Octyl Gallate
The short version
The C8-ester of gallic acid — a lipid-soluble antioxidant for fats and edible oils.
A synthetic antioxidant for fats and oils. Neither JECFA nor EFSA has an ADI for it: in 2015 EFSA could not confirm its safety for lack of toxicity data, and the EU removed it from its list of food additives in 2018 when that data was not provided. That's why we flag it.
Safety profile
No ADI is in place: JECFA allocated no ADI in 1996, and EFSA (2015) could not confirm its safety for lack of adequate toxicity data and concluded that the old group ADI for gallates should no longer be valid; like other gallates, occasional reports of contact sensitivity from cosmetic use, but rare in food applications.
Sources
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1481 removing octyl gallate (E 311) and dodecyl gallate (E 312) from the Union list — EUR-Lex (European Union), 2018. EU removal of E 311; EFSA 2015 could not confirm safety and group ADI no longer valid
- JECFA — Octyl gallate (INS 311), evaluation summary — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1996. JECFA: no ADI allocated (1996)
Checked against these sources on .
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