Baby Safety / Compounds / Estragole

Is Estragole safe for babies and kids?

Elevated risk for kids

(Babies-specific data is limited; this page draws from human pregnant context.) Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Estragole, 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 estragole?

The IUPAC name is 1-methoxy-4-prop-2-enylbenzene.

Also known as: 1-methoxy-4-prop-2-enylbenzene, 4-Allylanisole, 1-Allyl-4-methoxybenzene, p-Allylanisole.

IUPAC name
1-methoxy-4-prop-2-enylbenzene
CAS number
140-67-0
Molecular formula
C10H12O
Molecular weight
148.2 g/mol
SMILES
COC1=CC=C(C=C1)CC=C
PubChem CID
8815

Risk for babies

Elevated risk

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Estragole, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Elevated risk

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Estragole, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

6 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Estragole. The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
IARC2002Group 2B
EFSA2001Genotoxic carcinogen; no safe threshold established; margin of exposure approach recommended; present as natural constituent in food herbs (basil, tarragon, fennel, anise); EU Scientific Committee on Food raised concern
EPA CTX / CalEPA—Known human carcinogen
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 9 positive / 3 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox—Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 9 positive / 3 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Skin-Eye—Skin Irritation: Skin corrosion/irritation - Category 2 (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 estragole

  • 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 Estragole:

  • Fragrance-free formulations
    Trade-offs: Consumer preference for scented products
    Relative cost: Lower (ingredient elimination)
  • Essential oil-based fragrances (with disclosure)
    Trade-offs: Natural does not mean safe — many essential oils are skin sensitizers
    Relative cost: 2-5× conventional

Frequently asked questions

What products contain estragole?

Estragole appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

Why do regulators disagree about estragole?

Estragole has been classified by 6 agencies including IARC, EFSA, EPA CTX / CalEPA, EPA CTX / Genetox, 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 Estragole in the baby app

Look up products containing estragole, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (2)
  1. IARC Monographs Volume 82: Some Traditional Herbal Medicines, Some Mycotoxins, Naphthalene and Styrene — Estragole Group 2B; Mouse Hepatocellular Carcinoma; Tarragon and Basil Essential Oil; 1'-Sulfooxy-Estragole DNA Adducts (2002) — iarc_monograph
  2. EFSA/SCF Scientific Opinion on Estragole — Genotoxic Carcinogen; MOE Approach; Basil, Tarragon, Fennel Dietary Sources; Infant Fennel Tea Concern; EMA Restriction Children Under 4; EU Flavoring Evaluation (2001) — 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 →