Zea Mays (Corn) Germ Extract
Safety Information
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers corn flour and corn meal to be foods and has specific specifications for these corn products. Corn gluten and corn silk extract are included on FDA’s list of substances considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for direct addition to food. Corn oil is permitted for use as an indirect food additive for use as a component of coatings for food contact surfaces and as a component of paper and paper board that comes into contact with food. The FDA permits Zea Mays (corn) starch to be used in over-the-counter (OTC) skin protectant drug products. When used in these drug products this ingredient must be listed on the label as topical starch.
Link to the FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Corn Gluten, Corn Silk Extract, Corn Flour and Meal, Corn Oil and Corn Starch
- Corn Gluten
- Corn Silk and Corn Silk Extract
- White Corn Flour
- Yellow Corn Meal
- Resinous and Polymeric Coatings
- Defoaming Agents
- Skin Protectant Active Ingredients
Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety
The Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety evaluated short-term and long-term safety studies on corn-derived ingredients and identified no safety issues or concern for the use of these ingredients in cosmetics.
The Expert Panel noted that Zea Mays (corn) oil is commonly used as a vehicle and as a control in toxicity studies. When used as a control, the doses of Zea Mays (corn) oil have not resulted in adverse effects. As with other fats and oils, large oral doses of Zea Mays (corn) oil may contribute to obesity, heart effects and cancer. The Expert Panel did not consider dietary studies of high doses of Zea Mays (corn) oil relevant to the lower exposure to Zea Mays (corn) oil from cosmetics and personal care products. Zea Mays (corn) kernel extract was not an eye irritant. In clinical tests, Zea Mays (corn) kernel extract, Zea Mays (corn) starch, Zea Mays (corn) gluten protein and Zea Mays (corn) silk extract were not dermal irritants or sensitizers. Because of the common use of corn as food, knowledge of the composition of the various corn-derived ingredients, and dermal testing of representative ingredients, the Expert Panel concluded that Zea Mays (corn) oil, Zea Mays (corn) starch, Zea Mays (corn) cob meal, Zea Mays (corn) cob powder, Zea Mays (corn) fruit, Zea Mays (corn) germ extract, Zea Mays (corn) germ oil, Zea Mays (corn) oil unsaponifiables, Zea Mays (corn) gluten protein, Zea Mays (corn) kernel extract, Zea Mays (corn) kernel meal, Zea Mays (corn) seed flour, Zea Mays (corn) silk extract, hydrolyzed corn starch, hydrolyzed corn protein, corn acid, corn glycerides and potassium cornate were safe for use as cosmetic ingredients.
The corn-derived ingredients may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.