# 3-nonanon-1-ol

> Source URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/3-nonanon-1-ol
> Markdown URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/3-nonanon-1-ol.md

**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 67801-46-1
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

3-Nonanone-1-ol is an organic flavoring compound used to create fruity and floral taste profiles in food products. It is not approved as a food additive by the FDA but may be used in flavoring 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-Nonanone-1-ol?

3-Nonanone-1-ol (CAS Number: 67801-46-1) is an aliphatic alcohol compound with nine carbon atoms. The compound is characterized by a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a carbon chain with a ketone functional group. It belongs to a class of organic compounds used primarily in the fragrance and flavoring industries to impart fruity and floral sensory characteristics to food and beverage products.

The compound is a colorless to pale yellow liquid at room temperature. As a flavoring agent, 3-nonanone-1-ol functions to enhance or modify the taste and aroma profile of food products by contributing fruity and floral notes.

## Common Uses

3-Nonanone-1-ol is primarily utilized in the formulation of complex flavoring compounds rather than as a standalone additive. Its main applications include:

- Beverage flavoring systems, particularly in alcoholic beverages
- Dairy product flavor enhancement
- Confectionery and bakery product flavoring
- Flavor compound development for processed foods

Because it is not FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe), its use in the United States food supply is limited or restricted. In other jurisdictions, such as within European Union frameworks, it may be permitted under certain flavor regulation systems that allow botanical-derived and synthetic flavoring compounds.

## Safety Assessment

3-Nonanone-1-ol has no reported adverse events to the FDA and zero associated recalls. This absence of documented safety incidents suggests the compound has not generated significant toxicological concerns in regulatory databases.

The compound's safety profile would typically be evaluated based on:
- Acute toxicity data in animal models
- Metabolic fate and degradation pathways
- Potential allergenicity or sensitization
- Genotoxicity and chronic exposure studies

However, the lack of FDA GRAS status indicates that complete safety documentation meeting FDA's stringent approval criteria has not been established or submitted. This does not necessarily indicate the compound is unsafe; rather, it reflects the regulatory pathway and approval history for this specific substance.

## Regulatory Status

3-Nonanone-1-ol is **not approved by the FDA** as a GRAS flavoring substance for use in the United States food supply. This means manufacturers cannot legally use it as a food additive in the U.S. without pre-market approval from the FDA.

The compound may be permitted in other regulatory jurisdictions, including the European Union, Japan, or other countries with different flavoring approval systems. Use of this additive would depend on country-specific food regulations and flavor authorization lists.

Manufacturers wishing to use 3-nonanone-1-ol in U.S. food products would need to either:
- Petition the FDA for GRAS determination
- Submit a food additive petition for pre-market approval
- Use it only in jurisdictions where it is specifically authorized

## Key Studies

Limited publicly available peer-reviewed literature specifically addresses 3-nonanone-1-ol as a food additive. Most scientific data on similar aliphatic alcohol compounds suggests they are readily metabolized by mammalian systems and do not accumulate in tissues.

The absence of FDA adverse events and recalls indicates no significant safety signals have emerged from regulatory monitoring. Additional toxicological data would be necessary to complete a comprehensive safety assessment for potential FDA approval.

Flavor compound safety is typically assessed using principles established by organizations such as the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association (FEMA) and the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), which employ threshold of toxicological concern (TTC) approaches for flavor ingredients.

## 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-nonanon-1-ol — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/3-nonanon-1-ol. Accessed 2026-05-19.