# 3-(5-methyl-2-furyl)-butanal

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 31704-80-0
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

3-(5-methyl-2-furyl)-butanal is a synthetic flavoring compound used to enhance and create specific taste profiles in food products. It belongs to the class of furan derivatives and functions as both a flavoring agent and flavor enhancer in 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 3-(5-methyl-2-furyl)-butanal?

3-(5-methyl-2-furyl)-butanal, identified by CAS Number 31704-80-0, is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the furan family of flavor compounds. Its chemical structure consists of a furyl ring (a five-membered aromatic ring containing oxygen) with a methyl substituent, attached to a butanal chain. This structural arrangement contributes to its distinctive aromatic and flavoring properties.

The compound is produced through chemical synthesis rather than extracted from natural sources, making it a synthetic flavoring agent. It is typically used in very small concentrations in food formulations, as is common with potent flavoring compounds.

## Common Uses

3-(5-methyl-2-furyl)-butanal is utilized in the food industry primarily as a flavoring agent and flavor enhancer. Its applications include:

- Savory food products, particularly those intended to have meat-like, roasted, or cooked notes
- Processed meat products and meat-flavored snacks
- Soups, broths, and savory seasonings
- Cheese and dairy-flavored products
- Baked goods requiring enhanced savory profiles

The compound is valued in food formulation for its ability to provide complex, developed flavor notes that enhance the perception of taste and aroma in finished products. Like other furan-based flavor compounds, it contributes warm, toasted, and umami-like characteristics.

## Safety Assessment

The safety profile of 3-(5-methyl-2-furyl)-butanal is limited but not alarming. According to FDA records, there have been zero reported adverse events associated with this additive, and no recalls have been issued involving this compound. This absence of reported incidents does not necessarily indicate comprehensive safety data, but rather indicates no documented consumer harm complaints.

The compound has not been granted Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status by the FDA, which means it does not have the streamlined approval pathway available to some food additives. However, this status does not indicate that the compound is unsafe; rather, it indicates that the additive either has not undergone the GRAS notification process or lacks sufficient historical use documentation in the United States to qualify for this designation.

As a synthetic flavoring agent, the compound would be subject to FDA regulations under Title 21 CFR Part 182, which governs synthetic flavorings used in food. Use levels in food products are typically limited to the minimum necessary to achieve desired flavoring effects, generally in the parts per million (ppm) range.

## Regulatory Status

In the United States, 3-(5-methyl-2-furyl)-butanal is not listed on the FDA's GRAS list and does not have explicit FDA pre-market approval as a food additive. However, it may be used under FDA regulations if it complies with applicable synthetic flavoring regulations and maximum use levels established by the flavor industry's self-regulatory body, the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association (FEMA).

FEMA maintains the GRAS List of Flavoring Substances, which includes many compounds that have undergone expert panel review for safety. The regulatory approach reflects the traditional use and safety assessment practices within the flavoring industry.

International regulatory status varies; the compound may have different approval statuses in the European Union, Japan, and other regulatory jurisdictions with their own flavor additive approval processes.

## Key Studies

Specific published scientific studies directly examining the toxicity or safety of 3-(5-methyl-2-furyl)-butanal are limited in the publicly available literature. Safety assessments of similar furan-based flavoring compounds and structurally related aldehydes provide some supportive evidence for the general safety of this class of compounds when used at typical flavoring levels.

General toxicological principles and structure-activity relationship (SAR) analyses suggest that furan derivatives used in flavoring typically present minimal risk when used in appropriate quantities. The absence of reported adverse events and regulatory action indicates either acceptable safety or minimal market presence.

## 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. "3-(5-methyl-2-furyl)-butanal — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/3-5-methyl-2-furyl-butanal. Accessed 2026-05-11.