Health
Saffron health benefits may include:
- improved mood
- possibly be an aphrodisiac
- reduced PMS symptoms
- detoxification
- weight loss
Saffron benefits also include being…
- Possibly Alkaline 8.0 pH level (fresh spices) once digested
- Gluten Free
- Not a common Food Allergen
Environment
Water footprint: possibly high, it takes 7,048 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of spices / 845 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of spices
Carbon footprint: low, 1.6 kg CO2e to produce 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds of spices, a car driving equivalent of 3.75 miles or 6 kilometers
Destruction: low, there is no known significant damage to air, water, land, soil, forests, etc., be sure to buy Non-GMO/organic, as toxic, chemical pesticides contaminate air, water, soil, etc.
Saffron is…
- Moderately sustainable
Animals
Kills: none, saffron production does not require any animals to die
Harms: none, saffron production does require any animals
Indirectly kills or harms: none, be sure to buy Non-GMO/organic, as pesticides harm and kill wildlife and ecosystems via soil, water, air contamination
Saffron is…
- Vegan
- Harmful to wildlife and ecosystems unless organic
Laborers
Health and safety: varies, overall, agriculture continues to be one of the most dangerous industries, farmworkers may be subject to dehydration, heat stroke, unprotected exposure to harmful, toxic chemicals and pesticides, unsafe machinery and clean drinking water may not always accessible
Living conditions: varies, exploitation is common among all laborers, they may face tough working conditions including long hours in the sun and heat performing physically exhausting tasks, labor laws and rights may or may not be in place, even if worker protection exists, employer violations may go unreported, refugees and migrant workers are especially vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment, fearing consequences of job loss or deportation
Wages: varies, generally farmworkers earn meager wages, there are many cases of underpaid agricultural workers, wage theft and no overtime payment or benefits
Saffron…
- May involve worker exploitation, laborer issues, human rights concerns
Where does most saffron come from? 📍
Iran is the world’s top saffron exporting country, followed by Spain, Greece, Portugal, Afghanistan, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates, Germany, UK and USA.
saffron is gluten free.
Is saffron gluten free?
Yes, saffron is gluten free. Saffron does not contain gluten. Saffron is a type of flower, therefore making it a gluten free food.
Celiac and gluten sensitivity symptoms are similar and may include:
- recurring abdominal pain
- chronic diarrhea
- constipation
- tingling
- numbness in hands and feet
- chronic fatigue
- joint pain
- unexplained infertility
- low bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
There are hundreds of potential symptoms, many of which are also symptoms of other conditions.
Going gluten free easier than ever with this: Gluten and Gluten Free Foods List
saffron is not a common food allergen.
Is saffron a common food allergen? No, saffron is not a common food allergen. Some people may experience allergic reactions to saffron but it is relatively rare by comparison.
A group of the eight major allergenic foods, AKA the Big-8, include:
- milk
- eggs
- fish
- crustacean shellfish
- tree nuts
- peanuts
- wheat
- soybeans
Severe food allergies can be life threatening. Following ingestion of a food allergen, a person with food allergies can experience a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Persons may still be allergic to and have serious reactions to foods other than the eight foods identified by the law.
Be aware of common dietary restrictions and food allergens with this: The Big 8 Most Common Food Allergens List
saffron is sustainable.
Overall, is saffron eco friendly? Is saffron sustainable?
Saffron production is relatively sustainable since there is no known significant damage to air, water, land, soil, forests, etc. Be sure to buy Non-GMO/organic, as toxic, chemical pesticides contaminate air, water, soil, etc. when using regenerative practices.
A 2018 Oxford University study – which is the most comprehensive analysis to date of the damage farming does to the planet – found that ‘avoiding meat and dairy is the single biggest way to reduce your impact on Earth’ as animal farming provides just 18% of calories but takes up 83% of our farmland.
Consuming animal products and byproducts is not environmentally friendly and is one of the worst things for the Earth. Not only is meat production wasteful, it causes enormous amounts of pollution. The industry is one of the biggest causes of climate change.
saffron is vegan.
Is saffron vegan?
Yes, saffron is vegan. Saffron is a spice from the flower saffron crocus and not an animal product or byproduct, therefore making it a vegan food.
Animals of factory farming are suffering. They live in horrific conditions that often include confinement, physical abuse and unnatural environments…so much so that they need to receive antibiotics to keep from getting ill or spreading disease. Growth hormones allow all kinds of animals to become fatter faster and live short lives.
Because we cannot see for ourselves how these animals live and what they endure does not mean it isn’t happening. The meat, poultry and dairy industries do everything they can to distance us from knowing how our food comes to be in order to keep us in the dark about what we support each time we buy animal derived products and byproducts.
Go vegan for animals!
It’s the best way to help animals and it’s not as difficult as you may think. Speak for animals with your actions, for they cannot speak at all.
Going vegan is easier than ever, at a glance with this: Vegan and Non Vegan Foods List
saffron may or may not have labor issues.
Is saffron a product that has known labor issues?
At this time, there are no known specific reports of worker mistreatment regarding saffron farming but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening. Saffron may or may not have labor issues.
Did you know the single largest employer in the world is agriculture? The labor involved behind each and every product cannot go unrecognized.
Some known problems include workplace health and safety, child labor, gender inequality, inadequate pay, wage theft and exploitation. Workers can even experience harassment, humiliation and violence and unfair employers often fail to provide laborers with access to shade, drinking water, restrooms and breaks.
Workers are often afraid to report issues because they fear it will result in losing their jobs or deportation. Fair trade organizations fight to ensure better social, environmental and economic standards. So we can improve people’s lives with foods we eat every day simply by buying products that are certified fair trade.
Conclusion
Saffron pros include:
- numerous health benefits
- sustainable
- vegan
- possibly alkaline
- gluten free
- not a common food allergen
- low carbon footprint
Saffron cons include:
- possible high water footprint
- possible laborer exploitation (as with most foods)
- pesticide ingestion and contamination if not organic (as with most produce)
Sources:
Spices, saffron – FoodData Central – USDA
Saffron, an alternative crop for sustainable agricultural systems. A review
Quantification of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) – PubAg
