# Dilauryl Thiodipropionate

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 123-28-4
**Category:** other
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-04

## Summary

Dilauryl thiodipropionate (DTDP) is a synthetic antioxidant compound used primarily in non-food industrial applications, though it may be present in food contact materials. Its use in direct food applications is limited and not well-established in regulatory databases.

## 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 Dilauryl Thiodipropionate?

Dilauryl thiodipropionate (DTDP), identified by CAS number 123-28-4, is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the class of thiodipropionate antioxidants. It consists of a central disulfide linkage connecting two propionate ester chains, each bearing a lauryl (12-carbon) alkyl group. This chemical structure provides antioxidant properties by helping prevent oxidative degradation in various materials.

## Common Uses

Dilauryl thiodipropionate is primarily utilized in industrial applications rather than direct food use. Its main applications include use as a stabilizer in plastics, rubber, and polymeric materials. In the context of food, DTDP may be encountered as a component of food-contact materials such as plastic packaging, rather than as a direct food additive. The compound's antioxidant properties help prevent degradation of polymer chains during processing and storage. Some formulations of cosmetics and personal care products may also contain this compound, though specific food applications remain unclear.

## Safety Assessment

Dilauryl thiodipropionate has not been formally evaluated for direct food additive use by the FDA and does not hold Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status. This designation does not necessarily indicate the substance is unsafe; rather, it reflects the absence of a formal safety petition or notification for food use. The FDA has recorded zero adverse events and zero recalls associated with this additive, suggesting either minimal direct food exposure or no identified safety incidents in the available data.

Limited toxicological studies are available in the scientific literature specifically addressing DTDP. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has not issued specific guidance on this compound for food applications. When used in food-contact plastics and polymers, migration studies would be relevant to assess potential transfer to food products. The extent of migration from polymeric materials into food depends on factors including polymer composition, temperature, contact time, and food type.

## Regulatory Status

In the United States, DTDP is not approved as a direct food additive. It does not appear on the FDA's list of approved food additives, colorants, or GRAS substances. However, it may be permitted as a component in certain food-contact articles under 21 CFR regulations governing indirect food additives, though its specific regulatory status in this category requires verification with current FDA guidance documents.

International regulatory status varies by jurisdiction. The European Union's regulations on food-contact materials provide frameworks for assessing substances in polymers, but DTDP's specific authorization status would require consultation of current EU plastic regulations (EU 10/2011 and related legislation).

Manufacturers using this compound in food-contact applications would need to ensure compliance with applicable indirect additive regulations and provide appropriate safety documentation supporting its use.

## Key Studies

Published scientific literature specifically examining dilauryl thiodipropionate's safety profile in food contexts is limited. Most available data concerns its use and stability in polymer applications rather than toxicological assessment for food safety. Research on structurally similar thiodipropionate antioxidants (such as distearyl thiodipropionate) may provide some relevant information regarding class behavior, but direct extrapolation should be approached cautiously.

Future safety assessment would benefit from standardized toxicity studies, including oral bioavailability data, metabolic fate analysis, and potential migration studies from food-contact materials under various use conditions. The apparent absence of reported adverse events may reflect limited monitoring rather than confirmed safety.

## 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. "Dilauryl Thiodipropionate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/dilauryl-thiodipropionate. Accessed 2026-05-20.