PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an agent and to provide method for inhibiting the formation of a citral-derived degradation odor while keeping high safety without affecting the taste inherent in a product to thereby overcome the problem that citral in a citral-containing product changes it structure by reactions such as cyclization, hydration, and isomerization in the steps of production, distribution, storage, or the like, and undergoes oxidation, to emit strong degradation odor of p-cresol, p-methylacetophenone, or the like. SOLUTION: This agent for inhibiting the formation of degradation odor contains epigallocatechin or a combination of epigallocatechin and epigallocatechin gallate and/or epicatechin.
