Natural Peppermint Flavour

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Natural peppermint flavour is derived from the essential oil or extract of the peppermint plant (Mentha × piperita L.), whose primary bioactive constituent is l-menthol. It is widely used in foods, beverages, confectionery, chewing gum, oral-care products, and pharmaceuticals for its characteristic cool, minty taste and aroma.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

At typical food-use levels, natural peppermint flavour is considered safe for the general adult population, recognised as GRAS by the FDA and permitted in the EU under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008, with no formal ADI established at normal use levels. The primary constituent, menthol, may relax the lower oesophageal sphincter and exacerbate gastroesophageal reflux symptoms in susceptible adults. Very high doses of peppermint oil have been associated with nausea, vomiting, and CNS toxicity; infants and young children are especially sensitive to menthol and require particular caution.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Authorised as a natural flavouring preparation under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 on flavourings used in or on foods. Included in the Union list of flavourings; chemically-defined components such as menthol are further assessed by EFSA through Flavouring Group Evaluations (FGEs). No E-number is assigned to the natural preparation.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Natural flavours including natural peppermint flavour are permitted under Regulation 3.3.1 of the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, which came into force on 5 August 2011.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Listed in FDA Substances Added to Food inventory (formerly EAFUS); holds FEMA GRAS No. 2848 for use as a natural flavouring in food at Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) levels. Natural flavours are broadly recognised as safe under 21 CFR Part 182.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Infants — Menthol, the primary constituent of peppermint oil, can trigger apnoea, respiratory distress, and a choking reflex in infants; direct application to the face or high-dose ingestion is contraindicated in this group.

Children — Young children are more sensitive to menthol than adults; high-dose or concentrated peppermint oil preparations are not recommended for children under 2 years of age, though trace food-flavouring amounts are generally considered lower risk.

Pregnancy — High doses of peppermint oil have historically been associated with potential uterotonic effects; while food-grade amounts are generally tolerated, medicinal or concentrated doses should be avoided during pregnancy.

Ibs — Uncoated peppermint flavouring can relax the lower oesophageal sphincter and may worsen reflux or gastrointestinal discomfort in some IBS patients, even though enteric-coated peppermint oil is used therapeutically in this condition.

Ibd — Large amounts of peppermint oil may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease; intake should be discussed with a physician.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) — Peppermint, oil (Mentha piperita L.). hfpappexternal.fda.gov
2EFSA. Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the aerial parts of Mentha × piperita L. (peppermint oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl), 2023. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3FSSAI. Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, 2011. fssai.gov.in
4other. Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods, 2008. eur-lex.europa.eu
5PubMed. Final report on the safety assessment of Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Extract, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf, and Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Leaf Water, 2001. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Independently researched5 citations