Should I Avoid sassafras officinale bark/root extract During Pregnancy? | VeriMom

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FAQ

Is sassafras officinale bark/root extract safe during pregnancy?

Sassafras-derived materials can contain safrole, which has harmonised CLP classifications for carcinogenicity and genotoxicity (H350, H341) and is considered a carcinogen in governmental/agency reviews; this supports a high hazard score for reproductive/cancer-related risks in pregnancy when safrole is present. Sources note safrole as the main toxic constituent of sassafras oil. (ECHA; NTP; FDA).

Is sassafras officinale bark/root extract safe while breastfeeding?

Same basis as pregnancy: presence of safrole (harmonised carcinogen/genotoxin) drives the hazard (H350/H341). Topical exposure to safrole-containing extracts can lead to systemic exposure at low but measurable levels, so breastfeeding exposure is plausible if safrole is present. (ECHA; NTP).

Is sassafras officinale bark/root extract safe for baby skin?

Hazard remains driven by safrole content (harmonised carcinogen/genotoxin). Exposure score is increased by +1 for baby skin per your rules because sassafras constituents (safrole) are lipophilic and measurable; infant skin has higher absorption, so exposure is moderately higher than adult topical use. IFRA/Cosmetic guidance restricts safrole content in finished products. (IFRA summary; ECHA).

How does VeriMom score sassafras officinale bark/root extract?

VeriMom scores sassafras officinale bark/root extract at 20/100 (high risk) based on EU CosIng status, ECHA hazard classifications, and peer-reviewed PubMed studies. Our scoring pipeline is fully transparent.

What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to sassafras officinale bark/root extract?

See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to sassafras officinale bark/root extract based on similar function and a no-known-risks safety band.