# Carvomenthol

> Source URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/carvomenthol
> Markdown URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/carvomenthol.md

**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 499-69-4
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Carvomenthol is a naturally-derived flavoring compound with a minty, cooling taste profile. It is used in small quantities in food and beverage products to provide sensory characteristics associated with menthol and mint flavors.

## 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 Carvomenthol?

Carvomenthol (CAS Number 499-69-4) is an organic compound belonging to the class of monoterpene alcohols. It is a structural isomer related to menthol and is derived from natural sources including mint plants and essential oils. The compound exhibits a characteristic cool, minty flavor and aroma, making it useful in the flavor industry. Chemically, carvomenthol contains a hydroxyl group attached to a cyclohexene ring with a methyl substituent, giving it distinct sensory properties.

## Common Uses

Carvomenthol is primarily used as a flavoring agent and flavor adjuvant in the food and beverage industry. It appears in products such as confectionery, chewing gum, breath mints, beverages, and oral care products. The compound is valued for its ability to impart cooling and minty sensations at very low concentrations, typically in the range of parts per million in finished food products. Due to its potency, only small quantities are needed to achieve desired flavor profiles.

## Safety Assessment

Carvomenthol has not been formally assessed for GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status by the FDA, though this does not indicate safety concerns. Instead, it may be used under the FDA's food additive petition process or under existing flavor regulations for naturally-derived flavoring substances. The compound has not generated any adverse event reports in the FDA database, and no product recalls have been associated with carvomenthol. This absence of reported safety issues suggests a favorable safety profile in normal food use contexts.

As a naturally-derived monoterpene alcohol related to commonly used mint flavoring compounds, carvomenthol shares structural similarity with ingredients that have a long history of safe use in food. Mint and menthol-derived compounds have been widely consumed in foods and beverages for centuries without documented safety concerns at typical usage levels.

## Regulatory Status

In the United States, carvomenthol may be used as a flavoring substance under 21 CFR Part 182, which covers substances generally recognized as safe for use in food. The FDA does not maintain a formal GRAS determination for this specific compound, but it can be used as a flavor ingredient where it complies with existing regulations for natural and synthetic flavoring substances.

In Europe, flavoring substances including carvomenthol are regulated under the Flavourings Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) maintains evaluations of flavoring compounds, though specific detailed assessments of carvomenthol may be limited in publicly available literature.

The compound is recognized in various pharmacopeias and flavor industry standards as an acceptable flavoring material, with specifications for purity and identity established by bodies such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA).

## Key Studies

Limited published scientific literature specifically addresses carvomenthol in isolation. However, related compounds in the monoterpene alcohol class, particularly menthol and related isomers, have been extensively studied. These compounds demonstrate low toxicity in animal models and have established safety margins for food use. The chemical structure of carvomenthol, being a hydroxylated monoterpene, suggests metabolic pathways similar to other naturally-occurring mint-derived compounds.

Absence of regulatory flags, adverse events, and recalls in FDA databases suggests adequate safety margins at current use levels in food applications. Further specific toxicological data would strengthen the evidence base, but current information does not raise safety concerns for typical food use.

## 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. "Carvomenthol — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/carvomenthol. Accessed 2026-05-19.