# Benzaldehyde Propylene Glycol Acetal (E1520)

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**E-number:** E1520
**CAS number:** 2568-25-4
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Benzaldehyde Propylene Glycol Acetal (CAS 2568-25-4) is a synthetic flavoring agent used to impart almond and cherry flavors in food products. It functions as a flavoring adjuvant in various beverages, baked goods, and confectionery items.

## 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 Benzaldehyde Propylene Glycol Acetal?

Benzaldehyde Propylene Glycol Acetal is a synthetic organic compound created through the reaction of benzaldehyde with propylene glycol. This chemical combination produces a stable flavoring compound that delivers characteristic almond and cherry notes to food and beverage products. The compound exists as a clear to slightly yellow liquid with a distinctive aromatic profile.

The acetal structure provides chemical stability, which helps preserve the flavor compound during food processing, storage, and shelf life. This stability is a key advantage in commercial food manufacturing, where flavoring agents must withstand various pH levels, temperatures, and processing conditions.

## Common Uses

Benzaldehyde Propylene Glycol Acetal is utilized in the flavor industry as an adjuvant in various food categories, including:

- Alcoholic beverages and spirits
- Non-alcoholic flavored drinks
- Baked goods and pastries
- Confectionery and candy products
- Dairy-based desserts
- Frozen desserts

The compound typically appears in formulations at very low concentrations, measured in parts per million (ppm), reflecting the potent nature of the flavoring effect. Food manufacturers select this ingredient specifically to replicate natural almond and cherry flavor profiles that consumers recognize and prefer.

## Safety Assessment

Benzaldehyde Propylene Glycol Acetal has not received FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status, indicating that it does not have formal FDA affirmation as a food ingredient. However, this classification does not necessarily indicate safety concerns. Rather, it reflects that the compound may be regulated under different provisions or that formal GRAS petition processes have not been completed.

The FDA database records zero adverse events and zero product recalls associated with this additive, suggesting a historical safety profile without documented consumer harm or quality issues. This absence of adverse event reports indicates that if the compound is used in food products in the United States, it has not generated safety complaints or health-related concerns significant enough to trigger regulatory action or consumer reporting.

Propylene glycol, one of the primary components, is widely recognized as safe and appears in numerous FDA-approved food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products. The acetal formation with benzaldehyde creates a different chemical entity, but the use of established, recognized components suggests a relatively conservative safety profile.

## Regulatory Status

The regulatory status of Benzaldehyde Propylene Glycol Acetal varies internationally. In the European Union, flavoring substances are subject to the Flavourings Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008. Different regions maintain varying approval lists for synthetic flavoring agents, and international food manufacturers must comply with local regulations in each market where products are sold.

The absence of GRAS status in the United States means that its use would be subject to FDA food additive regulations rather than the GRAS exemption pathway. Food manufacturers utilizing this ingredient in U.S. products must ensure compliance with applicable FDA requirements for food additives or operate under specific regulatory frameworks that may apply.

## Key Studies

Specific published safety studies on Benzaldehyde Propylene Glycol Acetal are limited in publicly available scientific literature. The compound's safety assessment typically relies on structural similarity to benzaldehyde (which occurs naturally in small amounts in foods like almonds) and the well-documented safety profile of propylene glycol.

Benzaldehyde itself has a long history of use in flavoring applications and is recognized as having low acute toxicity. The propylene glycol acetal formation stabilizes the molecule without introducing novel toxicological concerns based on current knowledge of similar acetal compounds used in food flavoring.

The lack of adverse event reports and recalls in FDA databases over decades of potential use suggests that any safety concerns, if they exist, have not manifested as detectable public health issues. However, researchers and regulatory bodies continue to monitor synthetic flavoring agents for emerging safety data.

## Brands using Benzaldehyde Propylene Glycol Acetal

- Baker’s (1 product)
- Great Value (1 product)
- Molina (1 product)
- Nestle (1 product)

## 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. "Benzaldehyde Propylene Glycol Acetal (E1520) — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/benzaldehyde-propylene-glycol-acetal. Accessed 2026-05-19.