About
Menthol is a naturally occurring cyclic terpene alcohol derived primarily from peppermint oil (Mentha piperita) or produced synthetically, responsible for the characteristic cool, minty sensation in food and beverages. It is used as a flavouring agent in confectionery, chewing gum, beverages, dairy products, and baked goods to impart a cooling and refreshing minty taste.
Safety summary
JECFA has established an ADI of 0–4 mg/kg body weight per day for menthol and concluded there is no safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. Menthol has no known genotoxic potential based on structural and experimental evaluations. High doses may cause gastrointestinal irritation, and caution is warranted in infants and young children due to the risk of respiratory distress if applied topically near the face, though dietary exposure from food use is well below thresholds of concern for the general adult population.
Regulatory landscape
| Jurisdiction | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union) | Approved | Authorised as a flavouring substance under Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008, entry 02.015, CAS 89-78-1; evaluated by JECFA; no individual E-number assigned as flavourings use FL-numbers rather than E-numbers in the EU.source |
| MHLW (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) (Japan) | Approved | Menthol-related flavouring substances evaluated by JFFMA using the JECFA procedure; structurally related substances classified as Cramer Class I with daily intakes well below the 1800 µg/person/day threshold of concern; approved for use as a flavouring agent.source |
| FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States) | Approved | Listed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) as a flavouring agent under 21 CFR 182.20 (natural flavouring substances); FEMA GRAS No. 2665; technical effect: flavouring agent.source |
Who should approach with care
Research citations
- 1WHO. WHO/FAO JECFA: Menthol — Chemical and Technical Assessment (JECFA 86, TRS 1014). apps.who.int
- 2FDA. FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) — Menthol. hfpappexternal.fda.gov
- 3PubMed. The JFFMA assessment of flavoring substances structurally related to menthol and uniquely used in Japan, 2014. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 4EFSA. Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 9, Revision 4 (FGE.09Rev4): Secondary alicyclic saturated and unsaturated alcohols, ketones and esters, 2012. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5other. Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties (consolidated 2023), 2008. eur-lex.europa.eu
