On 14 July 2023, the IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) announced that it had completed its evaluation of the carcinogenicity of Methyl Eugenol and Isoeugenol, classifying them in Group 2A and Group 2B respectively. A summary of the final assessments has just been published online in The Lancet Oncology.
These assessments were approved by a working group of 25 international experts from 12 countries, which met in Lyon from 6 to 13 June 2023 under the IARC Monographs Programme.
Methyl Eugenol
Methyleugenol (CAS No.93-15-2) is a flavour and fragrance compound occurring naturally in essential oils of various plants.
It is regulated under Annex III/102 to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 which sets maximum concentrations for different product categories.
The IARC Working Group classified Methyleugenol as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A), on the basis of sufficient evidence for cancer in experimental animals, strong mechanistic evidence in experimental systems, and inadequate evidence regarding cancer in humans.
Methyleugenol was previously evaluated as Group 2B in IARC Monographs Volume 101, published in 2013.
Isoeugenol
Isoeugenol (CAS No. 97-54-1) is a fragrance and flavour compound that occurs in many plant species and in wood smoke.
It is regulated under Annex III/73 to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and is subject to compulsory labelling in the list of ingredients as soon as its concentration in the formula exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products. It is also limited to 0.02% in products other then oral products.
The IARC Working Group classified Isoeugenol as …
