Baby Safety / Compounds / Methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component)

Is Methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component) safe for babies and kids?

Moderate risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component) than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.

What is methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component)?

The IUPAC name is methyl 2-aminobenzoate.

Also known as: methyl 2-aminobenzoate, METHYL ANTHRANILATE, 2-Aminobenzoic acid methyl ester, Methyl o-aminobenzoate.

IUPAC name: methyl 2-aminobenzoate
CAS number: 134-20-3
Molecular formula: C8H9NO2
Molecular weight: 151.16 g/mol
SMILES: COC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1N
PubChem CID: 8635

Risk for babies

Moderate risk

Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.

What to do: Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component), 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.

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

Regulatory consensus

3 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component). The classifications differ — that's the data.

Agency	Year	Classification
IARC	2013	Not evaluated by IARC for carcinogenicity — Methyl anthranilate (CAS 134-20-3; methyl 2-aminobenzoate; the methyl ester of anthranilic acid; E-number: none — a flavoring substance permitted under EU Regulation 1334/2008 as FL No. 09.879; no E-number) is FDA GRAS (21 CFR 182.60) as a natural and synthetic flavoring substance; JECFA ADI 1.5 mg/kg/day; no IARC, EPA, or EFSA carcinogenicity classification; methyl anthranilate is the primary character impact compound responsible for the distinctive aroma of Concord grape (Vitis labrusca) and similar 'foxy' American grape varieties, and is a component of neroli oil (bitter orange blossom oil); it is also registered as an EPA bird repellent (USEPA Reg. No. 10163-261) and used commercially as a bird deterrent on crops and airfields, which distinguishes it from most other food flavorings
EPA CTX / Genetox	—	Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 5 positive / 2 negative reports)
EPA CTX / Genetox	—	Genotoxicity: positive (Ames: positive, 5 positive / 2 negative reports)

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 methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component)

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 Methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component):

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

Is methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component) safe for kids?

What products contain methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component)?

Methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component) appears in: Manufacturing plants (Industrial facilities); Chemical storage areas (Industrial facilities); Factories (Occupational environments); Warehouses (Occupational environments).

What should I do if my child is exposed to methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component)?

Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.

Why do regulators disagree about methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component)?

Methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component) has been classified by 3 agencies including IARC, 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 Methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component) in the baby app

Look up products containing methyl anthranilate (grape flavor; neroli oil component), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)

Methyl Anthranilate CAS 134-20-3 Methyl 2-Aminobenzoate C8H9NO2 FL09.879 FEMA 2682 No E-Number; FDA GRAS 21 CFR 182.60; JECFA ADI 1.5 mg/kg/day; EFSA 2013 No Safety Concern; Concord Grape Vitis Labrusca Foxy Character Primary Aroma Compound; Vitis Labrusca vs Vinifera European Grapes No Methyl Anthranilate; Neroli Bitter Orange Blossom Ylang-Ylang Jasmine Natural Occurrence; Purple Grape Candy Soda Popsicle American Grape Flavor Application; Bird Repellent EPA Reg 10163-261 TRPA1 Avian Nociceptor Aversion Golf Course Airport Bird Strike; Bird Shield Rejex-It Migrate Brand Names; Methemoglobin Aminobenzoate Extreme Occupational Doses Not Food Safety; Anthranilic Acid Methylation Grape Berry Ripening Biosynthesis; Phylloxera Vitis Labrusca Rootstock Vinifera Scion Methyl Anthranilate Low Selection History (2013) — 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 →