Jalapeno Chili Powder

Jalapeño chili powder is made from dried, ground jalapeño peppers. Jalapeños are a medium-sized chili pepper, a cultivar of the plant *Capsicum annuum*, originating from the city of Jalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. The peppers are typically harvested when green and then dried and ground into a powder.

Jalapeño chili powder is used as a spice to add heat and flavor to foods. It is commonly found in savory dishes like Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, spice blends, marinades, and snacks. Manufacturers use it to enhance the taste profile of products.

Jalapeño chili powder is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as a food ingredient. Capsaicin, the active compound in chili peppers, is responsible for the heat and may have some health effects. Some studies suggest capsaicin may influence metabolism or act as an antioxidant, but evidence is mixed and more research is needed. JECFA has evaluated capsaicinoids, the compounds that give chili peppers their heat.