Orthophenyl Phenol E231
phenolic compound — Primarily synthetic.
2-Phenylphenol
CAS: 90-43-7
Factual Regulatory Reference
This database provides factual regulatory information compiled from official government sources. It does not constitute medical, nutritional, or safety advice. Regulatory status varies by country and is subject to change. Always refer to your local regulatory authority for the most current information.
? Did You Know?
Beyond food, Orthophenyl Phenol is also used in medicine, industrial applications, household products. Its versatility makes it one of the most multi-purpose chemical compounds in everyday life.
To reach the Acceptable Daily Intake limit, a 60kg adult would need to consume approximately ~5 (if eating peel) oranges (200g each, consuming peel) in a single day. (This is a mathematical illustration, not a safety recommendation.)
Regulatory Analysis
Orthophenyl phenol sits at the intersection of food additive and pesticide regulation, classified as a food preservative (E231) in the EU but regulated as a pesticide by the EPA in the USA -- a jurisdictional split that subjects the identical substance to different safety assessment methodologies and burden-of-proof standards. The EPA's classification as a possible carcinogen introduces a risk characterization that does not directly translate to the EU food additive framework, where EFSA maintains an ADI of 0.2 mg/kg. The central unresolved question is the extent of penetration from treated citrus rind into edible flesh, as the safety assessment assumes surface residency while food preparation practices (juicing, zesting) systematically breach that assumption.
Detailed Regulatory Assessment
European Union (EFSA)
RESTRICTED to citrus fruit surface treatment ONLY; must be declared on labels
Official EFSA LinkUnited States (FDA)
Regulated as a pesticide by EPA; approved for post-harvest treatment of citrus
Japan (MHLW)
Approved for surface treatment; also approved as agricultural chemical (農薬としても承認)
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
International Standard (JECFA)
mg/kg body weight per day
European Standard (EFSA)
Everyday Perspective
For a 60kg adult, this limit is roughly equivalent to consuming:
Natural Occurrence
This additive is not known to occur naturally in significant quantities.
Manufacturing
Synthesized from phenol and benzene through chemical reactions, typically via oxidative coupling processes.
Applications Beyond Food
Antiseptic agent
Used as disinfectant, antiseptic, and fungicide in non-food applications
Disinfectant in household cleaning products