Tabasco Powder

Tabasco powder is a dried and ground form of the Tabasco pepper, a variety of chili pepper (Capsicum frutescens). The peppers are harvested, dried, and then ground into a fine powder, often retaining some of the vinegar and salt used in the original Tabasco sauce.

Manufacturers use Tabasco powder primarily as a flavoring agent to impart a spicy, peppery heat and a distinctive flavor profile. It is commonly found in snack foods like popcorn, peanuts, and pork rinds, as well as in processed meats such as sausages and hot dogs.

Tabasco powder is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use as a flavoring. Capsaicin, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat, is being studied for potential health effects, but research is ongoing and not conclusive. JECFA has evaluated chili extracts, but no specific evaluation for Tabasco powder is readily available. At typical consumption levels in food, it is unlikely to pose health risks.