Food use
Food-use source coverage is present in the current record.
The ingredient appears in food-oriented source coverage or allowed-use references, which makes food use easier to support than a context with no domain signal at all.
- beauty
- cleaning
- food
- industrial
Phenylethyl alcohol
CAS 1321-27-3 · 60/100 · High conf.
Also registered as 3 other CAS numbers
19601-20-8 · 2043361-12-0 · 60-12-8
Concern score
60/100High concern based on regulatory listings.
High confidence
Phenylethyl alcohol in plain language
On cosmetic ingredient lists it appears as “Phenethyl alcohol”.
Also known as Phenethyl alcohol · 2-PHENETHYL alcohol · 2-Phenylethan-1-ol · 2-Phenylethanol · Benzeneethanol · Pea
Show all 28 names
.beta.-(hydroxyethyl)benzene · (2-Hydroxyethyl)benzene · .beta.-hydroxyethylbenzene · .beta.-phenylethyl alcohol · 2-Hydroxyethylbenzene · 2-PEA · 2-PHENYLAETHANOL · 2-Phenethanol · 2-Phenyl-1-ethanol · 2-Phenylethyl alcohol · 2-feniletanol · Benzylcarbinol · Ethanol, 2-phenyl- · Phenethanol · Phenylethyl alcohol (USP) · beta-Fenylethanol · beta-PEA · beta-Phenylethanol · phenyl ethyl alcohol · phenyl- ethylalkohol · phenylethanol · phenylethylalcohol
Used in cosmetics as a fragrance ingredient.
- Fragrance
- Flavouring agent
- Antioxidant
- Preservative
- Solvent
- Flavouring
- High concern: no hazard classifications on record. It is listed for cosmetic use in the EU.
Why it's flagged
EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 1334 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies, Personal care, Cleaning products and household care.
The score describes this ingredient's chemical identity — its hazard profile from published classifications and regulatory status — not the safety of any product it appears in.
Regulation
No restrictions found. Phenylethyl alcohol appears in these published regulatory listings.
- In marketed US drugs
- Inactive ingredient in US drugs
- Found in consumer products
- Beauty
- Cleaning
- Industrial
USFDAinactive ingredient database9 entries — 8 administration routes
- Route: OPHTHALMIC; Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 0.25 %w/wSource →
- Route: RESPIRATORY (INHALATION); Dosage form: INHALANT; Potency: 277.1 mgSource →
- Route: TOPICAL; Dosage form: CREAM; Potency: NASource →
- Route: VAGINAL; Dosage form: CREAM; Potency: NASource →
- Route: INTRAMUSCULAR; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Potency: 5 mgSource →
- Route: INTRA-ARTICULAR; Dosage form: SUSPENSION; Potency: 5 mgSource →
- Route: AURICULAR (OTIC); Dosage form: SOLUTION; Potency: 0.25 %w/wSource →
- Route: NASAL; Dosage form: SPRAY, METERED; Maximum daily exposure: 2 mgSource →
- Route: NASAL; Dosage form: SPRAY; Maximum daily exposure: 1 mgSource →
EUEFSAEFSA opinion3 entries
- Safety of 31 flavouring compounds belonging to different chemical groups when used as feed additives for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)Source →
- Flavouring Group Evaluation 53 (FGE.53) Consideration of phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, acid and related acetals and esters evaluated by JECFA (59th meeting) structurally related to phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, esters and related phenylacetic acid esters evaluated by EFSA in FGE.14 (2005) and one phenoxyethyl ester evaluated in FGE.23 (2006) (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000) (EFSA AFC)Source →
- Flavouring Group Evaluation 53, Revision 1 (FGE.53Rev1): Consideration of phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, acid and related acetals and esters evaluated by JECFA (59th meeting) and structurally related to phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, esters and related phenylacetic acid esters evaluated by EFSA in FGE.14Rev1 (2009) and one phenoxyethyl ester evaluated in FGE.23Rev1 (2008). Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) (EFSA CEF)Source →
EUCosIngActiveListed in CosIng inventory for cosmetic use.
- Listed in CosIng inventory for cosmetic use.Source →
GLOBALJECFANo safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agentJECFA evaluation lists ADI No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. Functional class: flavouring agent.
- JECFA evaluation lists ADI No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. Functional class: flavouring agent.Source →
GLOBALJECFAEvaluatedJECFA evaluation record.
- JECFA evaluation record.Source →
USEPAcommercial use observedEPA CPDat observed this chemical in 1334 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies, Personal care, Cleaning products and household care. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Fragrance, Deodorizer, No specific technical function.
- EPA CPDat observed this chemical in 1334 composition records across product categories including Laboratory supplies, Personal care, Cleaning products and household care. EPA CPDat classifies this chemical for functional uses including Fragrance, Deodorizer, No specific technical function.Source →
USFDAmarketed drug occurrenceFDA NDC lists this ingredient in 3 active drug products and 3 total products.
- FDA NDC lists this ingredient in 3 active drug products and 3 total products.Source →
USFDAlisted in openFDA substanceopenFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.
- openFDA substance registry classifies this ingredient as chemical.Source →
Expert safety opinions
Independent scientific assessments cited by the records we hold, with the year and link where the record gives one.
SCCS
EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety
No SCCS opinion on file.
CIR
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (US expert panel)
No CIR safety assessment on file.
EFSA
European Food Safety Authority
Safety of 31 flavouring compounds belonging to different chemical groups when used as feed additives for all animal species (EFSA FEEDAP)
2020 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Flavouring Group Evaluation 53 (FGE.53) Consideration of phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, acid and related acetals and esters evaluated by JECFA (59th meeting) structurally related to phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, esters and related phenylacetic acid esters evaluated by EFSA in FGE.14 (2005) and one phenoxyethyl ester evaluated in FGE.23 (2006) (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000) (EFSA AFC)
2008 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
Flavouring Group Evaluation 53, Revision 1 (FGE.53Rev1): Consideration of phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, acid and related acetals and esters evaluated by JECFA (59th meeting) and structurally related to phenethyl alcohol, aldehyde, esters and related phenylacetic acid esters evaluated by EFSA in FGE.14Rev1 (2009) and one phenoxyethyl ester evaluated in FGE.23Rev1 (2008). Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) (EFSA CEF)
2009 · EU EFSA listing · Read the source →
JECFA
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives
JECFA evaluation lists ADI No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent. Functional class: flavouring agent.
Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →
JECFA evaluation record.
Year not recorded · GLOBAL JECFA listing · Read the source →
Evidence & sources
No graded research studies for Phenylethyl alcohol yet. This record is compiled from the published data sources below — registries and regulatory listings, not study findings.
Where this comes from
- Open →
CosIng
regulatory · updated 2026-09-23
- Open →
EFSA OpenFoodTox
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
- Open →
EPA Chemical and Products Database
exposure · updated november 6, 2019
- Open →
EPA DSSTox Identifiers
chemistry · updated 2025-12-29
- Open →
FDA Inactive Ingredient Database
regulatory · updated 2026-01-09
- Open →
FDA National Drug Code Directory
regulatory · updated 2026-12-31
- Open →
FDA GSRS UNII
registry · updated 2026-02-26
- Open →
WHO JECFA Database
regulatory · updated 2026-10-04
- Open →
openFDA Substance
registry · updated 2026-05-24
- Open →
PubChem Live Enrichment
chemistry · updated 2026-05-17
Suitability
Context-specific fit derived from published classifications and the current ingredient evidence profile.
Good fit
Fragrance avoidance
Not a strong fit for fragrance avoidance because it carries Fragrance.
The ingredient itself is a fragrance-linked signal, so it is better treated as an avoid case when fragrance exposure is the main concern.
Where it has been recorded
How often EPA CPDat has listed Phenylethyl alcohol in a product composition. These are source records, not Greenveil catalog products.
Source records
1,334
Named organisations
6
Laboratory suppliesPersonal careCleaning products and household careVehiclePet and animal careCleaning and safety
Typical roles
FragranceFlavouring agentAntioxidantPreservativeSolventFlavouring
Found in these products
Their ingredient lists include Phenylethyl alcohol; each product's own rating depends on its whole formula, so it is shown on the product page, not here.
- KIDDYLICIOUS Veggie Straws - saveur Légumes - 48g (4x12g)Kiddylicious · Snacks
- Smoky Barbecue Crunchgraze · Snacks
- curry cauliflower bitesHolland & Barrett · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
- Crema verdurasHacendado · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
- Alumettes Just au FourMcCain · Frozen Foods
- Riz aux Légumes du SoleilBen's Original · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
- Just au Four ExpressMcCain · Frozen Foods
- Crema de LentejasHacendado · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
- Riz paëllaBen's · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
- Light Tuna Salad Corn with peas, carrots and black olivesRIO mare · Seafood
- Riz CantonaisBEN'S · Meals
- Protein Power Soup Garden Pea & SpinachBOL · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
- Just au four SteakhouseMcCain · Vegan Products
- Vegetal VegguezCarrefour · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
- Eiweiss BrotGutBio · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
- Golden VegetableBen's Original · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
- Pain nordiqueIntermarché · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
- Vegetal ChipoisCarrefour · Meat Alternatives
- Ensaladilla rusaHacendado · Ensaladilla Rusa Preparada
- Protein crispsAccelerate · Snacks
- Honey Roast CrunchGraze · Snacks
- Batchelors : Mushy OriginalBatchelors · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
- Super Salade Boulgour, Tuna, Gentiles And BasilPetit Navire · Meals
- Arroz tres deliciasHacendado · Plant Based Foods And Beverages
Often appears with
Ingredients that frequently appear alongside Phenylethyl alcohol in the catalog.