# Diacetyl

> Source URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/diacetyl
> Markdown URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/diacetyl.md

**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 431-03-8
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-04

## Summary

Diacetyl is a naturally occurring organic compound used as a flavoring agent, primarily to impart butter and cream notes in food products. While not currently designated as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) by the FDA, it has been used in food flavoring applications and has no recorded adverse events or recalls in the FDA database.

## Regulatory status

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

## Detailed analysis

## What is Diacetyl?

Diacetyl (2,3-butanedione, CAS Number 431-03-8) is a naturally occurring organic compound belonging to the class of alpha-diketones. It is characterized by a distinctive butter-like aroma and taste, making it valuable in the food flavoring industry. Diacetyl is produced naturally during fermentation processes in foods like butter, cheese, wine, and beer. In commercial applications, it is synthesized for use as a flavoring agent in various food and beverage products.

## Common Uses

Diacetyl is primarily used as a flavoring agent in the food industry to create buttery and creamy flavor profiles. Historically, it has been incorporated into products such as margarine, cooking oils, popcorn butter flavoring, dairy products, baked goods, and processed snack foods. The compound's use allows manufacturers to achieve authentic butter flavor in products that may not contain actual butter or that require flavor enhancement. However, its use has become more restricted in recent years, particularly in butter-flavored microwave popcorn applications due to occupational health concerns identified in the inhalation arena, not food consumption itself.

## Brands using Diacetyl

- Bob Evans (5 products)
- JFC International Inc. (1 product)
- Sweet Baby Ray's (1 product)
- Tesco finest (1 product)
- The Dumplin' Shoppe, Inc. (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. "Diacetyl — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/diacetyl. Accessed 2026-05-20.