# 5-methylfurfurylmercaptan

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 59303-05-8
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

5-methylfurfurylmercaptan (CAS 59303-05-8) is an organosulfur compound used as a flavoring agent in food products. It imparts savory, meaty, and roasted notes and is employed in small quantities to enhance the flavor profile of 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 5-methylfurfurylmercaptan?

5-methylfurfurylmercaptan is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the class of furan derivatives with a sulfur-containing thiol group. Its chemical structure consists of a methylated furan ring attached to a mercaptan (thiol) functional group. This compound is classified as a flavoring agent or flavoring adjuvant in food applications. The presence of the sulfur atom is responsible for its characteristic savory, meaty, roasted, and slightly sulfurous aromatic properties.

## Common Uses

This flavoring compound is utilized primarily in the food industry to enhance or modify the taste profile of various processed foods. Common applications include:

- Meat and poultry flavored products
- Savory snacks and seasonings
- Soups and broths
- Processed meat products
- Gravy and sauce formulations
- Ready-to-eat meal components

Typically, 5-methylfulfurylmercaptan is used in very small concentrations, often in the parts per million (ppm) range, as a component of complex flavoring systems rather than as a standalone ingredient. It is frequently combined with other flavor compounds to achieve desired taste complexity.

## Safety Assessment

According to available FDA records, there are no reported adverse events associated with 5-methylfurfurylmercaptan, and no product recalls have been initiated due to this ingredient. The compound has not been formally approved under the FDA's Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) program, meaning it has not undergone the specific GRAS notification and approval process.

Limited published toxicological data exists for this specific compound in scientific literature. Like many synthetic flavoring agents used in minimal quantities, its safety profile is generally considered acceptable for use as a food flavoring when employed at typical consumption levels. The lack of reported adverse events in FDA databases suggests no significant safety concerns have emerged from its use in the food supply.

As a furan derivative, 5-methylfurfurylmercaptan belongs to a chemical family that has been studied for various properties. Furan-based compounds are known to undergo thermal degradation and chemical reactions during food processing and storage, which is considered in safety assessments of flavor compounds.

## Regulatory Status

5-methylfurfurylmercaptan is not listed on the FDA's GRAS list, indicating it has not completed the formal GRAS notification process. However, this does not necessarily indicate a safety concern; rather, it reflects that either:

- The manufacturer has not pursued GRAS status through formal FDA notification
- The compound may be used under FDA regulations for food additives with appropriate approvals
- It may be used in flavoring preparations that are themselves regulated

The compound is regulated as a food additive flavoring agent and must comply with current FDA regulations regarding food additives, including purity and quality standards. Its regulatory status may vary in other countries and regions, with some having specific approvals or listings for this substance in flavoring applications.

## Key Studies

Published scientific literature specifically focused on 5-methylfurfurylmercaptan is limited. Most information regarding this compound comes from:

- Industry technical data sheets and flavor supplier documentation
- General toxicological assessments of furan-derivative compounds
- Flavor chemistry and sensory analysis literature
- FDA regulatory files and FEMA (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association) submissions

The FEMA panel and other flavor industry bodies have assessed various methylfurfuryl mercaptan isomers and similar compounds. Broader research on sulfur-containing flavor compounds demonstrates that mercaptans are metabolized and excreted efficiently when consumed in typical dietary amounts associated with food flavoring.

Research on chemically similar furan and mercaptan compounds supports the general safety of such molecules when used at the minimal levels characteristic of food flavoring applications.

## 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. "5-methylfurfurylmercaptan — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/5-methylfurfurylmercaptan. Accessed 2026-05-19.