Extracts of rosemary in food: how much people take in
What it found
The highest average daily intake estimated for children aged 3 to 9 was 0.09 mg per kg of body weight.
The authors say the real intake is very likely lower than these estimates.
What they found
Intake in children
The highest average refined intake estimate was 0.09 mg per kg of body weight per day in children aged 3 to 9. The highest 95th percentile estimate was 0.20 mg per kg of body weight per day, also in children.
Real intake likely lower
The panel concluded that, taking uncertainties into account, these estimates very likely overestimate the real intake from use as a food additive.
Margins of safety
Margins of safety were estimated for children and adults using the refined intake estimate. These are higher than the ones calculated in 2015.
Intake from herbs
Intake of carnosic acid and carnosol from herbs in the normal diet was estimated. It was at most 1.66 mg per kg of body weight per day at the 95th percentile.
What the authors conclude
“Taking uncertainties into account, the Panel concluded that these exposure estimates very likely overestimate the real exposure to extracts of rosemary (E 392) from its use as a food additive according to Annex II.”
Also in their conclusions
- They concluded that the refined intake estimates very likely overestimate the real intake to extracts of rosemary (E 392) from its use as a food additive.
- They estimated margins of safety for children and adults using the refined intake estimate, and these are higher than the ones calculated in 2015.
How it was done
Extracts of rosemary (E 392) had been assessed before, and the panel wanted to update how much people actually take in from its use in food.
The panel used data supplied by the food industry to work out refined intake estimates for extracts of rosemary (E 392) used as a food additive. They also estimated intake of carnosic acid and carnosol from herbs in the normal diet.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This is an intake estimate based on industry data, not a study that measured health effects in people.
- It cannot show whether eating extracts of rosemary affects health.
The paper
- Title
- Refined exposure assessment of extracts of rosemary (E 392) from its use as food additive
- Type
- Scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (EFSA ANS Panel), Younes M, Aggett P, et al (2018). Refined exposure assessment of extracts of rosemary (E 392) from its use as food additive. EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5373Free full textPubMed 32626018DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error