# Alpha-methylbenzyl Isobutyrate

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 7775-39-5
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Alpha-methylbenzyl isobutyrate is a synthetic flavoring compound used to impart fruity and floral notes in food products. It is not approved as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) 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 Alpha-methylbenzyl Isobutyrate?

Alpha-methylbenzyl isobutyrate (CAS Number: 7775-39-5) is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the ester family of flavor chemicals. It is composed of a methylbenzyl alcohol moiety esterified with isobutyric acid. This colorless to pale yellow liquid is characterized by a fruity, slightly floral aroma with subtle woody undertones, making it useful in flavor formulation for various food and beverage applications.

The compound is classified as a flavoring agent or flavor adjuvant, meaning it is used in very small quantities to enhance, modify, or create desired taste and aroma profiles in foods rather than provide nutritional value.

## Common Uses

Alpha-methylbenzyl isobutyrate is employed in the flavor industry to create complex flavor profiles in processed foods and beverages. Its primary applications include:

- Fruit-flavored beverages and drinks
- Confectionery and candy products
- Baked goods and desserts
- Savory snacks and seasonings
- Non-alcoholic flavored drinks
- Chewing gums

As with most synthetic flavor chemicals, it is used at extremely low concentrations—typically in the parts per million (ppm) range—to achieve the desired sensory effect without becoming the primary taste component.

## Safety Assessment

Alpha-methylbenzyl isobutyrate has not been formally reviewed and approved under the FDA's Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) program. However, this classification status does not necessarily indicate a safety concern; rather, it reflects that the compound has not undergone the formal GRAS petition and review process with the FDA.

The available data shows no reported adverse events or food recalls associated with this additive in the FDA's food safety databases. This absence of reported incidents suggests that if the compound is used in foods, it has not been linked to safety problems at typical use levels.

The compound is structurally related to other approved ester-based flavor chemicals, which have demonstrated acceptable safety profiles at their intended use levels. Ester compounds as a chemical class have been extensively studied, and many have been approved for food use by regulatory agencies worldwide.

## Regulatory Status

In the United States, alpha-methylbenzyl isobutyrate does not have FDA GRAS status. This means it cannot be used as a food additive in the U.S. under the presumption of safety that GRAS status provides. To legally use this ingredient in U.S. food products, it would require either:

1. Submission and approval of a GRAS petition to the FDA, or
2. Approval as a food additive through the formal FDA petition process

The regulatory status in other jurisdictions may vary. Some flavor compounds used in the European Union, for example, may have different approval pathways or restrictions compared to U.S. regulations. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) maintains separate lists of approved flavoring substances.

## Key Studies

Limited published scientific literature is readily available specifically on alpha-methylbenzyl isobutyrate in peer-reviewed databases. This is not uncommon for specialized flavor chemicals, which are often evaluated through proprietary industry studies and regulatory submissions rather than published academic research.

For regulatory approval, manufacturers typically conduct or commission toxicological studies including acute toxicity testing, mutagenicity assessments, and digestibility studies. These data are submitted as part of regulatory petitions but may not be published in the open literature.

Related research on structurally similar ester-based flavor compounds provides comparative safety information. The general toxicological profile of ester flavor chemicals suggests they are typically metabolized rapidly in the gastrointestinal tract and do not accumulate in body tissues at normal dietary exposure 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. "Alpha-methylbenzyl Isobutyrate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/alpha-methylbenzyl-isobutyrate. Accessed 2026-05-19.