# Cis-4-heptenal

> Source URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/cis-4-heptenal
> Markdown URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/cis-4-heptenal.md

**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 6728-31-0
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Cis-4-heptenal is a naturally occurring organic compound used as a flavoring agent in food products. It provides fruity and floral notes and is employed in small quantities to enhance flavor profiles in processed foods and beverages.

## 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-4-heptenal?

Cis-4-heptenal is an unsaturated aldehyde with the chemical formula C7H12O and CAS number 6728-31-0. It is a volatile organic compound characterized by a seven-carbon chain with a double bond in the cis configuration at the fourth carbon position and an aldehyde functional group. This compound occurs naturally in various fruits and plant sources, contributing to their characteristic aromatic profiles.

## Common Uses

Cis-4-heptenal is used exclusively as a flavoring agent in the food industry. Its primary application is in the formulation of complex flavor systems designed to enhance or create fruity and floral taste notes. It is typically used in very small concentrations—often measured in parts per million—in products such as beverages, confectionery, dairy products, and baked goods. The compound's volatile nature makes it particularly suitable for applications where fresh, fruity aromatics are desired.

## Safety Assessment

Cis-4-heptenal has not been formally evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status. However, the absence of an approved GRAS determination does not indicate a safety concern; rather, it reflects that formal safety dossiers have not been submitted to the FDA for this particular compound. The FDA's adverse events database contains no reported safety incidents associated with cis-4-heptenal, and no recalls linked to this ingredient have been documented. The compound's natural occurrence in foods and its use in minimal quantities support a favorable safety profile, though formal toxicological studies specific to food-use concentrations would strengthen the safety record.

As a flavoring agent, cis-4-heptenal is subject to quantity limitations in food applications. Manufacturers are expected to follow the principle of "use at the minimum level necessary to achieve the desired effect," a foundational concept in flavor chemistry and food safety.

## Regulatory Status

In the United States, cis-4-heptenal is not explicitly listed on the FDA's GRAS inventory, meaning it cannot currently be used as a food additive without prior FDA approval or notification under the Food Additive Modernization Act (FAMA). Some flavor compounds with similar chemical structures and natural origins have received GRAS approval, but each compound must be individually evaluated. In the European Union, cis-4-heptenal may be permitted under flavor substance regulations depending on the specific product category and national implementations. Manufacturers seeking to use this ingredient should verify current regulatory status in their target markets and may need to pursue formal safety approvals or work with approved flavor suppliers.

## Key Studies

Limited published scientific literature is available specifically addressing cis-4-heptenal's safety or toxicology. The compound belongs to a broader class of unsaturated aldehydes found in nature, some of which have undergone safety assessments by the International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IFAI) and the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). General toxicological principles for aldehydes suggest that systemic absorption is typically low due to rapid metabolism and the minute quantities used in food flavoring. Natural occurrence in foods provides some confidence in safety, though formal dose-response studies would be required for any regulatory approval petition. Researchers interested in detailed safety data should consult the FEMA GRAS list and the European Flavour Association's assessments for structurally related compounds.

## 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-4-heptenal — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/cis-4-heptenal. Accessed 2026-05-19.