Is Caffeic acid safe for babies and kids?
Context-dependent for kids(Babies-specific data is limited; this page draws from human pregnant context.) Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Caffeic acid, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.
What is caffeic acid?
The IUPAC name is (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid.
Also known as: (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid, 3,4-Dihydroxycinnamic acid, 3,4-Dihydroxybenzeneacrylic acid, 3-(3,4-Dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoic acid.
- IUPAC name
- (E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
- CAS number
- 331-39-5
- Molecular formula
- C9H8O4
- Molecular weight
- 180.16 g/mol
- SMILES
- C1=CC(=C(C=C1C=CC(=O)O)O)O
- PubChem CID
- 689043
Risk for babies
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Caffeic acid, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.
No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Caffeic acid, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.
No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.
Regulatory consensus
8 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Caffeic acid. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IARC | 1993 | Group 2B | |
| US EPA | 1993 | not formally assessed as a carcinogen (no IRIS assessment); classified as non-genotoxic carcinogen producing tumors only at high doses with a threshold; risk-benefit context: antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties at typical dietary exposures predominate | |
| EPA CTX / IARC | — | Group 2B - Possibly carcinogenic to humans | |
| EPA CTX / CalEPA | — | Known human carcinogen | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: negative, 1 positive / 1 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Genetox | — | Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: negative, 1 positive / 1 negative reports) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Irritation: SkinIrr2 (score: high) | |
| EPA CTX / Skin-Eye | — | Skin Sensitization: SkinSens1 (score: high) |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter caffeic acid
- Industrial Facilities — Manufacturing plants, Chemical storage areas, Waste treatment sites
- Occupational Environments — Factories, Warehouses, Transportation vehicles
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Caffeic acid:
-
Tocopherol (Vitamin E) based antioxidants
Trade-offs: Lower thermal stability than synthetic BHT/BHA for some polymer applications.Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
Frequently asked questions
What products contain caffeic acid?
Caffeic acid appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).
Why do regulators disagree about caffeic acid?
Caffeic acid has been classified by 8 agencies including IARC, US EPA, EPA CTX / IARC, EPA CTX / CalEPA, EPA CTX / Genetox, with differing conclusions. Regulators apply different standards of evidence (animal data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds), which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Caffeic acid in the baby app
Look up products containing caffeic acid, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (2)
- IARC Monographs Volume 56: Some Naturally Occurring Substances — Caffeic Acid Group 2B; Rodent Forestomach Tumors; Hydroxycinnamic Acid; Coffee Source; Paradoxical Antioxidant Properties; IARC Coffee Reassessment 2016 (1993) — iarc_monograph
- NTP Technical Report: Caffeic Acid — Forestomach Tumors in Rodents at High Doses; Non-Genotoxic Threshold Mechanism; Human Relevance Limitations; Coffee Epidemiology Showing Reduced Cancer Risk (1991) — regulatory
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →