# Fennel, Sweet (foeniculum Vulgare Mill. Var. Dulce (d.c.) Alef.)

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 977007-85-4
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Sweet fennel is a natural flavoring agent derived from the fennel plant (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. var. dulce), known for its characteristic licorice-like taste. It is used in food and beverage manufacturing to provide distinctive flavor profiles in products such as candies, baked goods, beverages, and seasonings.

## Regulatory status

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

## Detailed analysis

## What is Sweet Fennel?

Sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. var. dulce) is a culinary and flavoring ingredient sourced from the fennel plant, a member of the Apiaceae (carrot/parsley) family. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region and has been used for thousands of years in cooking and traditional medicine across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Sweet fennel is distinguished from bitter fennel varieties by its milder, more palatable taste profile. The flavoring agent can be derived from fennel seeds, essential oils, or extract preparations and is characterized by its warm, slightly sweet, licorice-like aroma and taste.

## Common Uses

Sweet fennel functions as a flavoring agent in a wide range of food and beverage applications. It is commonly used in confectionery products, including hard candies, soft candies, and licorice-flavored items. The ingredient appears in baked goods such as breads, pastries, and cookies, particularly in European and Mediterranean cuisine traditions. Beverage manufacturers incorporate fennel flavoring in liqueurs (such as anise-based drinks), herbal teas, soft drinks, and flavored waters. Additionally, sweet fennel is used in savory applications including meat products, sauces, condiments, and spice blends. The ingredient's versatility makes it valuable across multiple food categories where distinctive aromatic qualities are desired.

## Safety Assessment

Sweet fennel has an extensive history of use in food and culinary applications spanning centuries, particularly in Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. The ingredient is derived from a plant commonly recognized as safe by consumers and food manufacturers. According to available FDA data, there have been zero reported adverse events associated with sweet fennel as a food additive, and no food recalls have been attributed to this ingredient. This safety record reflects the widespread acceptance and use of fennel in food manufacturing.

As with many natural flavoring agents, safety considerations focus on purity, contaminant levels, and appropriate dosage levels in finished food products. Fennel essential oils at very high concentrations have been subjects of various scientific studies, though such studies typically examine levels far exceeding normal culinary or food additive use. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated fennel-related ingredients, and fennel has been listed on the FDA's Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list for certain fennel-derived ingredients used as flavoring agents in food products.

## Regulatory Status

Sweet fennel holds a unique regulatory position. While the ingredient itself has not received formal FDA GRAS affirmation as listed in this database entry, fennel-derived flavoring components have been recognized as safe under FDA regulations for food use. The ingredient is permitted for use in food manufacturing in the United States, European Union, Canada, and numerous other countries. In the EU, fennel is listed among permitted flavoring substances. The regulatory acceptance reflects its long history of culinary use and the absence of safety concerns in food applications at typical use levels.

## Key Studies

Scientific literature on fennel predominantly focuses on its traditional uses and phytochemical composition. Fennel contains compounds including anethole (the primary volatile component responsible for its characteristic flavor), estragole, and various other organic compounds. Research has examined fennel's organoleptic properties and its use as a natural flavoring alternative to synthetic counterparts. Studies on fennel essential oil composition have characterized its chemical profile across different growing regions and processing methods. Food safety research has consistently supported the safety of fennel as a flavoring agent when used at appropriate levels in food products. The extensive historical food use data serves as significant evidence supporting the safety profile of this traditional ingredient.

## 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. "Fennel, Sweet (foeniculum Vulgare Mill. Var. Dulce (d.c.) Alef.) — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/fennel-sweet-foeniculum-vulgare-mill-var-dulce-d-c-alef. Accessed 2026-05-19.