Why Did Sarsaparilla Get Banned? The Sassafras Health Scare Explained

December 17, 2025 •

2 min read

In 1960, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned sassafras oil, the primary flavoring agent in most commercial sarsaparilla and root beer, after animal studies linked it to cancer. This pivotal health scare is the real reason why did sarsaparilla get banned, though the sarsaparilla plant itself was not the focus.

Quick Summary

The FDA banned sassafras oil in 1960 for commercial use due to findings that its main component, safrole, was carcinogenic in lab animals. This regulatory action, driven by health concerns, effectively removed the traditional flavor from American root beers and sarsaparillas.

Key Points

Sassafras Not Sarsaparilla: The government ban targeted sassafras oil, not the sarsaparilla plant itself, though the names were often conflated in beverage recipes.
Carcinogen Link: The FDA banned sassafras oil in 1960 after studies showed that its component, safrole, caused liver cancer in lab animals.
Precautionary Principle: The ban was implemented under the Delaney Clause, which mandated the prohibition of food additives proven to be carcinogenic, even if the risk to humans was debatable.
Modern Replacements: Commercial producers adapted by using artificial sassafras flavoring or safrole-free extracts to maintain the familiar taste profile.
MDMA Precursor Theory: The theory that sassafras was banned due to its use as an MDMA precursor is historically inaccurate, as the FDA action predated widespread MDMA concerns.
Regulatory Impact: The ban forever changed the landscape of American soft drinks, forcing a shift towards standardized, safe flavorings over traditional botanical ingredients.

The Case of Mistaken Identity: Sarsaparilla vs. Sassafras

Many consumers ask, "Why did sarsaparilla get banned?" but the root of the issue lies with a completely different plant: sassafras. While genuine sarsaparilla comes from the Smilax vine and is native to Central America, the popular American beverage known as sarsaparilla was historically flavored with the root bark of the Sassafras albidum tree, native to North America. The taste profiles of the two were similar enough that the name was often used interchangeably. The FDA's ban targeted sassafras, not the actual sarsaparilla plant.

The Sassafras Problem

Flavoring Agent: Sassafras oil was used for its distinct flavor in sodas like root beer and sarsaparilla.
Medicinal Uses: It was also used in folk medicine.
The Carcinogen: Sassafras oil contains a compound called safrole.

The FDA Ban and the Safrole Scare

Research in the 1950s and 1960s found that high doses of safrole caused liver cancer in laboratory rats. Under the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1958, which required banning food additives found to cause cancer, the FDA prohibited sassafras oil and safrole in mass-produced foods and medications in 1960. This ban forced the beverage industry to change, leading companies to use artificial sassafras flavorings or safrole-free extracts to replicate the taste.

A Comparison of Traditional vs. Modern Formulations


Feature	Traditional Sassafras-Based Brew	Modern Sarsaparilla/Root Beer
Key Flavoring	Sassafras root bark (containing safrole)	Artificial sassafras flavor, safrole-free sassafras extract, or other botanicals
Potential Health Risk	High concentration of safrole, linked to cancer in animal studies	Generally safe, meeting FDA regulations
Origin	North American sassafras tree	Primarily uses Smilax vine extracts or other flavorings
Taste Profile	Earthy, spicy, and sometimes more medicinal	Often sweeter, creamier, and more consistent due to standardized flavorings

The MDMA Precursor Theory

Some theories suggest the ban was due to safrole's use in MDMA production. However, the 1960 FDA ban predates MDMA being a controlled substance in 1985. While modern restrictions consider its drug potential, the initial ban was driven by carcinogenic findings.

Re-evaluating the Risk

Later research, like a study from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, questioned the high dosages used in the 1960s animal studies and noted that humans metabolize safrole differently than rats. Despite this, the FDA has not lifted the ban on safrole as a food additive, maintaining a precautionary stance. Genuine sarsaparilla root is still available, but safrole-containing sassafras oil remains prohibited for commercial food use.

Conclusion: A Regulatory Shift, Not a Total Ban

The question "why did sarsaparilla get banned?" highlights a significant moment in food safety history, where the focus was on sassafras, not sarsaparilla. The ban, caused by the discovery of the carcinogen safrole, led to changes in the beverage industry, resulting in the artificial flavors and safrole-free extracts used today. This event demonstrates the impact of food safety regulations on our cultural food landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, the ban was not on sarsaparilla, but on sassafras oil, which was the key flavoring agent in most commercial sarsaparilla and root beer sold in the U.S. at the time. Authentic sarsaparilla root is still available today.

Sarsaparilla is a vine native to tropical regions, while sassafras is a tree native to North America. Although often used interchangeably for beverages, they are different plants. Sassafras oil, containing the compound safrole, is what the FDA banned.

The FDA banned sassafras oil in 1960 after studies found that its main component, safrole, caused liver cancer in lab animals. This triggered the Delaney Clause of the Food Additives Amendment, leading to its prohibition as a food additive.

No, modern commercial root beer in the U.S. does not contain sassafras oil. Manufacturers use artificial sassafras flavorings or safrole-free extracts, blended with other spices like vanilla and licorice root, to replicate the original flavor.

Yes, safrole is found in very low concentrations in other spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, and black pepper, which are deemed safe for consumption. The concern with sassafras was its much higher concentration of the compound.

Yes, authentic sarsaparilla root and supplements can be purchased from herbalists and health food stores. The ban specifically targeted sassafras oil for commercial food production, not the consumption of the sarsaparilla plant.

The primary reason for the 1960 ban was the discovery of safrole's carcinogenic properties. The connection to MDMA (ecstasy) was not the cause, though modern restrictions on safrole sales are influenced by its potential for illicit drug manufacturing.