Benzyl Alcohol
The short version
A versatile flavor and color carrier solvent — naturally present in many fruit aromas.
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
EFSA's 2019 re-evaluation set an ADI of 4 mg/kg body weight per day and found no safety concern at reported uses. JECFA includes benzyl alcohol in a group ADI of 0–5 mg/kg body weight with benzoic acid and related compounds, expressed as benzoic acid. Oxidized in the body to benzoic acid then conjugated to hippuric acid and excreted. Dietary exposure from foods naturally containing benzyl alcohol typically exceeds the additive contribution.
Sources
- EFSA — Re-evaluation of benzyl alcohol (E 1519) as food additive (2019) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA Journal), 2019. safety: EFSA ADI 4 mg/kg bw per day
- WHO JECFA database — Benzyl alcohol (2001 evaluation; group ADI with benzoates) — World Health Organization / JECFA, 2001. safety: JECFA group ADI 0–5 mg/kg bw as benzoic acid
- EU — Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, consolidated version of 18 August 2026 (Annex III) — Publications Office of the European Union (EUR-Lex), 2026. regulation: EU use limited to flavourings
- US eCFR — 21 CFR 172.515 Synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants — U.S. Government Publishing Office / Office of the Federal Register (eCFR), 2026. regulation: permitted in the US as a flavoring substance
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.