# Application of Cinnamon Essential Oil in Active Food Packaging: A Review
## 7 Legislation Applicable to the Use of Essential Oils in Food  
The regulations addressing the use of EOs in the food industry contemplate two perspectives: use as a food ingredient or as part of the packaging [10]. In the European Union, the legislation applicable to the use of EOs as a food ingredient depends on whether they are used as additives or as flavorings. Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 on food additives regulates the use of EOs as additives [104]. In the annexes of this Regulation, rosemary extracts are included as additives and, depending on the product in which they are added, the maximum permitted doses are established [104]. However, no other references to other EOs have been found. Regulation (EC) No. 1334/2008 on flavorings and certain food ingredients with flavoring properties for use in and on food regulates the use of EOs as flavorings [105]. This Regulation contains several requirements that must be implemented to ensure safe use. It also establishes that EOs used as flavoring agents and on food products must be registered by the European Commission (EC) [105]. In addition, Regulation (EU) No. 872/2012 introduced a list of approved flavors, which is periodically reviewed and updated. Some of the main compounds identified in EOs, such as eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, and terpineol, have been found in this list [106]. In the United States, the FDA has accepted a wide range of EO components as flavoring agents in food products. Some of these substances are linalool, thymol, eugenol, carvone, cinnamaldehyde, vanilla, carvacrol, citral, ginger, tea tree, lavender, bay leaf, fennel, and limonene. In addition to these flavoring agents, the use of some raw EOs such as cloves, oregano, thyme, nutmeg, basil, mustard, and cinnamon are also registered and qualified as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). The use of these EOs and their components in food products must be approved by the FDA to ensure compliance with the accepted daily intake limit [107]. On the other hand, if EOs are included as an active substance in packaging meant to be in contact with food, they must adhere to other regulations, including Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 concerning materials and articles intended to come into contact with food [108] and Regulation (EC) No. 450/2009 regarding active and intelligent materials and articles intended to come into contact with food [109]. Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 does not directly address the use of EOs, but its application is relevant in situations where these oils are used in food packaging materials [108]. According to this Regulation, materials and objects intended to come into contact with food, including EOs, must comply with the following general principles [108]:  
1. It must not transfer its constituents in amounts that represent a danger to human health. 2. It must not unacceptably modify the composition, taste, smell, or texture of the food. 3. It must comply with good manufacturing practices. Therefore, manufacturers must ensure that the EOs used do not interact negatively with packaging or pose a risk to human health through the migration of components into food. For its part, Regulation (EC) No. 450/2009 defines active materials and objects as those intended to prolong the shelf life or to maintain or improve the condition of the packaged food [109]. They are designed to intentionally incorporate components that will release substances into the packaged food or its environment or absorb substances from the food or its environment [109]. This Regulation contemplates the guidelines established by Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 and establishes specific requirements on the use and authorization of materials that will be part of the active and intelligent packaging [109]. According to this regulation, the substances responsible for developing the active or intelligent function must undergo evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to ensure their safety. Once approved, they will be added to the list of authorized materials.