# Olibanum, Absolute (boswellia Spp.)

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 977184-03-4
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Olibanum Absolute is a flavoring agent derived from boswellia tree resins, used to impart aromatic and resinous notes to food and beverages. It functions as a flavoring adjuvant in small quantities to enhance taste profiles in specialty food applications.

## 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 Olibanum Absolute?

Olibanum Absolute (CAS Number: 977184-03-4) is a concentrated flavoring ingredient extracted from resins of Boswellia species trees, commonly known as frankincense. The absolute is produced through solvent extraction of the resinous exudate, creating a concentrated liquid or semi-solid product with characteristic aromatic properties. This ingredient falls under the broader category of natural flavor compounds derived from plant resins.

Boswellia trees, native to the Arabian Peninsula and northeastern Africa, have been harvested for thousands of years. The resin has historical significance in culinary traditions, religious practices, and traditional medicine across multiple cultures.

## Common Uses

Olibanum Absolute is employed as a flavoring agent primarily in specialty food and beverage applications. Its use is concentrated in:

- Premium beverage formulations seeking aromatic complexity
- Artisanal food products targeting distinctive flavor profiles
- Confectionery items requiring unique taste characteristics
- Specialty culinary applications in high-end food production

Typically used in very small quantities (parts per million), it serves as a flavoring adjuvant rather than a primary ingredient. The compound contributes warm, slightly bitter, and resinous notes to food matrices.

## Safety Assessment

Olibanum Absolute has not received FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status, indicating it has not undergone the formal GRAS notification process with the FDA. However, this designation does not indicate safety concerns; rather, it reflects the limited commercial use and lack of formal petition submission.

Importantly, the FDA has recorded zero adverse events associated with this additive and zero recalls linked to its use. This absence of reported safety incidents in the United States market suggests no documented consumer harm has been associated with its consumption.

Boswellia resins have a long history of human consumption in traditional food and beverage contexts, though historical use does not automatically establish modern food safety compliance.

## Regulatory Status

Unlike additives with GRAS status, Olibanum Absolute's regulatory position remains undefined in major regulatory frameworks. The FDA does not maintain an explicit approval or prohibition for this substance in food, and it does not appear on lists of generally recognized safe flavoring substances.

In the European Union, this ingredient has not been evaluated or approved under the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA) systematic review processes for food additives. EU regulations on botanical flavoring ingredients are stringent, and Olibanum Absolute has not undergone formal approval procedures.

Manufacturers utilizing this ingredient typically do so under the premise that it qualifies as a natural flavoring substance, though this classification remains subject to regulatory interpretation.

## Key Studies

Scientific literature on Olibanum Absolute specifically as a food flavoring additive is limited. Research on boswellia resins has focused primarily on traditional medicine applications and isolated bioactive compounds rather than food safety and flavoring use.

Phytochemical analyses of boswellia resin identify compounds including incensole, boswellic acids, and volatile aromatic compounds. However, comprehensive toxicological studies specific to food-grade olibanum absolute and its safety at levels used in food applications are not readily available in published peer-reviewed literature.

The absence of comprehensive food safety data, combined with lack of GRAS status and minimal regulatory oversight, creates an information gap regarding this ingredient's long-term safety profile in food applications.

## 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. "Olibanum, Absolute (boswellia Spp.) — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/olibanum-absolute-boswellia-spp. Accessed 2026-05-19.