# Cis-3-hexenyl Lactate

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 61931-81-5
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Cis-3-hexenyl lactate is a synthetic flavoring compound that mimics fresh, green, and herbaceous notes found naturally in plants. It is used in food and beverage products to enhance or create desirable flavor profiles.

## 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 Cis-3-hexenyl Lactate?

Cis-3-hexenyl lactate (CAS Number: 61931-81-5) is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the class of flavor and fragrance chemicals. Structurally, it is an ester formed from cis-3-hexenol and lactic acid. The compound is used primarily in the food industry as a flavoring agent or flavor adjuvant to impart or enhance fresh, green, leafy, and slightly fruity notes in food and beverage products.

## Common Uses

Cis-3-hexenyl lactate is employed in various food applications where fresh or herbaceous flavor notes are desired. Common applications include:

- Beverages: soft drinks, fruit juices, and flavored water products
- Dairy products: yogurts, flavored milk, and cheese products
- Confectionery: candies and chewing gums
- Bakery products: breads, cakes, and pastries
- Condiments and sauces
- Savory snacks and seasonings

The compound's ability to provide natural-tasting green and fresh notes makes it valuable in creating products that appeal to consumers seeking "fresh" or "natural" flavor profiles. It is used in small concentrations, typically in the parts-per-million range, reflecting the potency of synthetic flavor compounds.

## Safety Assessment

Cis-3-hexenyl lactate has not been formally evaluated for FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status. However, the FDA database shows zero reported adverse events and zero product recalls associated with this additive, indicating no documented safety incidents in the U.S. food supply.

As a synthetic flavor compound, safety assessments typically consider:

- Acute toxicity data from animal studies
- Subchronic toxicity evaluations
- Genotoxicity and mutagenicity screening
- Metabolism and kinetics in biological systems

The lack of adverse event reports suggests the compound has a favorable safety profile at the levels used in food applications. The compound's ester structure is similar to many naturally occurring esters found in foods, which may contribute to its low toxicity potential.

## Regulatory Status

Cis-3-hexenyl lactate is not approved as a GRAS substance by the FDA, meaning it has not undergone formal FDA review and determination of safety for its intended use. This does not necessarily indicate safety concerns; rather, it reflects that the manufacturer or distributor has not submitted a GRAS notification to the FDA.

In the European Union, this substance may be regulated under the flavoring regulations (EC 1334/2008), which establish lists of approved flavoring substances. The regulatory pathway for flavor compounds differs between the United States and Europe, with the EU maintaining more restrictive approval mechanisms for food additives.

Food manufacturers using this ingredient are required to comply with applicable labeling regulations, which typically permit listing it under the general category "flavorings" rather than naming it specifically on ingredient labels.

## Key Studies

Limited published scientific literature is publicly available specifically addressing cis-3-hexenyl lactate toxicology and safety. Research on related flavor compounds and ester esters provides context for safety assessments of this chemical class. Studies on similar aliphatic esters used in flavorings generally show:

- Low systemic toxicity at typical use levels
- Rapid metabolism through standard esterase pathways
- No evidence of bioaccumulation
- Minimal reproductive or developmental effects at relevant exposures

The compound's chemical similarity to naturally occurring volatile esters in fruits and plants suggests it likely follows similar metabolic pathways in the body. However, regulatory agencies typically require substance-specific toxicology data for formal approvals.

## 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. "Cis-3-hexenyl Lactate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/cis-3-hexenyl-lactate. Accessed 2026-05-19.