methyl anthranilate
methyl anthranilate

Methyl anthranilate (grape)

Common names: Methyl 2-aminobenzoate, Methyl o-aminobenzoate, Artificial grape flavor, FEMA No. 2682, FL 09.467 (European flavoring substance designation).
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Safe
Published by Jordana Tobelem, RD, LDN — Last Updated on Apr 21, 2025
Medically reviewed by Dr. William Lin, MD
Methyl anthranilate is a naturally occurring ester commonly used in the food industry as a flavoring agent, especially for imparting a grape-like aroma in candies, beverages, chewing gum, and baked goods. It is valued for its low volatility and strong fruity scent, making it effective even at low concentrations. In addition to flavoring, it is also used in active food packaging films due to its antifungal and aromatic properties, helping to extend shelf life while enhancing sensory appeal.[1]
Despite its widespread use, some concerns have been raised regarding its phototoxicity when used in cosmetics or products exposed to UV light, leading to regulatory restrictions in certain applications.[2] However, in food applications, methyl anthranilate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used within approved limits. Its dual role as a flavoring and functional ingredient continues to support its popularity in food technology and packaging innovations.

Safety Overview

Regulatory Bodies

FDA (US)
Methyl anthranilate is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use as a flavoring agent in food products.[3]
Health Canada
While specific information on Health Canada’s assessment of methyl anthranilate as a food additive is limited, the substance is registered for commercial use in Canada as a bird repellent on crops like blueberries and cherries.[4]
EFSA (Europe)
EFSA evaluated anthranilate derivatives, including methyl anthranilate, and concluded that proposed use levels of 5 to 25 mg/kg in complete animal feed are safe for various species, with a margin of safety up to three.[5]
WHO (World Health Organization)
The WHO has conducted safety evaluations on certain food additives, including methyl anthranilate, but specific details are limited in the available summary. WHO has currently set the ADI for methyl anthranilate to 0-1.5 mg/kg bw.[6]

FDA GRAS

U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)
Current Status
Classified
Methyl anthranilate is classified as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use as a synthetic flavoring substance. This designation is based on its long-standing use in foods such as candy, beverages, and baked goods, along with toxicological evaluations that support its safety when consumed at levels typical of flavoring agents. Its inclusion in the GRAS list indicates that qualified experts consider it safe under the conditions of its intended use.[3]

EWG Rating

Environmental Working Group
  • EWG Rating: Methyl anthranilate has a moderate hazard rating in The Environmental Working Group (EWG) databases, indicating potential health concerns.[7]
  • Level of Caution: The substance is unacceptable in EWG VERIFIED® products, suggesting a higher level of caution regarding its use.[7]
  • Possible Health Risks: Concerns include evidence of cancer, developmental and reproductive toxicity, and vision damage, although data availability is limited.[7]
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More about Methyl anthranilate (grape)

  • Confectionery Products: Grape-flavored candy, chewing gum, hard lozenges
  • Beverages: Soft drinks, flavored water, fruit juice blends
  • Baked Goods and Desserts: Grape-flavored pastries, frostings, gelatins

Historical Use
Methyl anthranilate has been used since the early 20th century as a synthetic grape flavoring in food, beverages, and perfumes, owing to its potent fruity aroma and low volatility.[8]
Current Exposure
Today, consumers are exposed to methyl anthranilate primarily through flavored candies, soft drinks, chewing gum, and some fruit-based snacks, where it is added at low concentrations as a flavoring agent approved by regulatory bodies.[1]

Phototoxicity
Methyl anthranilate has been shown to cause phototoxic reactions when applied to the skin and exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, leading to skin irritation and erythema in both animal and human studies.[9]
Potential for Nitrosamine Formation
As a secondary amine, methyl anthranilate may undergo nitrosation under certain conditions, potentially forming nitrosamines, which are compounds of concern due to their carcinogenic potential.[1]
Low Acute and Short-Term Toxicity
Studies in rats have demonstrated that methyl anthranilate exhibits low acute and short-term toxicity, with no significant adverse effects observed at dietary concentrations up to 3,600 ppm.[10]
Antifungal Activity
Methyl anthranilate has shown strong antifungal properties against Botrytis cinerea, a common pathogen in fruits, suggesting its potential use in extending the shelf life of produce.[11]

Toxicological Studies
Methyl anthranilate has demonstrated low acute toxicity in animal models, with no significant effects observed in rats administered dietary concentrations up to 3,600 ppm over short-term exposure periods.[10]
Long-Term Safety
Long-term dietary exposure in animal studies showed no evidence of carcinogenicity or organ toxicity, and evaluations by safety panels have not identified reproductive or developmental risks at flavoring-level intakes.[5][6]

High-Risk Groups
Individuals with sensitivity to fragrance compounds or with photodermatoses may be at greater risk when exposed to methyl anthranilate, particularly in personal care products or through occupational exposure.[9]
Health Impacts
Phototoxicity studies have shown that methyl anthranilate can induce skin reactions such as erythema upon UV exposure, raising concerns for sensitive populations, particularly when used in leave-on products like sunscreens and body sprays.[12]

Recommended Intake
WHO has set the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for methyl anthranilate to 0-1.5 mg/kg bw. It is considered safe at current levels used in food flavorings, typically ranging from 1 to 10 ppm in beverages and confectionery.[6]

General Safety Level
Methyl anthranilate is considered safe for the general population when used within established flavoring concentrations in food, and it has not been widely associated with systemic allergic reactions in clinical settings.[3][5]
Sensitive Individuals
In rare cases, individuals with fragrance allergies or heightened photosensitivity may develop skin irritation or phototoxic responses upon dermal exposure, especially when applied to sun-exposed areas.[9]

FAQ

What is methyl anthranilate?

Methyl anthranilate is a synthetic or naturally occurring compound used to add grape-like flavor and fragrance to foods, beverages, and perfumes.

Where to buy methyl anthranilate?

Methyl anthranilate can be purchased from specialty chemical suppliers, fragrance ingredient distributors, or online retailers like Amazon and Sigma-Aldrich.

What is methyl anthranilate used for?

Methyl anthranilate is used in flavoring foods and drinks, creating fragrances, and as a bird repellent in agricultural applications.

References

  1. Aragon-Gutierrez A., et al. 2022. 'Pilot-Scale Processing and Functional Properties of Antifungal EVOH-Based Films with Methyl Anthranilate for Food Packaging Applications' Polymers 14(16) p. 3405. Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/14/16/3405 ↩︎
  2. SCCS Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety 2020 'Scientific advice on the SCCS Opinion on methyl-N-methylanthranilate - MNM SCCS/1455/11' SCCS/1616/20. Available at: https://health.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-11/sccs_o_242.pdf ↩︎
  3. U.S. Food and Drug Administration n.d. Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 - Synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants. Available at: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-E/part-582/subpart-A/section-582.60 ↩︎
  4. Health Canada 2018. Methyl Anthranilate and Its Associated End-Use Products. Available at: https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2018/sc-hc/h113-28/H113-28-2018-29-eng.pdf ↩︎
  5. EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed FEEDAP 2011 'Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of anthranilate derivatives chemical group 27 when used as flavourings for all animal species' EFSA Journal 9(12) p. 2441. Available at: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2441 ↩︎
  6. World Health Organization 2005. Methyl anthranilate. Available at: https://apps.who.int/food-additives-contaminants-jecfa-database/Home/Chemical/4442 ↩︎
  7. Environmental Working Group EWG n.d. 'Methyl Anthranilate' EWG's Skin Deep Database. Available at: https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/720637-METHYL_ANTHRANILATE/ ↩︎
  8. Nadia Berenstein 2015. From Neroli to NuGrape: Methyl Anthranilate. Available at: http://nadiaberenstein.com/blog/2015/3/27/from-neroli-to-nugrape-methyl-anthranilate ↩︎
  9. European Commission Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety SCCS 2011 'Opinion on Methyl-N-methylanthranilate Phototoxicity only' SCCS/1455/11. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/docs/sccs_o_075.pdf ↩︎
  10. Gaunt I.F., et al. 1970. 'Acute and short-term toxicity of methyl-N-methyl anthranilate in rats' Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 8(4) pp. 359-368. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0015626470803893 ↩︎
  11. Esteve-Redondo P., et al. 2024 'Efficacy of methyl anthranilate vapour against Botrytis cinerea in packaged strawberries' Food Packaging and Shelf Life 45 101349. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214289424001145 ↩︎
  12. Forbes P.D., et al. 1977 'Phototoxicity testing of fragrance raw materials' Food and Cosmetics Toxicology 15(1) pp. 55-56. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0015626477802642 ↩︎

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