# 3-methylcyclohexanone

> Source URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/3-methylcyclohexanone
> Markdown URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/3-methylcyclohexanone.md

**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 591-24-2
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

3-methylcyclohexanone is a synthetic flavoring compound used to create herbal, minty, and woody flavor notes in food products. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA but may be used in certain flavor formulations in some jurisdictions.

## 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-methylcyclohexanone?

3-methylcyclohexanone is a synthetic organic compound classified as a ketone with the chemical formula C₇H₁₂O and CAS number 591-24-2. It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic herbal and minty odor. The compound is produced through chemical synthesis and is primarily used in the flavor industry to create complex flavor profiles that evoke natural herbal, woody, and cooling sensations.

## Common Uses

3-methylcyclohexanone is used as a flavoring agent or flavor adjuvant in the food industry. Its primary applications include:

- Beverage flavoring, particularly in herbal and mint-flavored drinks
- Confectionery and candy production
- Chewing gum formulations
- Ice cream and frozen dessert flavoring
- Savory food products where herbal notes are desired

The compound typically appears in flavor blends rather than as a standalone additive. Its aromatic properties make it useful for creating sophisticated flavor combinations that mimic natural herbal extracts. Typical use levels are very low, generally measured in parts per million in final food products.

## Safety Assessment

According to FDA records, there have been zero adverse events and zero recalls associated with 3-methylcyclohexanone. The compound is not currently on the FDA's Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) list, which means it has not undergone the formal GRAS notification process or received explicit FDA approval for use as a food additive in the United States.

Limited toxicological data exists specifically for 3-methylcyclohexanone in peer-reviewed literature. As a synthetic flavoring compound, safety assessment typically focuses on:

- Acute toxicity at exposure levels relevant to food use
- Chronic toxicity potential
- Genotoxicity and potential carcinogenic effects
- Metabolic fate in the human body

The lack of reported adverse events or regulatory recalls suggests that any exposure through food consumption has not raised safety concerns in practice. However, the absence of FDA GRAS status indicates the compound has not completed the formal safety review process required for unrestricted use as a food additive in the United States.

## Regulatory Status

3-methylcyclohexanone holds different regulatory positions across jurisdictions:

**United States:** Not approved as a food additive by the FDA and not listed as GRAS. However, it may be permissible in certain flavor formulations used in foods under the flavor industry's self-regulatory framework and supplier quality standards.

**European Union:** The regulatory status under EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) would need to be verified for specific approval or inclusion in flavor substance inventories.

**International:** The compound may have different approvals in other countries, particularly where flavor regulations are less stringent than in the United States.

The flavor industry often operates under supplier self-certification systems and third-party testing protocols to ensure safety of flavoring compounds even when they lack explicit FDA approval, particularly when used at extremely low concentrations.

## Key Studies

Specific published toxicological studies exclusively on 3-methylcyclohexanone are limited in the publicly available literature. Safety information for this compound would typically derive from:

- General ketone compound toxicity data
- Structural analogue studies
- Supplier safety dossiers submitted to industry databases
- FEMA (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association) GRAS evaluations, if available

The compound's chemical structure suggests metabolic pathways similar to other cyclic ketones, which are generally metabolized and eliminated efficiently by the human body. Without specific published studies, comprehensive risk assessment for regulatory approval purposes would require submission of proprietary toxicological data by the manufacturer or flavor supplier seeking approval status.

## 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-methylcyclohexanone — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/3-methylcyclohexanone. Accessed 2026-05-19.