# 2-methylbutyric Acid

> Source URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/2-methylbutyric-acid
> Markdown URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/2-methylbutyric-acid.md

**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 116-53-0
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

2-methylbutyric acid is an organic carboxylic acid used as a flavoring agent in food products. It occurs naturally in some foods and provides a fruity, cheese-like aroma in small quantities.

## 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-methylbutyric Acid?

2-methylbutyric acid, also known as 2-methylbutanoic acid, is a short-chain carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C5H10O2 (CAS Number 116-53-0). It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic pungent, fruity odor often described as apple-like or cheese-like. The compound occurs naturally in small quantities in various foods including fruits, vegetables, and fermented products.

## Common Uses

In the food industry, 2-methylbutyric acid functions primarily as a flavoring agent and flavor adjuvant. It is used in very small quantities to enhance or modify the flavor profiles of processed foods. Common applications include dairy products, baked goods, beverages, confectionery, and savory snacks. The acid contributes fruity and slightly tangy notes that enhance the sensory appeal of products. Because it occurs naturally in foods, it is sometimes considered part of natural flavor systems, though synthetic versions are also produced for food use.

## Safety Assessment

The FDA has recorded zero adverse events and zero recalls associated with 2-methylbutyric acid. However, the compound has not received GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status from the FDA, which means it does not have formal regulatory approval in the United States for direct use as a food additive. This status does not indicate a safety concern but rather reflects that formal safety dossiers and approvals were not pursued or completed through FDA channels.

The compound has not been the subject of significant safety concerns in published scientific literature. As a short-chain organic acid, its toxicological profile is consistent with other similar compounds used in food flavoring. Exposure levels through food consumption are typically minimal, measured in parts per million in finished food products.

Unlike some flavor compounds, 2-methylbutyric acid does not appear on lists of banned or restricted substances in major regulatory jurisdictions. It has been evaluated as part of natural flavor composition assessments in various countries.

## Regulatory Status

In the United States, while not GRAS-approved, 2-methylbutyric acid can be used as a food additive under FDA regulations for flavoring purposes, though with limited direct regulatory oversight compared to approved additives. In the European Union, it is listed in the FLAVIS database (Flavor Information System) as a flavor substance. Different countries maintain varying regulatory frameworks for flavor chemicals, and approval status may differ by region.

Because it does not have formal U.S. GRAS status, manufacturers using 2-methylbutyric acid should verify current regulations with the FDA and may need to document its use as a food ingredient according to applicable food labeling requirements.

## Key Studies

Limited published clinical or toxicological studies specifically examine 2-methylbutyric acid in isolation. The compound's safety assessment generally relies on structural similarity to approved short-chain carboxylic acids, its occurrence in nature, and the absence of adverse reports in decades of food industry use. As a natural constituent of foods and a component of microbial metabolism, it has likely been present in human diets throughout history at low levels.

Research on short-chain fatty acids and organic acids more broadly supports the safety of these compounds at food use levels. The pungent odor and flavor characteristics of 2-methylbutyric acid itself serve as natural limiting factors for its use, as excessive quantities would be organoleptically unacceptable in food products.

## 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-methylbutyric Acid — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/2-methylbutyric-acid. Accessed 2026-05-19.