Pulegone
بوليجون
Restricted aroma chemical · CAS: 89-82-7
Caution - a restricted, possibly-carcinogenic mint constituent
Why this verdict
IARC Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic); NTP 2-year carcinogenicity findings; hepatotoxic; EU restricts pulegone levels in cosmetics. Concern is chronic toxicity, not allergy.
What It Is
The minty constituent of pennyroyal and some mint oils.
Behind a strong mint note in some 'natural' oils. It's classified as possibly carcinogenic (IARC 2B) and is hepatotoxic, so the EU limits how much can be used - worth knowing it's there.
Evidence & Status
IARC Carcinogen Group
Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans)
EU Status
Restricted in EU cosmetics (concentration limit)
US · FDA Status
NTP carcinogen; FDA delisted as a synthetic food flavoring (2018)
Fragrance & Air
IFRA status
Restricted/limited
Airborne risk
Low (the concern is chronic toxicity)
Sensitizer note
Hazard is carcinogenicity/toxicity, not primarily allergy.
Halal Status: Halal
Plant/synthetic
Standard: MS 1500:2019; GSO 2055-1; JAKIM e-SMAF — plant/synthetic aroma material, no haram source
Worth Knowing
Primary Source
Risk Assessment of Pulegone (BMD modeling); summarises IARC 2B and NTP 2-year studies. PMC11430949.
Evidence, not medical advice. You decide.
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