# 4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 19872-52-7
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone is a synthetic flavoring compound used to impart meat, roasted, and savory notes in food products. It is not approved as a GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) substance by the FDA but has not been associated with adverse events or recalls.

## 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 4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone?

4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone (CAS Number: 19872-52-7) is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the class of flavor compounds known as thiols or mercaptans. These are volatile sulfur-containing molecules that contribute distinctive aromatic characteristics to foods. The compound contains a sulfhydryl group (-SH), which is responsible for its characteristic sensory properties. It is typically used in very small quantities in food applications due to its potent aromatic profile.

## Common Uses

This flavoring agent is primarily employed in the food industry to create or enhance savory, meaty, and roasted flavor profiles. It may be used in processed meat products, soups, broths, gravies, and savory snack seasonings. The compound is also utilized in certain cheese flavors and cooked meat-like flavoring systems. Like most synthetic flavoring compounds, it is used at trace levels—typically in the parts per million range—where it contributes to overall flavor complexity without being detectable as an individual ingredient to consumers.

## Safety Assessment

According to FDA records, there have been zero adverse events and zero recalls associated with 4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone. The absence of reported adverse events suggests that the compound, when used at typical flavoring concentrations, has not been linked to consumer health complaints or safety concerns significant enough to warrant FDA action.

However, it is important to note that this compound does not carry GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status from the FDA. GRAS status is a specific regulatory designation indicating that a substance is considered safe for use in food based on extensive scientific evidence and expert consensus. The lack of GRAS status does not necessarily indicate that a substance is unsafe; rather, it may reflect that formal safety documentation and expert evaluation through the GRAS notification process have not been completed or submitted to the FDA.

The sulfur-containing nature of this compound means it should be handled and stored appropriately to maintain product stability and sensory quality. Like other volatile flavor compounds, it may be susceptible to degradation under heat, light, or oxidative conditions.

## Regulatory Status

4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone does not have FDA GRAS approval. This means it cannot be marketed as a GRAS substance and would typically require food additive petition approval or clearance before use in the United States, depending on the specific application and regulatory pathway. Some synthetic flavoring compounds operate under FDA Color Additives or Food Additives regulations without GRAS status.

The regulatory status of this compound may vary internationally. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) maintains its own approval processes for flavoring substances, and approval in one jurisdiction does not automatically confer approval in another.

## Key Studies

Limited published scientific literature is readily available on 4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone specifically, which is typical for synthetic flavoring compounds used at extremely low concentrations. Flavor compounds in this class are generally evaluated for safety through a combination of structural activity relationships, toxicological data on similar compounds, and intended-use exposure levels.

The International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IOFI) maintains standards and safety assessments for flavor compounds, and many synthetic flavoring agents undergo evaluation through established flavor safety frameworks. The absence of adverse event reports and regulatory recalls provides empirical evidence that any risks associated with this compound, if used as intended, appear to be minimal at typical food use levels.

## 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. "4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/4-mercapto-4-methyl-2-pentanone. Accessed 2026-05-19.