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E392AntioxidantLow concern
Rosemary Extract
In plain words
The short version
A clean-label natural antioxidant — the leading replacement for BHA/BHT in modern formulations.
Why it's green
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 (2008) found the data insufficient to set an ADI but judged the proposed uses to be of no safety concern. In 2025 JECFA set an ADI of 0–0.6 mg/kg body weight per day (as carnosic acid plus carnosol), replacing its earlier temporary ADI of 0–0.3 mg/kg body weight. Reapproved with detailed purity criteria. Strong safety profile compared with the synthetic phenolic antioxidants it replaces.
The detail
Produced by solvent extraction of dried Rosmarinus officinalis leaves followed by deodorization to remove volatile oils, leaving the polyphenolic antioxidants — primarily carnosic acid, carnosol, and rosmarinic acid. Approved as a food additive in the EU in 2010 after years of use as a flavoring.
Has replaced BHA (E320) and BHT (E321) in many meat products, oils, snacks, and ready meals where clean-label positioning matters. Effective against lipid oxidation in oils and fatty foods. Typical use level 50–400 mg/kg expressed as carnosic + carnosol.
Brown viscous oleoresin or pale-yellow powder (deodorized). Oil-soluble; emulsified forms available for aqueous use. Stable to moderate heat.
Permitted in the EU since 2010 and approved globally as either an additive or flavoring extract.
Sources
- WHO JECFA database — Rosemary extract (evaluations 2016, 2019, 2025) — Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), 2025. Safety: full JECFA ADI 0–0.6 mg/kg bw (2025), replacing temporary ADI 0–0.3
- EFSA — Refined exposure assessment of extracts of rosemary (E 392) from its use as food additive (EFSA Journal 2018;16(8):5373) — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), ANS Panel, 2018. Safety: EFSA 2008 set no ADI; EU authorised E 392 with maximum levels
- Commission Directive 2010/69/EU of 22 October 2010 amending the Annexes to Directive 95/2/EC (authorising extracts of rosemary, E 392) — European Commission / Official Journal of the EU (L 279, 23.10.2010), 2010. Regulation: EU authorisation of E 392 in 2010; EFSA 2008 set no numerical ADI
Checked against these sources on .
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