# Bornyl Formate

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 7492-41-3
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Bornyl formate is a naturally-derived flavoring compound classified as an ester of formic acid and borneol. It is used in food and beverage products to provide minty, camphoraceous, and woody flavor notes.

## 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 Bornyl Formate?

Bornyl formate (CAS Number 7492-41-3) is an organic ester composed of formic acid and borneol, a bicyclic monoterpene alcohol. The compound exists as a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic minty and camphoraceous odor. Borneol itself is a naturally occurring component found in various essential oils, including camphor oil, and bornyl formate can be derived through chemical synthesis or obtained from natural sources.

## Common Uses

Bornyl formate functions as a flavoring agent and flavor adjuvant in the food and beverage industry. Its primary applications include:

- Mint and menthol-flavored products (chewing gums, candies, breath mints)
- Beverages requiring cooling or refreshing sensations
- Confectionery and dessert products
- Savory food applications where woody or herbal notes are desired
- Tobacco flavoring (in regulated jurisdictions)

The compound is used in extremely small quantities, as is typical for flavor compounds, to achieve the desired sensory profile in finished products.

## Safety Assessment

Bornyl formate has not been formally evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status. However, the lack of GRAS status does not indicate safety concerns; rather, it reflects that formal petition and review have not been pursued or completed through the standard FDA process.

The safety profile of bornyl formate is supported by several considerations:

- No adverse events related to bornyl formate consumption have been reported to the FDA
- No food recalls associated with this ingredient have been documented in FDA records
- Borneol, its primary constituent, has a long history of use in traditional medicine and food applications across multiple cultures
- The compound is used at very low concentrations typical of flavor compounds, which generally present minimal risk
- Related flavor compounds in the borneol/camphor family have been extensively studied

When used as a flavoring agent within established food industry practices and concentration limits, bornyl formate is considered safe for its intended purpose.

## Regulatory Status

Bornyl formate's regulatory status varies by jurisdiction:

- **United States**: While not GRAS-listed, it may be used in foods under the FDA's flavor regulations (21 CFR 182.60), which allow certain natural and synthetic flavoring substances to be used directly in food without prior approval, provided they meet safety standards and usage levels are not higher than necessary to achieve the desired effect.
- **European Union**: The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) maintains a flavor compounds database that includes assessment of various formate esters and borneol derivatives.
- **Other Regions**: Availability and approval status may differ in international markets, and manufacturers must comply with local regulations.

The absence of formal GRAS petition completion does not prevent its use in food under applicable regulations in many jurisdictions, provided appropriate safety and quality standards are met.

## Key Studies

While bornyl formate specifically has limited published research, the safety profile is informed by:

- Extensive literature on borneol as a naturally occurring compound with known safety margins
- General toxicological data on formate esters as a chemical class
- Long-term use history of related camphoraceous flavor compounds in food and pharmaceutical applications
- Standard flavor industry safety assessments that evaluate genotoxicity, acute toxicity, and metabolic fate

The flavor industry relies on conservative safety testing and concentration limits to ensure consumer safety. Flavor compounds are typically used at parts-per-million levels, well below thresholds of concern identified in standard toxicological protocols.

## 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. "Bornyl Formate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/bornyl-formate. Accessed 2026-05-19.