# Cinnamyl Acetate

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 103-54-8
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Cinnamyl acetate is an organic compound (CAS 103-54-8) used as a flavoring agent in food products to provide cinnamon and spice-like notes. It is a naturally occurring ester found in cinnamon oil and is employed in small quantities to enhance flavor profiles in various food and beverage applications.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | not_evaluated |
| Canada | approved |
| Australia | not_evaluated |
| Japan | not_evaluated |
| South Korea | not_evaluated |
| Brazil | not_evaluated |
| China | not_evaluated |
| India | not_evaluated |

## Detailed analysis

## What is Cinnamyl Acetate?

Cinnamyl acetate is an organic ester compound with the molecular formula C11H12O2. It occurs naturally in cinnamon oil and other plant sources, and can also be synthesized for use as a food flavoring agent. The compound is characterized by a warm, spicy aroma reminiscent of cinnamon and is typically used in trace amounts to achieve desired flavor effects in food products.

## Common Uses

Cinnamyl acetate is employed as a flavoring agent in a variety of food and beverage products. It is commonly used in:

- Baked goods and confectionery items
- Beverages including soft drinks and flavored waters
- Desserts and sweet preparations
- Spice blends and seasoning mixes
- Fragrance-adjacent food applications

The compound is valued by food manufacturers for its ability to provide authentic cinnamon flavor characteristics at lower concentrations compared to some alternative flavoring approaches. Its use is typically limited to very small quantities (parts per million range) to achieve the desired sensory effect.

## Safety Assessment

Cinnamyl acetate has no reported adverse events in FDA records and no associated product recalls. The compound's safety profile is supported by its natural occurrence in cinnamon and related spice sources, which have been consumed for centuries in human diets.

Toxicological data on cinnamyl acetate is limited in the published literature, which is common for many minor food flavoring components. The absence of significant safety concerns in regulatory databases and the lack of adverse event reports suggest the compound does not present obvious safety hazards at typical usage levels in food.

As with most flavoring agents, cinnamyl acetate is used at very low concentrations in food products, which further reduces potential exposure concerns. The actual intake of this compound through typical food consumption would be minimal.

## Regulatory Status

Cinnamyl acetate is not currently listed on the FDA's Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list. However, this designation does not indicate the substance is unsafe; rather, it reflects that formal GRAS status has not been established through the standard FDA petition and review process.

The compound may be used in foods under FDA regulations as a flavoring agent, though manufacturers must ensure proper documentation and safety justification for its use. Different regulatory jurisdictions may have varying approval statuses for this ingredient.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and other international regulatory bodies maintain separate assessments of food flavoring agents. Manufacturers exporting products containing cinnamyl acetate should verify compliance with the specific regulatory requirements of their target markets.

## Key Studies

Published scientific literature specifically examining cinnamyl acetate's safety in food applications is limited. Most information about this compound derives from:

- General toxicological databases and chemical safety summaries
- Natural occurrence data from cinnamon and botanical sources
- Regulatory precedent for similar flavoring esters
- Historical use patterns in the flavor industry

The lack of extensive clinical or epidemiological studies on cinnamyl acetate is typical for minor food flavoring components, which are generally considered low-priority for intensive research given their minimal dietary exposure levels and historical safety profiles.

Further research would be needed to establish formal GRAS status or to conduct comprehensive toxicological assessments, should regulatory agencies or manufacturers determine such studies to be necessary.

## 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. "Cinnamyl Acetate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/cinnamyl-acetate. Accessed 2026-05-19.