Methyl eugenol in food: ingestion safety

What is methyl eugenol?

The IUPAC name is 1,2-dimethoxy-4-prop-2-enylbenzene.

Also known as: 1,2-dimethoxy-4-prop-2-enylbenzene, METHYLEUGENOL, 4-Allyl-1,2-dimethoxybenzene, Eugenol methyl ether.

IUPAC name

1,2-dimethoxy-4-prop-2-enylbenzene

CAS number

93-15-2

Molecular formula

C11H14O2

Molecular weight

178.23 g/mol

SMILES

COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)CC=C)OC

PubChem CID

7127

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Methyl eugenol.

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where you encounter methyl eugenol

• Personal Care — perfume, cosmetics
• Food — basil, bay leaf, allspice, nutmeg (natural trace levels)
• Fragrance — perfume, cologne, scented personal care products, household fragrance products, candles
  Identified in Fragrance Ingredient Safety Priority Research database (2,325 ingredients)

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Methyl eugenol:

• Eugenol (lower concern)
  Trade-offs: Alternative fragrance ingredient; individual safety profile should be assessed per IFRA standards; sensitization potential varies by compound; patch testing recommended for sensitive individuals.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Isoeugenol (with limits)
  Trade-offs: Alternative fragrance ingredient; individual safety profile should be assessed per IFRA standards; sensitization potential varies by compound; patch testing recommended for sensitive individuals.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions