The Story of Sassafras and Safrole
The history of root beer is deeply intertwined with the sassafras tree (Sassafras albidum), native to eastern North America. For centuries, indigenous peoples used sassafras root bark for medicinal teas and flavorful tonics. European settlers adopted this practice, leading to the development of early root beer recipes that used sassafras for its characteristic sweet and earthy aroma. However, this tradition came to an abrupt halt for commercial products in the 1960s.
The ban was triggered by scientific studies conducted on laboratory animals, primarily rats and mice. When fed high oral doses of sassafras tea or sassafras oil, the animals developed permanent liver damage and various forms of cancer. The culprit was identified as safrole, the major constituent of sassafras oil extracted from the root bark. As a result, the FDA prohibited the use of safrole and sassafras oil in all commercially mass-produced food and drugs. The European Commission on Health and consumer protection also assumes safrole to be genotoxic and carcinogenic.
The Safety of Modern Root Beer
For consumers today, there is no need to worry about the safety of commercial root beer. Following the FDA's 1960 ban, manufacturers were forced to reformulate their recipes. Most companies now use a combination of artificial and natural flavorings to replicate the classic sassafras taste without any of the associated health risks. These alternative flavor compounds are rigorously tested and approved for human consumption.
Furthermore, for companies that still wish to use a sassafras-based flavoring, a special extraction process is used. This method, often referred to as 'safrole-free sassafras extract,' distills and removes the potentially harmful safrole compound while preserving the desired aromatic qualities. This means that even root beers claiming to use natural sassafras are safe for consumption, as the hazardous component has been neutralized.
The Dangers of Homemade Sassafras Brews
While modern commercial root beer is safe, creating homemade versions using raw sassafras root or bark is a different matter entirely. Without industrial processing, there is no way to guarantee the removal of safrole. The concentration of safrole in sassafras essential oil can be very high, and even small amounts can be dangerous. Some sources indicate that consuming just 5 mL of sassafras oil could be fatal for an adult. Side effects of safrole poisoning can include:
- Vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Liver damage
It is strongly advised against brewing homemade root beer with unprocessed sassafras root or bark. For those interested in home brewing, it is crucial to use commercially prepared, certified safrole-free sassafras extracts or other safe, alternative flavorings. The presence of safrole also makes raw sassafras a controlled substance due to its use as a precursor in the illicit manufacture of MDMA (ecstasy).
Commercial vs. Traditional Sassafras Root Beer
| Aspect | Modern Commercial Root Beer | Traditional (Unprocessed) Sassafras Root Beer |
|---|---|---|
| Sassafras Content | Uses safrole-free extract or artificial flavorings. | Contains sassafras oil, which has high concentrations of safrole. |
| Safrole Content | None, or below regulated trace amounts. | High concentration, potentially at dangerous levels. |
| Legality | Legal and widely available in stores. | Illegal for commercial mass-production due to FDA ban. |
| Safety | Considered safe for consumption. | Considered unsafe and potentially carcinogenic due to safrole. |
| Manufacturing | Mass-produced with controlled ingredients. | Typically homemade or artisanal, without safrole removal. |
| Flavor Consistency | Highly consistent due to synthetic or processed extracts. | Variable, depending on the specific root and preparation method. |
Conclusion: Navigating Sassafras Safely
The definitive answer to whether real sassafras root beer is safe to drink depends entirely on how it is prepared. Commercially sold root beers are overwhelmingly safe because they contain either no sassafras or use a safrole-free extract. The FDA's ban in 1960 on the use of sassafras oil in commercial products effectively eliminated the health risks for the general public. However, individuals should exercise extreme caution and avoid using raw sassafras root or bark for homemade preparations. The inherent risk from the carcinogenic compound safrole makes unprocessed sassafras a dangerous ingredient for unsupervised home brewing. For those curious about the original flavor, using a professionally produced, safrole-free extract is the only safe way to experience it. For more detailed information on the health risks associated with sassafras, refer to authoritative sources like the National Library of Medicine or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
The Use of Safrole in Other Contexts
- Other Plants and Spices: While often associated with sassafras, safrole is also found naturally in smaller amounts in other spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper. However, these are not banned due to the significantly lower concentration and quantity consumed in typical use. The FDA's action targeted concentrated sassafras oil.
- Illicit Drug Production: Due to safrole's use as a precursor chemical, sassafras oil and its derivatives are often monitored by drug enforcement agencies. This has further limited the availability of unprocessed sassafras products.
- Filé Powder: The ground-up leaves of the sassafras tree, known as filé powder, are used as a thickener and flavoring in Cajun cuisine. The leaves do not contain significant levels of safrole and are considered safe for this culinary purpose.
- Historical Uses: Before the health concerns were widely known, sassafras oil was also used in perfumes, soaps, and traditional medicines. These applications have also been discontinued in commercial products due to the risks associated with safrole exposure.
