# Citral Propylene Glycol Acetal (E1520)

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**E-number:** E1520
**CAS number:** 10444-50-5
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Citral Propylene Glycol Acetal (CAS 10444-50-5) is a synthetic flavoring agent derived from citral, a naturally occurring compound found in citrus oils. It is used in food and beverage products to impart lemon and citrus flavors.

## 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 Citral Propylene Glycol Acetal?

Citral Propylene Glycol Acetal is a synthetic flavoring compound created by the chemical reaction between citral (a terpene aldehyde found in lemongrass and citrus peels) and propylene glycol. The resulting acetal is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a pronounced lemon-like aroma. While derived from natural precursors, the final compound is considered synthetic due to its chemical processing.

## Common Uses

This flavoring agent is primarily used in the food and beverage industry to provide citrus flavoring notes. It appears in applications such as:

- Flavored beverages and soft drinks
- Confectionery and candy products
- Baked goods and dairy products
- Flavoring syrups and concentrates
- Alcoholic beverages

The compound is valued for its stability and ability to deliver consistent lemon and citrus flavor profiles across various food matrices. As a flavoring agent, it is typically used at very low concentrations, measured in parts per million (ppm).

## Safety Assessment

Citral Propylene Glycol Acetal has not been granted GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status by the U.S. FDA. However, the absence of GRAS designation does not indicate that a compound is unsafe; rather, it means formal GRAS status was not pursued or established through the regulatory process.

According to FDA records, there have been zero adverse events reported for this additive and zero product recalls attributed to it. This absence of reported safety incidents suggests no documented safety concerns in consumer use.

Propylene glycol, one of the compound's components, is widely used in food and pharmaceutical products and has extensive safety data supporting its use. Citral itself has been used in flavoring for many years with a strong safety record.

## Regulatory Status

The regulatory landscape for Citral Propylene Glycol Acetal varies by jurisdiction:

**United States**: While not GRAS-listed, the compound may be used in food under FDA regulations if it meets the definition of a food additive and has appropriate safety documentation. Manufacturers may petition for GRAS status or use it under the food additive approval process.

**European Union**: The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) maintains listings of approved flavoring agents. The regulatory status in EU member states may differ from the United States.

**International**: Various countries have different approval pathways for synthetic flavoring agents, and availability may vary by region.

Manufacturers using this ingredient should verify compliance with local regulations in their specific markets.

## Key Studies

Scientific literature on Citral Propylene Glycol Acetal specifically is limited, as is common for many synthetic flavoring compounds used at minimal concentrations. Safety assessment typically relies on:

- Chemical structure analysis and comparison to known safe compounds
- General toxicology data for its parent compounds (citral and propylene glycol)
- In vitro and animal testing when required for regulatory approval
- Long-term safety data from years of use in commercial food products

Citral, the primary flavoring component, has been studied extensively and shows a favorable safety profile in food applications. Propylene glycol has decades of safety data in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications.

The absence of reported adverse events despite years of commercial use provides additional evidence of practical safety in typical food applications.

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