Chemical Properties: Brown whole buds or powder, high oil content, strong spicy scent.
Stability and Reactivity: Stable under standard storage, reacts with oxidizing agents.
Toxicological Information: Large ingestion can upset stomach. Skin contact dermatitis possible in sensitive persons.
Ecological Information: Low risk for environment, naturally decomposes.
Disposal Considerations: Compost if possible, sealed landfill for bulk.
Transport Information: Standard food shipment, no special hazards.
Regulatory Information: Non-restricted, widely accepted for food use.

Nutmeg

Identification: Name: Nutmeg, Botanical Source: Myristica fragrans.
Hazard Identification: High doses are toxic, causing nausea, hallucinations, or convulsions. Dust irritates eyes and lungs.
Composition / Information on Ingredients: Dried seed, dominant compounds: myristicin, safrole, eugenol.
First Aid Measures: Remove affected individual from exposure, rinse skin/eyes with water, seek medical help for large ingestion.
Fire-Fighting Measures: Suppress fires with dry chemical or CO₂. Volatile oils are flammable.
Accidental Release Measures: Ventilate area, sweep up dry powder, use gloves/container.
Handling and Storage: Lock away from children, seal in dark, cool space.
Exposure Controls and Personal Protection: Mask, gloves, and goggles in processing environments.
Physical and Chemical Properties: Brown powder, aromatic, oily texture, density about 0.68 g/cm³.
Stability and Reactivity: Stable, keep away from acids and bases.
Toxicological Information: Toxic at high oral doses: nausea, dizziness, strong psychoactive effects, especially in children.
Ecological Information: Not persistent, degrades naturally.
Disposal Considerations: Compost minor waste, dispose of bulk securely.
Transport Information: Dry, sealed, separated from chemicals.
Regulatory Information: Monitored for content of myristicin in some jurisdictions.