Food Safety Substance

Phenol

Phenol is a food additive with PUBLISHED in the EU, FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing in the US, and data from 10 regulatory sources.

CAS 108-95-2 Indexable evidence set

FDA

FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing

ADI / TDI

EFSA ADI = 0.016 mg/kg bw/day

Codex

4 row(s)

SOURCE D1 identity resolution e number aliases | Food Additives | dsstox identifiers | 10 matched regulatory source group(s)

Substance Identity

Resolved identifiers used to render this food-safety record.

Substance name

Phenol

CAS

108-95-2

DTXSID

DTXSID5021124

PubChem CID

996

Evidence tier

Indexable evidence set (15)

SOURCE EU Commission FDA | Health Canada | Codex Alimentarius

Multi-Jurisdiction Comparison

Side-by-side status rows for the same resolved substance across public food regulators.

Jurisdiction	Authority	Status	Evidence
European Union	EU Commission	PUBLISHED	EU additive listing
United States	FDA	FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing	GRAS notice

SOURCE EU Commission EU Food Additives | EU Food Additives Database

EU Food Additive Status

EU Commission food-additive listing rows from eu_food_additives.

Jurisdiction	E-number	Status	Type	Name	Note
European Union	-	PUBLISHED	substanceFAD	Polyphenol-rich extract (PRE)	-

SOURCE FDA FDA GRAS

FDA GRAS Status

US FDA GRAS notice evidence from enriched and notice tables.

Jurisdiction	GRN	Substance	FDA response	Intended use	Basis	Notifier
United States	497	Polyphenols from the fruit of Litchi chinensis Sonn. and from leaves of Camellia sinensis (L.) Sinensis	FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing	As an ingredient in certain food catefories at levels ranging from 12 to 192 milligrams per serving.	Scientific Procedures	Amino Up Chemical Co., Ltd.
United States	726	Phenolic preparation from olive fruit	FDA has no questions	For use as an ingredient in bakery products; beverages; dairy products and substitutes; desserts; fats and oils; fruit juices and nectars; dry seasoning mixes for meat, poultry...	Scientific procedures	DSM Nutritional Products, LLC.
United States	497	Polyphenols from the fruit of <i>Litchi chinensis</i> Sonn. and from leaves of <i>Camellia sinensis</i> (L.) Sinensis	FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing	As an ingredient in certain food catefories at levels ranging from 12 to 192 milligrams per serving.	Scientific Procedures	Amino Up Chemical Co., Ltd.
United States	726	Phenolic preparation from olive fruit	FDA has no questions (in PDF)	For use as an ingredient in bakery products; beverages; dairy products and substitutes; desserts; fats and oils; fruit juices and nectars; dry seasoning mixes for meat, poultry...	Scientific procedures	DSM Nutritional Products, LLC.

SOURCE EU Commission EU Food Contact Materials

EU FCM Substances

EU food-contact material rows and migration-limit fields.

Jurisdiction	FCM no.	Ref no.	Substance	Use	SML	Regulation
European Union	137	66580	2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-(1-methylcyclohexyl)phenol)	additive/PPA	-	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	163	66400	2,2′-methylene bis(4-ethyl-6-tert-butylphenol)	additive/PPA	-	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	178	92800	4,4′-thiobis(6-tert-butyl-3-methylphenol)	additive/PPA	0,48 mg/kg	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	186	14020	4-tert-butylphenol	monomer/macromolecule	0,05 mg/kg	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	241	22960	phenol	monomer/macromolecule	3 mg/kg	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	285	66480	2,2′-methylene bis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol)	additive/PPA	-	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	352	16360	2,6-dimethylphenol	monomer/macromolecule	0,05 mg/kg	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	358	14841	4-cumylphenol	monomer/macromolecule	0,05 mg/kg	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	472	66560	2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-cyclohexylphenol)	additive/PPA	-	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	477	46720	2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol	additive/PPA	4,8 mg/kg	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	662	25927	1,1,1-tris(4-hydroxyphenol)ethane	monomer/macromolecule	0,005 mg/kg	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	696	92205	terephthalic acid, diester with 2,2′-methylenebis(4-methyl-6-tert-butylphenol)	additive/PPA	-	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	756	40020	2,4-bis(octylthiomethyl)-6-methylphenol	additive/PPA	-	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	758	38940	2,4-bis(dodecylthiomethyl)-6-methylphenol	additive/PPA	-	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	760	83595	reaction product of di-tert-butylphosphonite with biphenyl, obtained by condensation of 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol with Friedel Craft reaction product of phosphorous trichloride and biphenyl	additive/PPA	18 mg/kg	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	765	49485	2,4-dimethyl-6-(1-methylpentadecyl)phenol	additive/PPA	1 mg/kg	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	770	51700	2-(4,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)-5-(hexyloxy)phenol	additive/PPA	0,05 mg/kg	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	882	25872	2,3,6-trimethylphenol	monomer/macromolecule	0,05 mg/kg	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I
European Union	884	34240	alkyl(C10-C21)sulphonic acid, esters with phenol	additive/PPA	0,05 mg/kg	Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, Annex I

SOURCE Codex Alimentarius Codex Pesticide MRLs

Pesticide MRLs

Codex pesticide maximum-residue-limit rows by commodity.

Jurisdiction	Pesticide	Commodity	MRL	ADI / PTDI	ARfD	Residue definition
Codex	2-Phenylphenol	Citrus fruits (group)	10 mg/kg	0.4 mg/kg bw -1999 (FAO Pesticide Detail)	-	Plant commodities: Sum of 2-phenylphenol and sodium 2-phenylphenate, free and conjugated, expressed as 2-phenylphenol. (FAO Pesticide Detail)
Codex	2-Phenylphenol	Citrus pulp, dried	60 mg/kg	0.4 mg/kg bw -1999 (FAO Pesticide Detail)	-	Plant commodities: Sum of 2-phenylphenol and sodium 2-phenylphenate, free and conjugated, expressed as 2-phenylphenol. (FAO Pesticide Detail)
Codex	2-Phenylphenol	Orange juice	0.5 mg/kg	0.4 mg/kg bw -1999 (FAO Pesticide Detail)	-	Plant commodities: Sum of 2-phenylphenol and sodium 2-phenylphenate, free and conjugated, expressed as 2-phenylphenol. (FAO Pesticide Detail)
Codex	2-Phenylphenol	Pear	20 mg/kg	0.4 mg/kg bw -1999 (FAO Pesticide Detail)	-	Plant commodities: Sum of 2-phenylphenol and sodium 2-phenylphenate, free and conjugated, expressed as 2-phenylphenol. (FAO Pesticide Detail)

SOURCE JECFA JECFA ADI

JECFA ADI Values

JECFA ADI records and evaluation years.

Jurisdiction	Chemical name	JECFA no.	CAS	ADI	ADI upper	Function	Evaluation year
JECFA	o-ACETYLPHENOL	-	-	no_data	-	-	2000
JECFA	p-PROPYLPHENOL	696	-	No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	2000
JECFA	o-PROPYLPHENOL	695	-	No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	2000
JECFA	o-(METHYLTHIO)PHENOL	503	-	No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	1999
JECFA	2-METHOXY-4-METHYLPHENOL	715	-	No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	2000
JECFA	alpha-CYMOPHENOL	-	-	no_data	-	-	2000
JECFA	BUTYLATED HYDROXYMETHYLPHENOL	-	-	no_data	-	-	1987
JECFA	2-METHYLMERCAPTOPHENOL	-	-	no_data	-	-	1999
JECFA	4-HYDROXYMETHYL-2,6-DITERTIARY-BUTYLPHENOL	-	-	NO ADI ALLOCATED	-	ANTIOXIDANT	1987
JECFA	2,6-DIMETHOXYPHENOL	721	-	No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	2000
JECFA	4-(4,5-DIMETHYL-1,3-DIOXOLAN-2-YL)-2-METHOXYPHENOL	-	-	no_data	-	-	2001
JECFA	PROPENYL-2,6-DIMETHOXYPHENOL	1265	-	No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	2003
JECFA	PHENOL	690	-	No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	2000
JECFA	4-ALLYL-2,6-DIMETHOXYPHENOL	726	-	No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	2000
JECFA	2-METHOXY-4-VINYLPHENOL	725	-	No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	2000
JECFA	2-ETHYLTHIOPHENOL	529	-	No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	1999
JECFA	o-METHOXYPHENOL PHENYLACETATE	-	-	no_data	-	-	2000
JECFA	2-METHOXY-4-PROPYLPHENOL	717	-	No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	2000
JECFA	4-ALLYLPHENOL	1527	-	No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	2008
JECFA	o-(ETHOXYMETHYL)PHENOL	714	-	No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	2000
JECFA	2-METHOXY-6-(2-PROPENYL)PHENOL	1528	-	ACCEPTABLE (CONDITIONAL)	-	FLAVOURING_AGENT	2008
JECFA	2-ALLYL-6-METHOXYPHENOL	-	-	no_data	-	-	2008
JECFA	4-ALLYL-2-METHOXYPHENOL	-	-	no_data	-	-	2005
JECFA	SODIUM o-PHENYLPHENOL	-	132-27-4	0-0.2 mg/kg bw	0.2	PRESERVATIVE	1964
JECFA	p-DIPHENOL OXIDASE	-	-	no_data	-	-	2003

SOURCE ATSDR ATSDR MRL

ATSDR MRL Data

ATSDR minimal-risk-level rows by route and duration.

Jurisdiction	Chemical	Route	Duration	MRL	Critical effect	Status	Year
United States	2-CHLOROPHENOL	Oral	Intermediate	0.08 mg/kg/day	Reprod	Final	2022
United States	4-CHLOROPHENOL	Oral	Intermediate	0.9 mg/kg/day	Reprod	Final	2022
United States	2,4-DICHLOROPHENOL	Oral	Intermediate	0.02 mg/kg/day	Immuno	Final	2022
United States	2,4-DINITROPHENOL	Oral	Intermediate	0.07 ug/kg/day	Body Wt	Final	2021
United States	PENTACHLOROPHENOL	Oral	Acute	5 ug/kg/day	Develop	Final	2022
United States	PENTACHLOROPHENOL	Oral	Chronic	5 ug/kg/day	Hepatic	Final	2022
United States	PHENOL	Oral	Acute	1 mg/kg/day	Body Wt	Final	2008
United States	2,3,4,6-TETRACHLOROPHENOL	Oral	Acute	0.08 mg/kg/day	Hepatic	Final	2022
United States	2,3,4,6-TETRACHLOROPHENOL	Oral	Intermediate	0.01 mg/kg/day	Hepatic	Final	2022
United States	2,4,5-TRICHLOROPHENOL	Oral	Intermediate	1 mg/kg/day	Hepatic,Renal	Final	2022
United States	2,4,6-TRICHLOROPHENOL	Oral	Intermediate	5 ug/kg/day	Hepatic	Final	2022

SOURCE ingredients ghs classifications

Cross-Reference to Cosmetics / Chemicals / Pharma

Same-CAS public rows from adjacent Roots verticals where available.

SOURCE Cross-vertical comparison ingredients | ghs classifications

Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence

This substance has different regulatory treatment across food, cosmetics, and industrial use.

CosmeticsPhenolEU status: restricted Industrial / GHSWarningEuropean Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

SOURCE FAQPage JSON-LD public food renderer rows

Frequently Asked Questions

Food-use, safety, ADI, and cross-vertical answers mirrored into FAQPage JSON-LD.

What is Phenol used for in food?

Phenol appears in food-use rows as: FLAVORING AGENT OR ADJUVANT.

Is Phenol safe?

This page does not assign a standalone safety verdict; it renders public regulatory evidence. ADI/reference value: EFSA ADI = 0.016 mg/kg bw/day. EU status evidence: PUBLISHED. US/FDA evidence: FDA has no questions; some uses may require a color additive listing.

What is the ADI for Phenol?

Phenol has this ADI/reference value in the food-safety tables: EFSA ADI = 0.016 mg/kg bw/day. Source: EFSA 2018.

Is Phenol also used in cosmetics?

Phenol has a same-CAS cosmetics cross-reference: Phenol, EU status restricted.