Is Methyl eugenol safe for babies and kids?
Very high risk for kidsInfants are more vulnerable to Methyl eugenol 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 eugenol?
The IUPAC name is 1,2-dimethoxy-4-prop-2-enylbenzene.
Also known as: 1,2-dimethoxy-4-prop-2-enylbenzene, METHYLEUGENOL, 4-Allyl-1,2-dimethoxybenzene, Eugenol methyl ether.
- IUPAC name
- 1,2-dimethoxy-4-prop-2-enylbenzene
- CAS number
- 93-15-2
- Molecular formula
- C11H14O2
- Molecular weight
- 178.23 g/mol
- SMILES
- COC1=C(C=C(C=C1)CC=C)OC
- PubChem CID
- 7127
Risk for babies
Very high riskInfants are more vulnerable to Methyl eugenol than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
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.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentRegulatory consensus
1 regulatory bodyhas classified Methyl eugenol.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDC Assessment | — | Suspected endocrine disruptor |
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 eugenol
- Personal Care — perfume, cosmetics
- Food — basil, bay leaf, allspice, nutmeg (natural trace levels)
-
Fragrance
— perfume, cologne, scented personal care products, household fragrance products, candles
Identified in Fragrance Ingredient Safety Priority Research database (2,325 ingredients)
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Methyl eugenol:
-
Eugenol (lower concern)
Trade-offs: Alternative fragrance ingredient; individual safety profile should be assessed per IFRA standards; sensitization potential varies by compound; patch testing recommended for sensitive individuals.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Isoeugenol (with limits)
Trade-offs: Alternative fragrance ingredient; individual safety profile should be assessed per IFRA standards; sensitization potential varies by compound; patch testing recommended for sensitive individuals.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is methyl eugenol safe for kids?
Infants are more vulnerable to Methyl eugenol than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
What products contain methyl eugenol?
Methyl eugenol appears in: perfume (Personal care); cosmetics (Personal care); basil (Food); bay leaf (Food); perfume (Fragrance).
What should I do if my child is exposed to methyl eugenol?
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.
See Methyl eugenol in the baby app
Look up products containing methyl eugenol, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- PubChem Compound Database (2026) — database
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 →