At a glance
- One ingredient, listed by Frontier as "Turmeric": the ground rhizome (underground stem) of Curcuma longa, 1.92 oz (54 g) in a glass jar.
- $5.19 on Amazon on Sep 30, 2026, shipped and sold by Amazon.com, about $2.70 per ounce.
- This jar is not certified organic: it carries Non-GMO Project Verified and kosher marks plus "non-ETO" and "non-irradiated" processing claims. It is a cooking spice, not a curcumin supplement.
What the label shows
We read the jar from the Amazon listing's photos (front, both sides and back) and from Frontier Co-op's product page on September 30, 2026. One listing photo shows an older green-cap label; the current photos show the black-cap jar described below.
| Label item | What it says | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | "Turmeric root" (Amazon listing) | A single spice, no anti-caking agent or color added. |
| Net weight | 1.92 oz (54 g) | A standard spice-rack jar. |
| Botanical name | Not printed on the jar; Curcuma longa is the standard name NCCIH gives for turmeric | Common turmeric. "Root" on the jar is the everyday word; botanically it is a rhizome. |
| Non-GMO Project Verified | Butterfly seal on the front edge | A third-party verification about genetic engineering only. It is not an organic certification. |
| Kosher | KSA symbol | A kosher certification mark, printed on the jar; the Amazon title also says "Kosher." |
| "Non-ETO," "Non-irradiated" | Printed claims on the front | Processing claims, not certifications. The back panel explains that ETO (ethylene oxide) is a sterilizing chemical used in the spice industry and says Frontier never uses it. |
| USDA Organic | Not shown | No organic seal on the jar or in the listing title. One Amazon bullet mentions sourcing "from organic farms" and the listing's details field says "Organic," but we do not credit an organic claim the label does not carry. |
| Curcumin content | Not stated | The jar gives no curcumin percentage, which is normal for a kitchen spice. |
The Amazon listing's "Important information" box carries a caution telling people who are pregnant or lactating, or who have a history of liver, gall bladder or gastrointestinal problems, to consult a health practitioner, along with the generic FDA disclaimer text. The jar photos themselves show no health claim. The label says the jar is distributed by Frontier Co-op of Norway, Iowa; neither the jar nor Frontier's page states a growing region.
The plant behind it
Turmeric is a plant in the ginger family. NCCIH describes it as grown commercially in Southeast Asia and India, with its rhizome (an underground stem) used for culinary and cosmetic purposes; curcumin, a major component, gives the spice its yellow color [1]. The plump orange "fingers" sold fresh in some grocery stores are the same rhizome before it is dried and milled.
Frontier's product page describes this powder as golden-yellow with a pungent, earthy aroma and a flavor that "resembles both ginger and pepper," and lists its uses in curry powders, East Indian cooking, prepared mustards, pickles, dressings, eggs and rice dishes [2]. In practice a little goes a long way: turmeric tints everything it touches, including wooden spoons and countertops.
What the research says
Most turmeric research is not about the spice in this jar. It studies curcumin, usually in capsules delivering far more curcumin than a teaspoon of turmeric in a curry. NCCIH's summary is that we don't know enough to definitively conclude whether turmeric or curcumin is beneficial for any health purpose, and that oral curcumin products vary in how much curcumin they actually contain [1]. We make no health suggestion for this jar.
One well-known strand of research concerns absorption. Curcumin on its own is poorly absorbed. In a small 1998 study by Shoba and colleagues, healthy volunteers who took 2 g of curcumin alone had very low or undetectable blood levels, while adding 20 mg of piperine (a compound from black pepper) raised the measured bioavailability sharply, reported as a 2,000% increase [3]. Those were isolated compounds at supplement doses, not a dish seasoned with turmeric and pepper, and the result says nothing by itself about health effects. NCCIH notes that combining curcumin with piperine is one way products increase bioavailability, and also warns that highly bioavailable formulations may harm the liver [1]. Our note on turmeric and curcumin absorption explains the difference between the spice and the extract in more detail.
According to NCCIH, conventionally formulated oral turmeric or curcumin is likely safe in recommended amounts for up to 2 or 3 months, though it can cause stomach upset and other digestive side effects. NCCIH reports that liver damage has occurred in some people taking curcumin products formulated for increased bioavailability, and says anyone who notices symptoms such as fatigue, dark urine or yellowing of the skin should stop turmeric or curcumin products and contact a health care provider. NCCIH also says turmeric supplements during pregnancy may be unsafe, little is known about amounts above food levels while breastfeeding, and anyone taking medicine should talk with a provider first because some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways. These cautions are written mainly about supplements; ask a clinician or pharmacist before using turmeric beyond cooking amounts.
Using it in an ordinary kitchen
This is a handling sequence for a jar of ground spice, not a promise of any result.
Open over a dry surface
Remove the cap and inner seal over a plate or the sink. Turmeric powder stains fabric, grout and plastic quickly.
Store it dark and dry
Keep the cap tight and the jar away from the stove and windows. Light and heat dull both the color and the earthy aroma.
Bloom it in fat
Many recipes start turmeric in warm oil or butter with onions for a minute before liquids go in. Use a dry spoon so the jar does not clump.
Clean up promptly
Wipe spills straight away with warm soapy water; a yellow tint on a cutting board usually fades with washing and daylight.
Replace when it fades
If the powder has turned dull brownish and smells of little, the flavor has gone and it is time for a fresh jar.
Price and where it is sold
On September 30, 2026 the Amazon listing showed $5.19 for the 1.92 oz jar, in stock, shipped and sold by Amazon.com, about $2.70 per ounce. The Amazon return line read "Non-returnable due to Food safety reasons," with a refund or replacement available if the item arrives damaged or defective. See the Amazon listing for the current price.
Who should look elsewhere
- Shoppers who want certified organic turmeric should choose a jar that carries the USDA Organic seal; this one does not.
- People looking for a standardized curcumin amount will not find it on a spice jar. Before starting any curcumin supplement, talk with a clinician or pharmacist, especially if pregnant or taking medication, as NCCIH advises.
- Anyone with a liver or gallbladder condition should ask a clinician before using turmeric beyond ordinary cooking, in line with NCCIH's safety notes and the caution on the Amazon listing.
Sources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH, NIH). Turmeric: background, research summary and safety. Accessed Sep 30, 2026. link
- Frontier Co-op. Product page, Turmeric Root, Ground 1.92 oz: description, flavor and uses (also printed on the jar's side panel). Accessed Sep 30, 2026. link
- Shoba G, Joy D, Joseph T, Majeed M, Rajendran R, Srinivas PS. Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Med. 1998;64(4):353-6. PMID 9619120. link
- Amazon.com. Listing B00016XLEA: title, bullets, safety information, price, seller, return line and label photos (linked in the price section above). Accessed Sep 30, 2026.
This entry is educational and is not medical advice. Culinary amounts of common herbs and spices are different from concentrated supplements. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before using any herbal product regularly, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have an existing condition, or take medication.