# Cis-3-octenyl Propionate

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 94134-03-9
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Cis-3-octenyl propionate is a synthetic flavoring compound used to impart fruity and fresh notes in food products. It is not currently approved as a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) ingredient by the FDA but has been used in limited applications within the flavor industry.

## 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-octenyl Propionate?

Cis-3-octenyl propionate (CAS Number: 94134-03-9) is a synthetic organic compound classified as a flavoring agent. It belongs to the ester family of flavor compounds, characterized by a propionic acid ester functional group attached to an unsaturated eight-carbon alcohol backbone. The "cis" designation indicates the specific geometric configuration of the double bond in its molecular structure, which influences its sensory properties. This compound is used in very small quantities in food applications to provide fruity, fresh, and slightly green aromatic notes.

## Common Uses

Cis-3-octenyl propionate is employed primarily in the flavor industry as a component of complex flavor blends. It is added to various food products including beverages, confectionery, baked goods, and dairy products to enhance or modify their flavor profiles. As a synthetic flavor compound, it may be used in both traditional foods and modern food formulations where precise, consistent flavor delivery is desired. The compound typically appears in proprietary flavor mixtures rather than as a standalone additive, with usage levels determined by the intended sensory effect and regulatory allowances in specific jurisdictions.

## Safety Assessment

According to FDA records, there have been zero reported adverse events associated with cis-3-octenyl propionate and zero product recalls linked to this ingredient. The absence of documented safety incidents in FDA databases suggests it has not raised acute toxicological concerns in reported use. However, the compound's non-GRAS status means it has not undergone the FDA's formal review process for general recognition of safety by qualified experts.

Limited published toxicological data is available in open scientific literature for this specific compound. Safety evaluations of flavor compounds typically consider acute toxicity, subchronic and chronic toxicity, genotoxicity, and reproductive/developmental toxicity. The chemical structure of cis-3-octenyl propionate—as an ester of a short-chain carboxylic acid and a natural-product-derived alcohol—suggests a favorable safety profile common to many approved flavor compounds, though this does not constitute a formal safety determination.

## Regulatory Status

Cis-3-octenyl propionate is not listed on the FDA's GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) inventory, meaning it cannot be used as a direct food additive in the United States without specific regulatory approval or a Food Additive Petition. Its use in the United States would require either achievement of GRAS status through a formal petition process or approval as a food additive through the FDA's standard approval pathway.

In the European Union, this compound may be evaluated under the food flavoring regulations (EC 1334/2008), where approval status would depend on its inclusion in the Union List of approved flavoring substances. Regulatory status varies by country and region, and manufacturers using this ingredient must ensure compliance with local regulations where their products are sold.

## Key Studies

Published scientific literature specifically evaluating cis-3-octenyl propionate is limited. Most safety information for synthetic flavor compounds derives from chemical family assessments and structural analogue data rather than direct testing of individual compounds. The flavor industry generally applies predictive toxicology models based on the chemical structure and metabolism patterns of ester-based flavorings.

Flavor compounds in this structural class are typically metabolized through ester hydrolysis to their corresponding carboxylic acid and alcohol components, both of which may have established safety data. Understanding the metabolic fate of such compounds is important for comprehensive safety assessment, though specific metabolism studies for this individual compound appear not to be publicly available.

## 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-octenyl Propionate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/cis-3-octenyl-propionate. Accessed 2026-05-19.