Cinnamal
Safety Information
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes cinnamal on its list of substances considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use as a synthetic flavoring substance. The safety of cinnamal has been evaluated by the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials Expert Panel (REXPAN). Based on this evaluation, an International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Standard has been established. The IFRA Standard restricts the use of cinnamal in fragrances because it of potential sensitization.
Link to the IFRA Standards: http://www.ifraorg.org/en-us/standards_1
The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety defers review of individual fragrance ingredients to the IFRA program unless the ingredient has significant uses other than as a fragrance. In this case, the ingredient may be assessed by both the Expert Panel and REXPAN.
Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for cinnamal: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…
The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association Expert Panel has reviewed the safety of cinnamal and determined that it was Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use a flavoring substance. In Europe, cinnamal is included on the list of “allergenic” substances. The European Cosmetics Regulation requires manufacturers of cosmetics and personal care products to indicate the presence of certain “allergenic” substances in the list of ingredients if they are present above certain levels in the product (see Annex III). The presence of cinnamal must be indicated in the list of ingredients when its concentration exceeds: 0.001% in leave-on the skin products 0.01% in products that are rinsed off the skin.
Link to the EU Cosmetic Regulation: http://europa.eu/legislation_summaries/consumers/product_labelling_and_packaging/co0013_en.htm
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) concluded that cinnamal does not present a safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavoring agent.
Link to the JECFA safety evaluation of cinnamal: http://www.inchem.org/documents/jecfa/jeceval/jec_418.htm
More information about the safety of fragrances.
