CarCareTruth

Vanillin

  • Fragrances
  • CAS 121-33-5
  • IUPAC: 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde

Very low health concern. Vanillin is one of the most studied fragrance compounds and is GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) for food use. At the trace concentrations used in car care products it poses negligible risk. Potential sensitizer in rare individuals with extreme fragrance sensitivity.

Vanillin is the primary aromatic compound in vanilla beans and is produced both naturally (from vanilla pods) and synthetically (from guaiacol). It is used as a fragrance additive in car care products at very low concentrations. Vanillin has an excellent safety and environmental profile: readily biodegradable, low aquatic toxicity, no persistence or bioaccumulation, and decades of safe use in food and cosmetics. It is one of the least concerning fragrance ingredients that appears in car care formulations.

Health & environment profile

VOC
no
Prop 65 listed
no
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
no
Aquatic toxicity
no
Biodegradable
yes
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
no
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Env. score
5/5
Purpose: Fragrance — vanilla scent note

1 product contain this

Health summaries are editorial — we synthesize from SDSs, peer-reviewed sources, and regulatory listings. Not medical advice.