Netherlands proposes ban on ashwagandha in supplements; consultation till December 7

The Netherlands has put forward draft rules that would ban ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), the best-known herb of Ayurveda, from herbal preparations and food supplements sold in the country, citing potential health risks. The draft, reported on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, would also ban Huperzia serrata and its extract huperzine A, and cap black cohosh at 40 mg a day. It is open for public consultation until December 7, 2026. If adopted, the rules could take effect as early as the end of 2026, followed by a six-month transition period for businesses, according to trade press reports on the proposal.

Ashwagandha has become one of the most widely sold Ayurvedic herbs in the world, marketed for stress, sleep and energy in capsules, gummies and powders. Its rise has drawn closer attention from food-safety regulators, who treat these products as supplements rather than medicines. In that framework a product does not have to prove it works, but it must be shown to be safe, and regulators in several European countries have been weighing reports of liver injury and questions about effects on hormones and pregnancy.

The Dutch move matters because it would add a third EU member state to the list of outright bans, rather than the warning labels and dose limits used elsewhere. Industry groups have opposed earlier Dutch plans and argued for dose limits and warnings instead of a ban. The Netherlands has consulted on an ashwagandha ban before, in 2025, so the final outcome is still open, and the current text may change after the consultation.

For India, the story has two sides. Ashwagandha is a significant export herb, and Europe is one of the markets where Indian growers, extract makers and Ayurvedic brands sell. Tighter rules there could push companies to invest more in safety data, standardised root extracts and clear labelling. At the same time, the regulatory direction in India and Europe is broadly similar: India's own food regulator has already restricted leaf use and limited supplements to the root, the part traditionally used in Ayurveda.

The wider lesson for the Ayush sector is that global acceptance depends on evidence that satisfies regulators, not on tradition alone. Well-designed safety trials, reporting of adverse events and consistent product quality are what decide whether a traditional herb stays on European shelves.

Short-term: Dutch sellers, importers and Indian exporters have until December 7 to make their case in the consultation. Consumers in the Netherlands can still buy existing products while the rules are under discussion.

Long-term: If the ban is adopted, more EU countries may review their stance, and exporters may need stronger safety dossiers to keep access to European markets.

Who is affected: Ayurvedic and supplement brands selling in Europe, Indian ashwagandha farmers and extract manufacturers, Dutch retailers and consumers, and regulators weighing herbal safety.

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