benzophenone
benzophenone

Benzophenone

Common names: Diphenyl ketone, FL-no: 07.032 (European additive code for flavouring substances).
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KIDSADVISORY SAFETY RATING
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Risky
Published by Jordana Tobelem, RD, LDN — Last Updated on Apr 16, 2025
Medically reviewed by Dr. William Lin, MD
Benzophenone is an organic compound commonly used in the food industry as a flavoring agent and fragrance enhancer. It is also found in food packaging, where it is used in UV-cured inks and coatings to protect products from ultraviolet light degradation. However, concerns arise due to the potential for benzophenone to migrate from packaging materials into food products. In addition to its role in packaging, benzophenone is employed as an additive in plastics, coatings, and adhesives.[1]
Despite its functional benefits, benzophenone has raised health concerns due to its classification as a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Studies have indicated potential adverse effects on the liver and kidneys, as well as endocrine disruption. Consequently, its use in food products is subject to regulatory scrutiny, and some regions have implemented restrictions to mitigate potential risks[2]

Safety Overview

Regulatory Bodies

FDA (US)
In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibited the use of synthetic benzophenone as a flavoring agent in food products due to concerns over its potential carcinogenicity.[3]
Health Canada
Health Canada has assessed benzophenone and, due to its potential carcinogenicity, has proposed adding it to Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, effectively designating it as a toxic substance.[2]
EFSA (Europe)
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluated benzophenone and concluded that there is no safety concern under its current conditions of use as a flavoring substance.[4]
WHO (World Health Organization)
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), part of WHO, has classified benzophenone as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B), based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals.[1]

FDA GRAS

U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)
Current Status
Not Classified

EWG Rating

Environmental Working Group
  • EWG Rating: The Environmental Working Group (EWG) assigns benzophenone a moderate hazard score, indicating potential health concerns.[5]
  • Level of Caution: EWG advises caution when using products containing benzophenone due to its association with cancer and endocrine disruption.[5]
  • Possible Health Risks: Exposure to benzophenone may increase the risk of cancer and disrupt hormonal functions, as indicated by some studies.[5]
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More about Benzophenone

  • Baked Goods: Danish pastries, butter cookies, brioche bread.
  • Beverages: Citrus-flavored sodas, vanilla-flavored liqueurs, fruit punch drinks.
  • Confectionery: Caramel candies, spearmint chewing gum, white chocolate bars.

Historical Use
Benzophenone has been utilized since the late 19th century, primarily in the manufacturing of perfumes and soaps, where it serves to prevent ultraviolet (UV) light from damaging scents and colors. Its application as a photoinitiator in UV-curing processes for inks and coatings has also been well-established.[6]
Current Exposure
Today, consumers may encounter benzophenone through various products, including certain personal care items like lotions, soaps, body washes, and cosmetics such as nail polish. Additionally, benzophenone is used in some food packaging inks and may migrate into foods.[7] To reduce your exposure to benzophenone, look for food products labeled as free from artificial flavoring agents or check for packaging that does not use UV-cured inks. If you're concerned about personal care items, opt for products with natural UV filters instead of benzophenone-based compounds.

Carcinogenic Potential
Chronic oral exposure to benzophenone has been linked to cancer in animal studies, leading to its classification as possibly carcinogenic to humans.[8]
Endocrine Disruption
Research indicates that benzophenone and its derivatives exhibit endocrine-disrupting properties, potentially interfering with hormonal functions.[9]
Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity
Studies have shown that maternal exposure to benzophenone derivatives during pregnancy may adversely affect birth outcomes, suggesting potential risks to fetal development.[10]
Allergic Reactions
Some individuals may experience allergic contact dermatitis upon exposure to benzophenone, particularly in products applied to the skin.[7]

Toxicological Studies
Research indicates that benzophenone exposure can lead to liver toxicity, as evidenced by increased liver weights and hepatocellular hypertrophy in animal studies. Additionally, chronic exposure has been associated with carcinogenic effects in rodents.[11]
Long-Term Safety
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated benzophenone and concluded that there is no safety concern under its current conditions of use as a flavoring substance. However, due to its potential endocrine-disrupting properties, recent regulatory efforts aim to limit human exposure.[4][9]

High-Risk Groups
Pregnant women are considered a high-risk group for benzophenone exposure, as studies have shown that maternal exposure to benzophenone derivatives can adversely affect fetal growth.[10]
Health Impacts
Research indicates that benzophenone and its derivatives exhibit endocrine-disrupting properties, potentially interfering with hormonal functions, which may pose health risks to vulnerable populations.[9]

Recommended Intake
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has established a tolerable daily intake (TDI) for benzophenone at 0.03 mg per kilogram of body weight per day. Under current conditions of use as a flavoring substance, EFSA concluded that there is no safety concern for benzophenone.[4]

General Safety Level
Benzophenones, commonly used as ultraviolet (UV) filters in sunscreens and personal care products, have been associated with adverse skin reactions, including allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and photoallergic contact dermatitis (PACD). Among these compounds, benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone) is the most frequently reported allergen.[12]
Sensitive Individuals
In susceptible individuals, exposure to benzophenone-3 can lead to ACD and PACD, presenting as erythema, edema, and pruritus in sun-exposed areas. Patch testing has identified benzophenone-3 as a significant allergen in cases of suspected sunscreen-related dermatitis.[13]

FAQ

Is benzophenone polar?

Benzophenone has both polar and nonpolar characteristics due to its ketone group and aromatic rings.

Is benzophenone soluble in water?

Benzophenone is only slightly soluble in water due to its mostly nonpolar structure.

Is benzophenone soluble in hexane?

Yes, benzophenone is soluble in hexane because both are nonpolar solvents.

References

  1. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) 2013 Benzophenone IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans 101 pp. 285-310 Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK373188/ ↩︎
  2. Health Canada 2021 Benzophenone information sheet Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/chemical-substances/fact-sheets/chemicals-glance/benzophenone.html ↩︎
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2018 FDA Removes 7 Synthetic Flavoring Substances from Food Additives List Available at: https://www.fda.gov/food/hfp-constituent-updates/fda-removes-7-synthetic-flavoring-substances-food-additives-list ↩︎
  4. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2017 Safety of benzophenone to be used as flavouring EFSA Journal 15(11):5013 Available at: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/5013 ↩︎
  5. Environmental Working Group n.d. Benzophenone Available at: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/700684-BENZOPHENONE/ ↩︎
  6. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) 2013 Benzophenone Report on Carcinogens Fourteenth Edition National Toxicology Program Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK373188/ ↩︎
  7. California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment n.d. Benzophenone Fact Sheet Available at: https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/fact-sheets/benzophenone ↩︎
  8. Environment and Climate Change Canada Health Canada 2019 Screening Assessment Benzophenone Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/evaluating-existing-substances/screening-assessment-benzophenone.html ↩︎
  9. Mustieles V. et al. 2023 Benzophenone-3 Comprehensive review of the toxicological and human evidence with meta-analysis of human biomonitoring studies Environment International 170:107543 Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36805158/ ↩︎
  10. Teiri H. et al. 2023 Maternal exposure to benzophenone derivatives and their impacts on offsprings birth outcomes in a Middle Eastern population Scientific Reports 13:9484(2023) Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-35380-5 ↩︎
  11. National Toxicology Program 2000 Toxicity Studies of Benzophenone (CASRN 119-61-9) Administered in Feed to F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice Available at: https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/sites/default/files/ntp/htdocs/st_rpts/tox061.pdf ↩︎
  12. Ekstein S.F. and Hylwa S.A. 2023 Sunscreens A Review of UV Filters and Their Allergic Potential Dermatitis 34(3):176-190 Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36279254/ ↩︎
  13. Heurung A.R. Raju S.I. and Warshaw E.M. 2014 Benzophenones Dermatitis 25(1):3-10 Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24407064/ ↩︎

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