cinnamyl anthranilate
cinnamyl anthranilate

Cinnamyl Anthranilate

Common names: Cinnamyl o-aminobenzoate, NCI-C03510.
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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
Cinnamyl anthranilate is an ester formed from cinnamyl alcohol and anthranilic acid, previously utilized in the food industry as a synthetic flavoring agent to impart grape-like or cherry-like flavors. Its applications extended to various products, including beverages, candies, and baked goods. However, due to health concerns, its use in food products has been discontinued.[1]
Studies have indicated that cinnamyl anthranilate can induce liver tumors in mice, leading to its classification as a potential carcinogen. Consequently, regulatory agencies have banned its use as a food additive since 1985. Currently, cinnamyl anthranilate is not permitted in food products, reflecting a commitment to consumer safety.[2]

Safety Overview

Regulatory Bodies

FDA (US)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibited the use of cinnamyl anthranilate as a food additive in 1985 due to studies indicating its potential to cause liver tumors in mice.[3]
Health Canada
Health Canada’s Food and Drug Regulations list cinnamyl anthranilate among substances not permitted in food, reflecting similar safety concerns as other regulatory bodies.[4]
EFSA (Europe)
The European Food Safety Authority has not approved cinnamyl anthranilate for use as a food additive, aligning with international concerns regarding its safety profile.[5]
WHO (World Health Organization)
The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives recommended against the use of cinnamyl anthranilate in food following evaluations that raised health concerns.[6] Since 1985, cinnamyl anthranilate has been banned by regulatory bodies, including the U.S. FDA, EFSA, and WHO, due to concerns over its potential carcinogenic effects. It is no longer permitted in food products globally. However, it may still be found in some non-food applications, like cosmetics and fragrances.

FDA GRAS

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

EWG Rating

Environmental Working Group
EWG Rating: None
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More about Cinnamyl Anthranilate

  • Beverages: Flavored soft drinks, fruit punches, and certain alcoholic beverages.
  • Confectionery: Hard candies, chewing gums, and fruit-flavored jellies.
  • Baked Goods: Fruit-filled pastries, flavored muffins, and specialty breads.

Historical Use
Cinnamyl anthranilate was utilized for nearly 50 years as a synthetic flavoring and fragrance agent, imparting grape or cherry flavors to non-alcoholic beverages, ice cream, sweets, baked goods, gelatins, puddings, and chewing gum. It was also employed as a fragrance ingredient in various cosmetic products, including soaps, detergents, creams, and lotions.[2] However, it was banned as a food additive in 1985 after studies demonstrated that chronic exposure led to liver tumors in mice, raising concerns about its carcinogenic potential in humans.[7]
Current Exposure
Since its prohibition as a food additive, cinnamyl anthranilate is no longer present in food products, significantly reducing consumer exposure. However, its use in non-food applications, such as fragrances and cosmetics, has been less restricted, although safety concerns continue to be evaluated.[2]

Carcinogenicity
Chronic dietary exposure to cinnamyl anthranilate has been shown to induce liver tumors in mice, suggesting a potential carcinogenic risk.[2] While the effects were species-specific (only seen in mice), these findings led to its removal from food products. The compound may also have genotoxic properties, meaning it could cause changes in genetic material
Species-Specific Toxicity
While cinnamyl anthranilate caused liver tumors in mice, no similar effects were seen in rats or humans, suggesting that its toxicity may be specific to certain species. Despite this, the potential for harm in humans led to its ban in food products. The compound causes peroxisome proliferation and hepatocellular proliferation in mice, effects not observed in rats or humans, indicating species-specific responses.[2]
Genotoxicity
Cinnamyl anthranilate was active in the mouse lymphoma mutation assay, indicating potential genotoxic effects.[2]
Metabolic Considerations
In mice, but not in rats or humans, the hydrolysis of cinnamyl anthranilate is saturated at high doses, leading to excretion of unchanged compound, which may contribute to its toxic effects in mice.[2]

Toxicological Studies
In a two-year study, B6C3F1 mice were fed diets containing 0, 15,000, or 30,000 ppm cinnamyl anthranilate, resulting in a dose-related increase in hepatocellular carcinomas, with incidences of 1/50 in controls, 8/49 at 15,000 ppm, and 14/49 at 30,000 ppm. In contrast, a similar study in Fischer 344 rats did not show a significant increase in tumor incidence, suggesting species-specific differences in response.[2]
Long-Term Safety
Due to the observed carcinogenic effects in mice, cinnamyl anthranilate was banned as a food additive in 1985, and subsequent evaluations have classified it as not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3), indicating that current evidence is insufficient to assess its potential human cancer risk.[8]

High-Risk Groups
Individuals with pre-existing liver conditions may be more susceptible to potential hepatic effects of cinnamyl anthranilate, as animal studies have indicated liver tumor formation following exposure.[2]
Health Impacts
While direct human data are lacking, the observed hepatocarcinogenic effects in mice suggest that vulnerable populations, such as those with compromised liver function, could be at increased risk if exposed to cinnamyl anthranilate.[2]

Recommended Intake
Regulatory bodies have not established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for cinnamyl anthranilate due to safety concerns; the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibited its use as a food additive in 1985, and the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization have recommended that it not be used in food.[2]

General Safety Level
Cinnamyl anthranilate has been prohibited as a food additive since 1985 due to its carcinogenic potential observed in animal studies.[2]
Sensitive Individuals
While specific data on allergic reactions to cinnamyl anthranilate are limited, individuals with fragrance sensitivities may exhibit contact dermatitis upon exposure to certain fragrance compounds.[9]

FAQ

Why is cinnamyl anthranilate banned?

Cinnamyl anthranilate is banned in food products because animal studies suggested a potential link to cancer, leading to regulatory restrictions.

What is cinnamyl anthranilate?

Cinnamyl anthranilate is a synthetic flavoring compound formerly used in food and fragrances for its fruity aroma but is now banned in food products.

References

  1. Cornell Law School 21 CFR u00a7 189.113 Cinnamyl anthranilate Available at: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/189.113 ↩︎
  2. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans 1999 Cinnamyl anthranilate Some Industrial Chemicals IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans No. 77 Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK390928/ ↩︎
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration 2024 CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Cinnamyl anthranilate Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=189.113 ↩︎
  4. Health Canada 2024 List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating Substances in Foods Available at: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/food-safety/chemical-contaminants/contaminants-adulterating-substances-foods.html ↩︎
  5. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2012 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 872/2012 Available at: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ%3AL%3A2012%3A267%3A0001%3A0161%3AEN%3APDF& ↩︎
  6. Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives 1981 Evaluation of Certain Food Additives and Contaminants WHO Food Additives Series No. 16 Available at: https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43407/9241660562_eng.pdf ↩︎
  7. U.S. Government Accountability Office 2010 Food Safety FDA Should Strengthen Oversight of Substances Used as Food Additives Available at: https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-10-246.pdf ↩︎
  8. International Agency for Research on Cancer 2000 Cinnamyl anthranilate IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risks to Humans Vol. 77 Available at: https://www.inchem.org/documents/iarc/vol77/77-03.html ↩︎
  9. de Groot A. C. 2020 Fragrances Contact Allergy and Other Adverse Effects Dermatitis 31(1):13-35 Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31433384/ ↩︎

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