Food Standards Australia New Zealand has banned the importation and sale of Moringa for food (tea, powder, leaves etc). It can still be sold as medicine in some cases. You can also still grow it in your backyard, which I do. Their stated reason for this is 'lack of information'.

https://www.foodstandards.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-12/A1294%20Rejection%20report.pdf

Moringa has been eaten as a staple vegetable in South Asia and Africa for centuries. Pretty much all of it can be eaten, though some sites say to go easy on the flowers, especially if you are eating them raw or are pregnant, and I wouldn't eat the bark and roots. They are also very easy to grow. They are a tropical tree that can survive drought. They don't seem to have become a weed, but have the potential up in the tropics. You can propagate them by breaking off a branch and dropping it on the ground.

I use the leaves occasionally. I nibble on them when I am roaming the garden. They are a bit peppery. I use them like coriander to garnish pasta. And I throw them into curries etc whenever I am looking for leafy greens to add to my cooking. I haven't tried cooking the pods yet, but will get round to it one day.

From the link - I think you could say similar things about 1,000s of plants?   

It sounds like Govt over reach - too many public servants with nothing better to do. 


QUOTE:

In particular, the best available scientific evidence did not enable key safety
considerations such as the following to be adequately characterised:
− The identity and quantity of undesirable substances potentially present in
relevant parts of the Moringa oleifera plant.
− The potential for adverse effects in the short term or long term, such as
established by guideline-compliant toxicity studies in animals.
− The abortifacient effects of Moringa oleifera observed in animal studies for the
leaf and aqueous or ethanolic extracts of the leaf.
− Anecdotal reports of use of Moringa oleifera as a contraceptive and abortifacient
in humans.
− The potential genotoxicity of Moringa oleifera addressing all genotoxicity
endpoints, as demonstrated by appropriate studies conducted according to
relevant guidelines.
Given the above, FSANZ was unable to conclude that Moringa oleifera (leaves, immature
seed pods and oil) would not pose a safety concern if permitted as a food for retail sale or as
an ingredient or component in food for retail sale. FSANZ’s assessment was also that the
associated potential cost to consumer health of such a permission would outweigh its direct
and indirect benefits.

freediver wrote on Apr 27^th, 2026 at 11:55am:



Gee whiz- if you go to a herbal medicine shop there
are 100s of products that could be harmful -
concentrated extracts of so many different plants. 

The same poison risk could be levelled at cinnamon, which can be bought by the kilo in Australia.

The same for Ashwagandha...

And nutmeg...

And Oregano, Thyme, Turmeric and Cumin.

Reminds me of the TGA controversy over comfrey:

https://www.myherbalapothecary.com.au/blog/why-was-comfrey-banned-australia/

freediver wrote on Apr 27^th, 2026 at 11:55am:


Sounding like a real lefty DH there Freediver.

You do realise the amount of introduced noxious pest plants are growing out of control in Australia?

Asians/Africans & assorted other foreigners are being regularly caught at our airports trying to bring in large amounts of food materials, animal products, plants & seeds that are biosecurity risks?

And who eats a lot of apple seeds? 

Gnads wrote on May 10^th, 2026 at 1:26pm:


Didn't say it was. Instead I used the term, controversy.

Moringa's claims are way overstated, like more Vit C than oranges ... while the quantity of moringa leaf required is massive.

The food standards made the correct decision so protecting the population. It's up to the businesses wanting Moringa on ColeWorth shelves to do the hard work of proving it's safety.

Inland rural southern Australia. I have Moringa growing (deciduous). I eat Moringa leaf, have tries it's flowers, haven't produced seed pods yet,  I have sold heaps of Moringa seedlings over the last few years, and even are planning to make home made Moringa ice cream this week (from powder) . 

I will continue to consume Moringa, because the leaves are delicious fresh and with curries etc,

Ogga Booga facts are not facts. Noosa Organics forwarded an extremely weak application. The fault is with them.

I eat it because I like it. I understand claims such as it being a superfood is shaky. Don't worry about the risk of having a forced abortion.

If the government had passed Moringa and shoppers began losing their foetuses because of it ... who will be to blame ?

Back to the drawing board ... scientifically research of Moringa, then reapply. 

If the science is lacking, then yes. Alway's yes.

Ounce of precaution over a pound of cure.

I'm more invested in circumventing microplastics in all the potting soil brands, that people grow their herbs and veggies in.

Microplastic exposure is probably a multitude more risky to the population than Moringa. That said, the Food and Drug mob's job is to keep up our food standards. They rejected an application that had next to no facts backing it.

Moringa, in time, will very likely be a mainstay in the Australian diet. Jumping through the government's hoops is the only way forward.

Nutmeg, a known hallucinogen, and can also cause nausea and vomiting, dizziness and rapid heartbeat, can be legally bought by the sackful in Australia.

Ai_Killed_Humanity wrote on May 13^th, 2026 at 3:03pm:


Sorry, I must have missed the answer bit. What is it? You appear to be hinting at yes, but cannot bring yourself to actually say it.

Why is that? Common sense kicking in?

Ai_Killed_Humanity wrote on May 13^th, 2026 at 6:08pm:


You are the one that changed the topic to any/all foods. It is not back pedalling. It is asking whether you are a hypocrite.

Do you think that all those foods that people have been eating since the birth of human agriculture, or even since before then, should be banned until someone "scientifically proves" that they are safe to eat?

Do you think that all those foods that people have been eating since the birth of human agriculture, or even since before then, should be banned until someone "scientifically proves" that they are safe to eat?

You keep insisting you have answered this question, but all I see you do is dodge it.

I am not suggesting we go anywhere. You are. Have you been evading so long that you have forgotten what prompted this question?

Do you think that all those foods that people have been eating since the birth of human agriculture, or even since before then, should be banned until someone "scientifically proves" that they are safe to eat?

A hard yes to what exactly?

Do you think that all those foods that people have been eating since the birth of human agriculture, or even since before then, should be banned until someone "scientifically proves" that they are safe to eat?

Is it yes because you think it will only affect businesses, not anyone else? Another way of sticking it to the man?

Quote:


What about all those foods that people have been eating since the birth of human agriculture, or even since before then? Should they be banned until someone "scientifically proves" that they are safe to eat?

Are you trying to avoid the question, or just coming up with slogans to chant while you are kicking over tables at the local farmers market?

Bobby. wrote on May 14^th, 2026 at 8:16pm:


Yes Bobby, but there is scientific proof that it is killing us. That's different. There's rigger in it.

Marla wrote on May 14^th, 2026 at 10:03pm:


I don't want to be dependent on any drug:
alcohol,
cigarettes,
pot,
heroin,
cocaine,
meth  etc.


You don't get something for nothing.
However high you get you come down to much lower than normal -
just like an alcoholic with a hangover to deal with -
then the only way out is to have more of your drug.   

Better to get high from life - do interesting things -
have interesting hobbies -
talk to interesting people who inspire you.

Marla wrote on May 14^th, 2026 at 11:22pm:



Marla has sold her soul to Satan.   

freediver wrote on May 13^th, 2026 at 12:56pm:


What bollocks.

Who's sending in an application for apples?

They are already a recognised fruit - globally.

The toxicity of their seeds does not escape into the fruit & it is common knowledge not to eat them.

Probably at more risk from the sprays they use on them if you don't wash your apples when you get them home.

Speaking of banning or at least keeping it honest….honey.
Why are some honeys mixed with other crap?
Leave real honey alone. Don’t insult the bees!
I recently came back from The Whitsundays, I bought honey supposedly 100% raw tropical honey.
It’s very runny and tastes like 90% golden syrup.
We’ve had bee keepers with their hives on our property in past, and I buy local raw honey …I reckon I’m a bit fanatical about honey….and it’s completely different to this one I bought. The commercial honey with mixed stuff is exactly like this one I just bought. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m going on a quest to find out what part of that honey is 100% raw.
Qld rules may be different with what is stated in ingredients?
I’ve even bought honey from Kangaroo Island SA made from Roman Ligurian bees … and it’s fricken amazing!
So for now, I’m disappointed with this tropical rainforest honey.

Gnads wrote on May 17^th, 2026 at 11:41am:


Oh yeah! I forgot about the hoo ha RE: Capilano. And this “rainforest honey” tastes just as cheap and similar runny consistency! I had avoided Capilano since.

freediver wrote on May 17^th, 2026 at 2:59pm:


So you think because you want to buy processed Moringa it shouldn't have been banned from commercial sale by the TGA?

Grow you're own tree & you can eat all you like. DH

freediver wrote on May 18^th, 2026 at 12:09pm:


So what's the post really in aid of? Click bait?

freediver wrote on May 20^th, 2026 at 1:16pm:


What has Moringa got to do with Politics? 

freediver wrote on May 23^rd, 2026 at 12:41pm:


You tard it was banned by the Therapeutic Goods Administration not the Alboslease Govt.

It is a Govt authority which is part of the Department of Health, the TGA assesses, approves, and continually monitors the safety, quality, and efficacy of medicines, medical devices, vaccines, biologicals, and other health products.

It operates regardless of what side of politics is in Govt.

Are the Labor Party Front Bench all scientists now? 

You have a Moringa tree & eat from it which is perfectly legal... so STFU.

It's been banned as a commercial food ingredient.

However Moringa oleifera has not been banned from & remains legal to sell and consume as a therapeutic medicine or dietary supplement in most of the world (when sold in properly registered capsule or pill forms), including Australia.

I saw an add yesterday from Chemist Warehouse for a weight loss patch that contains Moringa.

Moringa in it's entirety has not been banned - in fact only a small part has ....

so once again I say to you your post has been a load of bollocks.

Moringa oleifera growers push to overturn ban on ancient 'superfood'

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2026-07-09/moringa-oleifera-growers-fsanz-ban-appeal/106888404

Australian Moringa oleifera growers are unsure whether they will able to sell their product after the next harvest.

Moringa cannot be sold as a food or food ingredient after Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) ruled in November 2025 that it was unable to establish that it was safe for human consumption.

Somerset region grower Gary Duffy is leading an appeal to reverse the decision.

Parts of Moringa oleifera, or drumstick tree, are used in Eastern recipes and in health supplements.

The FSANZ ruling applies to the leaves, immature pods and oils of the plant, which can now be destroyed at the Australian border or re-exported.

However, therapeutic products or supplements that contain moringa, such as capsules and powders, will remain available for purchase only if they are registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration [TGA].

Mr Duffy has written to federal, state and territory health ministers to seek a stay on the determination while FSANZ assesses his appeal.

"Fresh product going into the Melbourne and Sydney markets was all imported from overseas, and we [Australian growers] want to try to bridge that gap," he said.

A spokesperson from the federal Department of Health, Disability and Ageing said the rejection was not open to FSANZ or the minister to review or suspend and advised Mr Duffy that a new application would be welcomed.

A decision on his new application could take up to two years.

Wide Bay grower Joel Molloy hopes there will be an outcome sooner rather than later.

He was involved in the industry for 10 years before relocating from the Gold Coast to Rosedale, five hours' drive north of Brisbane, to establish his own farm.

He bought the property just before FSANZ handed down its decision.

"I invested everything I had into this farm, and it's 10 years of work, and then just overnight it's gone," Mr Molloy said.

"It's a kick in the guts.

"We were never consulted; we were never warned."

The ban

FSANZ's decision was in response to an application in January 2024 from Noosa Organica Pty Ltd to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to list Moringa oleifera as a food or food ingredient.

After reviewing the application and external studies, the statutory body handed down its decision in November 2025.

FSANZ's assessment raised concerns about the reproductive effects noted in mice and conflicting results around genotoxicity.

In its rejection report, FSANZ noted that information in the application or peer-reviewed literature concerning the safety of the seed pods or oil was limited.

"The decision reinforces that robust high-quality scientific evidence is required when seeking approval for novel foods," a spokesperson said.

The authority added it could not determine a safe level of exposure without further human studies.

Food industry consultant Courtney Stewart said that was standard procedure for foods not widely available in Australia.

"There might be ingredients that people wish were on the market, but FSANZ is just looking out for consumers to make sure everything is safe for consumption," she said.

"Until there is historical data to show something is safe over the long term, then they won't approve anything, and I think that's a good conservative approach until we have that information."

Cultural significance

Parts of the plant have been used in Asia, Africa and the Middle East for centuries.

University of New England biomedical science senior lecturer Vandana Gulati has researched medicinal plants for more than 20 years and said moringa's various uses made it unique.

"[Oil extracted from the seeds] contains many phytochemicals that have really good activities for infections, fever and for skin health," she said.

"[In Indian culture] we use the leaves to make curries and the seed pods, which are known as the drumstick, are also used in cooking."

Dr Gulati said the culture traditionally considered the plant a "superfood" because every part had a benefit, but she understood the safety concerns for people who did not regularly consume Moringa oleifera.

It is not illegal to chew betel nut in Australia.

Are you suggesting that Moringa is somehow equivalent to highly addictive drugs? It s a common daily food in asia and africa. It is eaten by billions of people worldwide, and has been eaten as food for thousands of years. It is not a "novel food".