U.S. Food and Drug Administration

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes geraniol on its lists of flavoring substance considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). The safety of geraniol 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 geraniol in fragrances because of potential sensitization.

Link to FDA Code of Federal Regulations for Geraniol: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr…

Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety

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.

The Flavor and ExtractThe mixture of substances drawn out of a material by solution, heat, or another physical or chemical process. Manufacturers Association Expert Panel has reviewed the safety of geraniol and determined that it is Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use as a flavoring substance.

In Europe, geraniol 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 geranoil 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.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) concluded that geraniol does not present a safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavoring agent.