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Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil suppliers and sourcing guide

Peppermint oil is the essential oil steam-distilled from the leaves and flowering tops of peppermint, Mentha x piperita. The US Pacific Northwest and Midwest and India are major origins. Crude oil is usually redistilled (rectified) to remove harsh top and bottom notes and to bring menthol, menthone and other components into a target range, and it is used in confectionery, chewing gum, oral care, teas and supplements.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Mentha piperita oil · Mentha x piperita · Oil of peppermint · CAS 8006-90-4
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of peppermint oil

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Natural (once-distilled)

    Oil as it comes from the field still, with more variation in odor and color.

  • Rectified

    Redistilled single, double or triple rectified oil, cleaner in odor and more consistent lot to lot.

  • Origin grades

    Named regional grades (for example Willamette or Yakima) with distinct profiles, priced accordingly.

  • Organic

    Certified organic peppermint oil from organic farms.

  • Encapsulated

    Oil spray-dried or microencapsulated on a carrier for dry mixes and tablets.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

GC profile
Gas chromatography of menthol, menthone, isomenthone, menthyl acetate, menthofuran, pulegone and other markers against the specification.
Physical constants
Specific gravity, refractive index and optical rotation at a stated temperature, compared with the supplier's specification or the Food Chemicals Codex monograph where one exists.
Adulteration screen
Chiral GC or GC profile checks for cornmint oil (Mentha arvensis) or added synthetic menthol, the common cheaper substitutes.
Appearance and odor
Color, clarity and odor against a retained standard; off-notes often show up before the GC profile shifts.
Heavy metals
Lead and arsenic, typically by ICP-MS, against the supplier's specification.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep the oil in full, tightly closed amber glass, aluminum or lined steel containers, cool and out of light; headspace air oxidizes terpenes and dulls the odor. Blanket partly used drums with nitrogen where possible. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older stock is usually retested for odor, peroxide value and GC profile before use.

Lots and expiry dates

Profile varies by growing region, season and rectification, especially menthofuran and menthone levels. Record the GC profile and grade per lot, and keep a retained sample for odor comparison when changing lots.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

  • 21 CFR 182.20 lists peppermint (Mentha piperita) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.

    Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists peppermint oil (CAS 8006-90-4) with the technical effects color or coloring adjunct and flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 172.230 and 182.20.

    Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)

  • Health Canada's peppermint natural health product monograph lists peppermint essential oil from the leaf of Mentha x piperita, prepared by water steam distillation.

    Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Peppermint oil suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking peppermint oil suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

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Frequently asked questions

What forms of peppermint oil can brands buy?

Common forms include natural (once-distilled), rectified, origin grades, organic and encapsulated. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for peppermint oil include?

Expect gC profile, physical constants, adulteration screen, appearance and odor and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should peppermint oil be stored?

Keep the oil in full, tightly closed amber glass, aluminum or lined steel containers, cool and out of light; headspace air oxidizes terpenes and dulls the odor. Blanket partly used drums with nitrogen where possible. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older stock is usually retested for odor, peroxide value and GC profile before use.

What is the regulatory status of peppermint oil?

21 CFR 182.20 lists peppermint (Mentha piperita) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists peppermint oil (CAS 8006-90-4) with the technical effects color or coloring adjunct and flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 172.230 and 182.20. Health Canada's peppermint natural health product monograph lists peppermint essential oil from the leaf of Mentha x piperita, prepared by water steam distillation.

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