# 2-hydroxyacetophenone

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 118-93-4
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

2-Hydroxyacetophenone is an organic compound used as a flavoring agent in food products. It contributes aromatic and taste characteristics to various food and beverage formulations where permitted.

## 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 2-Hydroxyacetophenone?

2-Hydroxyacetophenone, also known as 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethanone, is an organic chemical compound with the CAS number 118-93-4. It belongs to the class of hydroxyketones and is characterized by a benzene ring with both a hydroxyl group (-OH) and an acetyl group (-COCH3) attached. The compound appears as a white to off-white crystalline solid with a distinctive aromatic odor.

This additive is classified as a flavoring agent or flavoring adjuvant in food applications. Flavoring agents are substances that contribute taste and aroma to food products without providing significant nutritional value.

## Common Uses

2-Hydroxyacetophenone is used in the flavor industry as a component in various flavoring formulations. Its aromatic profile makes it suitable for use in beverages, confectionery, baked goods, and other processed food products where flavor enhancement is desired.

Like many synthetic flavoring compounds, it is typically used in very small quantities—often in the parts per million (ppm) range—to achieve the desired sensory effect. The actual concentration used depends on the specific application and desired flavor intensity.

## Safety Assessment

According to FDA records, there have been no reported adverse events associated with 2-hydroxyacetophenone in the United States food supply, and no food recalls have been linked to this substance. This absence of adverse event reports suggests that the compound, when used as intended in food applications, has not caused documented harm to consumers.

The compound's safety profile should be considered in context of its intended use levels. Flavoring agents are typically employed at minimal concentrations, which reduces exposure levels significantly compared to bulk food components.

Toxicological data on this compound exists in the scientific literature, though comprehensive public health assessments specific to this substance in food applications are limited. The compound's chemical structure, containing both hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, places it within a class of organic compounds with generally recognized safety profiles when used appropriately.

## Regulatory Status

2-Hydroxyacetophenone is NOT listed as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. This designation means it has not undergone the formal GRAS affirmation process in the United States.

However, the absence of a GRAS determination does not necessarily indicate the substance is unsafe or prohibited. Some flavoring agents operate under different regulatory pathways, including those listed in the FDA's Generally Recognized as Safe Flavoring Ingredients database through other approval mechanisms.

Regulatory status varies internationally. Manufacturers using this substance must comply with applicable regulations in their specific markets and ensure proper documentation of use levels and safety justification where required.

In the European Union, flavoring substances are regulated under Regulation (EC) No. 1334/2008, which establishes specific criteria and procedures for approval. The regulatory landscape for this compound may differ between jurisdictions.

## Key Studies

While 2-hydroxyacetophenone has been studied in academic and industrial contexts, large-scale human health studies specifically examining this flavoring agent are not extensively published in mainstream scientific literature. Most safety information derives from chemical composition analysis, limited toxicological assessments, and the absence of consumer harm reports.

The compound's safety consideration relies partly on structural analogy to other hydroxylated aromatic compounds with established safety profiles, though each substance requires individual evaluation.

Manufacturers and regulatory bodies rely on a combination of chemical property data, limited toxicological studies, and real-world use experience to inform safety assessments of such flavoring agents.

## 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. "2-hydroxyacetophenone — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/2-hydroxyacetophenone. Accessed 2026-05-12.