Peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.)

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita L.) is a hybrid mint plant whose leaves, extracts, and essential oil are widely used as a natural flavouring in foods, beverages, confectionery, and chewing gum. Its characteristic cool, refreshing taste and aroma are primarily attributed to menthol, the principal bioactive constituent of peppermint oil.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Peppermint is generally recognised as safe (GRAS) at typical food-use levels and has a well-established history of safe consumption worldwide. At high or concentrated doses, peppermint oil can relax the lower oesophageal sphincter, potentially exacerbating gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Menthol, its key component, poses a specific risk of reflex apnoea and respiratory distress in infants and young children, and may trigger haemolytic episodes in individuals with G6PD deficiency.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) (European Union)	Approved	Peppermint and peppermint oil preparations are authorised flavourings under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 (Union list of permitted flavourings, Annex I). Safety assessments are conducted by the EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF) per Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008.source
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	FSSAI issued a draft amendment notification on 07-10-2024 under the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2024, establishing specific product standards for dried peppermint. Peppermint is also recognised as a permitted natural flavouring under the FSS (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita L.) is listed as GRAS under 21 CFR 182.20 as a natural flavouring substance. FEMA GRAS No. 2848. Used in food at Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) levels.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Infants — Menthol derived from peppermint applied near or on the face of infants can cause reflex apnoea and severe respiratory distress; peppermint-containing products are contraindicated in infants.

Children — Concentrated peppermint oil products should be avoided in young children due to menthol toxicity risk, including potential respiratory effects; culinary amounts in food are generally considered safe.

G6pd Deficiency — Menthol, the principal bioactive constituent of peppermint, can induce oxidative haemolysis in individuals with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, particularly at concentrated supplemental doses.

Ibs — While enteric-coated peppermint oil is a recognised therapeutic option for IBS, uncoated or high-dose peppermint oil can relax the lower oesophageal sphincter and worsen GERD symptoms; medical guidance is advised before use in IBS patients.

Liver Disease — Concentrated peppermint oil at doses well above culinary levels has been associated with hepatotoxicity in preclinical studies; patients with liver disease should avoid high-dose peppermint oil supplements.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1FDA. Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Part 182.20 – Essential Oils, Oleoresins, and Natural Extractives. accessdata.fda.gov
2FDA. Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) – peppermint, oil (Mentha piperita L.). hfpappexternal.fda.gov
3WHO. JECFA Monographs on Flavouring Agents – Menthol and Peppermint Oil (WHO Food Additives Series). who.int
4FSSAI. Draft Notification – Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Amendment Regulations, 2024 – Dried Peppermint, 2024. fssai.gov.in
5EFSA. EU List of Flavourings – Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties, 2008. food.ec.europa.eu

Independently researched5 citations