# 1-buten-1-yl Methyl Sulfide

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 32951-19-2
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

1-buten-1-yl Methyl Sulfide is an organic sulfur compound used as a flavoring agent in food products. It imparts savory, meaty, and sulfurous taste notes and is employed in small quantities to enhance the sensory profile of processed foods.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | not_evaluated |
| Canada | not_evaluated |
| Australia | not_evaluated |
| Japan | not_evaluated |
| South Korea | not_evaluated |
| Brazil | not_evaluated |
| China | not_evaluated |
| India | not_evaluated |

## Detailed analysis

## What is 1-buten-1-yl Methyl Sulfide?

1-buten-1-yl Methyl Sulfide (CAS Number: 32951-19-2) is an organic volatile compound belonging to the sulfide chemical family. Structurally, it consists of a butenyl group attached to a methyl sulfide moiety. This compound is one of many organosulfur compounds used in the flavor industry to create complex taste profiles. Like many sulfur-containing flavor compounds, it naturally occurs in trace amounts in foods such as cooked meats, roasted vegetables, and fermented products.

## Common Uses

This flavoring agent is primarily used in the food industry to enhance the savory and meaty characteristics of processed foods. Common applications include:

- Meat and poultry products (processed meats, meat analogs, broths)
- Savory snacks and seasonings
- Processed soups and sauces
- Flavor premixes and seasonings for convenience foods
- Savory dairy products

Due to its potent aroma and taste properties, it is typically used in very small concentrations—measured in parts per million (ppm)—to achieve the desired sensory effect without overwhelming other flavor components.

## Safety Assessment

The safety profile of 1-buten-1-yl Methyl Sulfide is characterized by limited but available data:

**FDA Status**: This compound has not been designated as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. This designation does not indicate a safety concern but rather reflects that comprehensive safety dossiers meeting GRAS notification standards have not been submitted to the agency.

**Adverse Events**: The FDA has recorded zero adverse events associated with this additive, indicating no consumer complaints or reported health incidents have been officially documented.

**Recalls**: No food recalls have been associated with this flavoring agent, suggesting it has not been identified as a contamination or safety risk in commercial food products.

**Toxicological Considerations**: As an organosulfur compound used in minute quantities, the primary safety considerations are typical for volatile flavoring agents: potential respiratory sensitization in manufacturing environments and potential allergic responses in susceptible individuals. However, systematic toxicological studies specifically evaluating this compound's safety profile appear limited in the published literature.

## Regulatory Status

1-buten-1-yl Methyl Sulfide operates in a regulatory gray area in many jurisdictions:

- **United States**: Not GRAS-listed; manufacturers using this ingredient must ensure it complies with FDA regulations for food additives, or it may be used under prior sanctioned status or as part of a proprietary flavoring blend where individual components are not disclosed.
- **European Union**: This compound would fall under flavorings regulations (EC 1334/2008), though specific approval status should be verified against the Union List of Flavoring Substances.
- **Other Markets**: Regulatory status varies by country; many nations reference FEMA GRAS or other international flavor organization assessments.

## Key Studies

Scientific literature specifically evaluating 1-buten-1-yl Methyl Sulfide is limited. The compound has primarily been studied within the context of:

- **Flavor Chemistry Research**: Identification and characterization in natural food products and thermal processing studies
- **Sensory Analysis**: Organoleptic properties and threshold detection values in food matrices
- **General Sulfide Safety**: Broader research on organosulfur flavor compounds provides contextual safety information

The lack of extensive published safety data reflects both the compound's niche use in food flavoring and the proprietary nature of flavor industry research. Safety assessments by flavor manufacturers and trade organizations (such as FEMA's Expert Panel on Flavoring Substances) may exist but are not always publicly available.

Consumers should note that flavoring agents approved or used in food are typically present at levels far below those that would cause acute toxicological effects, with safety margins built into regulatory allowances.

## Sources

- FDA Substances Added to Food (CFSAN)
- OpenFDA Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS)
- OpenFDA Food Recalls
- EFSA OpenFoodTox
- EU Food Additive Portal

## Citation

Additive Facts. "1-buten-1-yl Methyl Sulfide — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/1-buten-1-yl-methyl-sulfide. Accessed 2026-05-12.