# Apricot Kernel, Oil (prunus Armeniaca L.)

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 72869-69-3
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Apricot kernel oil is a natural flavoring agent derived from the seeds of apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca L.). It is used in food products to impart apricot flavor and aroma in small quantities.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | not_evaluated |
| Canada | not_evaluated |
| Australia | not_evaluated |
| Japan | not_evaluated |
| South Korea | not_evaluated |
| Brazil | not_evaluated |
| China | not_evaluated |
| India | not_evaluated |

## Detailed analysis

## What is Apricot Kernel Oil?

Apricot kernel oil (CAS Number 72869-69-3) is a flavoring agent extracted from the kernels of apricot fruit (Prunus armeniaca L.). This natural oil contains volatile and non-volatile compounds responsible for the characteristic apricot flavor and aroma. The oil is obtained through pressing or solvent extraction of apricot seeds and is used as a food flavoring ingredient in minimal quantities due to its concentrated flavor profile.

## Common Uses

Apricot kernel oil functions primarily as a flavoring agent and flavor adjuvant in the food industry. It is commonly used in:

- Baked goods and pastries
- Confectionery and candy products
- Beverages and flavored drinks
- Dairy products such as yogurts and ice cream
- Flavoring syrups and concentrates
- Processed fruit products

Because apricot kernel oil provides intense apricot flavor characteristics, it is typically used in very small concentrations—often measured in parts per million (ppm)—to achieve the desired flavor profile without overwhelming other taste components.

## Safety Assessment

Apricot kernel oil has not been formally evaluated by the FDA under the Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) program, meaning it lacks this specific regulatory designation. However, this designation absence does not indicate safety concerns; rather, it reflects that the ingredient may not have undergone formal GRAS petition review.

The FDA has recorded zero adverse events associated with apricot kernel oil and zero product recalls involving this ingredient, suggesting a positive safety history in food use. This lack of reported safety incidents indicates that the ingredient has not raised significant consumer or regulatory concerns during its use in food products.

It is important to note that apricot kernels themselves contain small amounts of cyanogenic compounds that can release hydrogen cyanide when metabolized. However, the oil extracted from kernels contains primarily fatty and aromatic compounds, with cyanogenic content being significantly reduced through extraction and processing. Additionally, the extremely small quantities used as a flavoring agent—typically a fraction of a gram in final food products—would result in negligible exposure levels.

## Regulatory Status

Apricot kernel oil operates under the Food and Drug Administration's food additive regulations as a flavoring agent. While not GRAS-designated, it may be used in food products under FDA authority as a food additive when properly documented and at appropriate use levels. The ingredient appears in various food products marketed in the United States without reported regulatory action.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) maintains regulatory oversight of flavoring substances in the European Union. Apricot kernel oil, as a natural flavoring derived from an edible source, falls within categories of flavoring substances that are subject to European flavor regulation.

The absence of FDA recalls or adverse event reports suggests that products containing this flavoring agent have not triggered safety investigations or removal actions, indicating routine regulatory acceptance at current use levels.

## Key Studies

Limited peer-reviewed literature specifically addresses apricot kernel oil as a food additive, which is typical for minor flavoring ingredients used in trace quantities. The safety profile is supported primarily through:

- Historical use data demonstrating long-term consumption without documented adverse effects
- General knowledge of apricot kernel composition and processing
- Extremely low use levels in food applications (typically below 10 ppm)
- Absence of reported adverse events in FDA databases

Research on apricot kernel composition indicates that the oil fraction contains primarily fatty acids, sterols, and volatile flavor compounds, with reduced levels of potentially concerning compounds removed during extraction and processing.

## Sources

- FDA Substances Added to Food (CFSAN)
- OpenFDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
- OpenFDA Food Recalls
- EFSA OpenFoodTox
- EU Food Additive Portal

## Citation

Additive Facts. "Apricot Kernel, Oil (prunus Armeniaca L.) — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/apricot-kernel-oil-prunus-armeniaca-l. Accessed 2026-05-12.