About
What it is and where it shows up.
Almond extract is a concentrated food flavouring derived from bitter or sweet almonds, or produced synthetically, whose characteristic taste and aroma comes primarily from benzaldehyde. It is widely used in baked goods, confectionery, beverages, and dairy products to impart a nutty, marzipan-like flavour.
Safety summary
The regulatory and scientific consensus.
Almond extract is considered safe at typical culinary use levels; JECFA has confirmed 'no safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent.' A group ADI of 0–5 mg/kg bw (expressed as benzoic acid equivalents) applies to benzaldehyde and related benzoate compounds. The primary concern for the general population is the tree nut (almond) allergen content in natural preparations, which must be declared on labels.
Regulatory landscape
What food-safety regulators have decided.
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| FSANZ (Food Standards Australia New Zealand) (Australia) | Approved | Natural and artificial almond flavourings are permitted under FSANZ Food Standards Code Standard 1.3.1. Benzaldehyde is an approved flavouring substance. Almond (tree nut) allergen declaration is mandatory under Standard 1.2.3.source |
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Almond flavouring preparations are permitted under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 on flavourings. Benzaldehyde (FL-no 05.013) is on the EU Union List of authorised flavouring substances. JECFA group ADI of 0–5 mg/kg bw (as benzoic acid equivalents) applies. Hydrocyanic acid (HCN) content in bitter almond preparations is subject to separate limits under EC guidance.source |
| FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India) | Approved | Almond extract and benzaldehyde are permitted flavouring substances under FSSAI regulations. Use is subject to GMP and the substance must be listed in the FSSAI Compendium of Flavouring Substances. Allergen declaration required for tree nut-derived preparations.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Benzaldehyde (CAS 100-51-6), the principal flavourant in almond extract, is listed as FEMA GRAS (No. 2127) for use as a flavouring agent under 21 CFR 172.515. Natural almond extract is also recognised as GRAS. Manufacturers must comply with Good Manufacturing Practice quantity limits. |
Who should approach with care
Whose guidance would steer them away.
Nut Allergy — Natural almond extract is derived from almonds (a tree nut), a major allergen; individuals with tree nut or almond allergy risk severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis and must avoid products containing almond-derived extracts.
Infants — Bitter almond preparations may contain trace hydrogen cyanide (HCN) from amygdalin hydrolysis; infants have limited detoxification capacity and should not be given bitter almond extract or products where HCN content is not certified absent.
Pregnancy — Bitter almond oil contains amygdalin which can release HCN; pregnant women are advised to avoid bitter almond oil or high-dose almond extract supplements, though typical culinary use of food-grade sweet almond extract is generally considered safe.
Liver Disease — Benzaldehyde is metabolised in the liver to benzoic acid and then hippuric acid; individuals with impaired hepatic function may have reduced capacity to metabolise benzoate-related compounds efficiently and should seek medical advice before regular consumption.
Research citations
The sources behind this verdict.
- 1PubMed. NTP Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Benzaldehyde (CAS No. 100-52-7) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies). pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2FDA. Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS): Benzaldehyde. hfpappexternal.fda.gov
- 3PubMed. Extraction, Chemical Composition, and Antifungal Activity of Essential Oil of Bitter Almond, 2016. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4PubMed. Almond allergens: molecular characterization, detection, and clinical relevance, 2012. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5WHO. JECFA Food Additive Entry: Benzaldehyde (CAS 100-51-6), JECFA No. 25, 2001. apps.who.int
Independently researched5 citations