Can this lemongrass oil be used in food and flavouring, and what are the compliance rules?
Yes. Lemongrass oil is one of the classic food flavouring materials. In China it is listed as food natural flavouring N090 in Annex B of GB 2760-2024 (FEMA 2624), used at GMP levels. In the US it is GRAS under 21 CFR 182.20 (FEMA 2624/2625/2626), and JECFA (WHO Food Additives Series 52) concluded that ADI does not need to be specified for the flavouring complex.
Food Compliance
| Market | Listing | Use note |
|---|---|---|
| China | GB 2760-2024 Annex B, N090 (FEMA 2624) | Flavouring use per GMP |
| USA | FDA 21 CFR 182.20 GRAS; FEMA 2624/2625/2626 | Food flavouring, no ADI limit |
| EU | (EC) 1334/2008 natural flavouring | Flavour modifier per GMP |
| JECFA | WHO Series 52; ADI not specified | Safety evaluation completed |
Typical Flavour Applications
| Application | Direction |
|---|---|
| Beverages | Lemonade, herbal teas, ginger-lemon sodas |
| Confectionery | Hard candy, gummies, chewing gum |
| Southeast Asian cuisine | Tom yum, curry bases, satay, lemongrass chicken |
| Bakery & desserts | Lemon cakes, cookies, ice cream |
| Alcoholic drinks | Herbal liqueurs, gin-style botanicals, cocktails |
| Savoury seasoning | Spice blends, marinades, sauces |
- Use the food-grade (FCC/ISO) line for food applications; typical flavouring doses are low because citral is intense (fractions of a percent in the finished product)
- The oil must be dissolved in ethanol or a food-grade solubiliser for aqueous beverages
- Do not confuse with Citronella oil (FEMA 2308) — it is not listed for the same food use
Relate Products
This article was published on 2026-09-07, and last updated on 2026-09-07. The article will be continuously updated.
