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Thyme Oil

Low concern

Thyme oil is GRAS as a flavoring and essential oil at typical food-use levels (21 CFR 182.20). Concentrated oil is highly potent and should not be consumed neat; thymol can cause GI irritation at high doses.

Found in

6 products

What it is

Thyme oil is the essential oil distilled from Thymus vulgaris leaves, rich in thymol and carvacrol.

Flavoring and natural antimicrobial; used at very low levels.

Why it's flagged

highly concentrated essential oil; toxic at undiluted high doses

What regulators actually say

"Essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free), and natural extractives (including distillates)... thyme... are generally recognized as safe for their intended use."

21 CFR 182.20 — ecfr.gov

Regulatory status

United States — FDA

Essential oils of thyme are GRAS as natural flavorings under 21 CFR 182.20.

European Union — EFSA

Permitted as a natural flavoring.

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