# Ethyl 3-mercaptopropionate

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 5466-06-8
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Ethyl 3-mercaptopropionate is a synthetic flavoring compound containing a reactive sulfur group, used primarily as a flavor enhancer and flavoring agent in food products. It imparts savory, meaty, or sulfurous notes to enhance overall flavor profiles.

## 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 Ethyl 3-mercaptopropionate?

Ethyl 3-mercaptopropionate (CAS Number: 5466-06-8) is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the class of sulfur-containing flavor compounds. It consists of an ethyl ester with a thiol (mercapto) functional group, which is responsible for its distinctive sulfurous character. The compound is volatile and aromatic, making it suitable for flavoring applications where meaty, savory, or sulfurous notes are desired.

## Common Uses

Ethyl 3-mercaptopropionate is employed primarily in the food industry as a flavoring agent and flavor enhancer. Its applications typically include:

- Meat flavoring compounds and savory seasonings
- Broth and stock-based flavoring systems
- Processed meat products
- Savory snacks and food seasonings
- Cheese and dairy flavoring applications

The compound's sulfurous profile makes it particularly valuable in creating authentic meaty and umami-rich taste sensations in food products where natural ingredients may be cost-prohibitive or inconsistent in quality.

## Safety Assessment

Ethyl 3-mercaptopropionate has not received GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status from the FDA, indicating that it has not undergone the formal FDA GRAS notification process. However, this designation does not necessarily indicate safety concerns; rather, it reflects the regulatory pathway taken by manufacturers. The FDA has recorded zero adverse events associated with this additive, and there have been no recalls linked to its use in food products.

The absence of reported adverse events and recalls suggests that the compound has been used without documented harm in food applications. As a sulfur-containing flavoring compound, it falls within a broader class of synthetic flavor compounds that have been studied for safety. The thiol group present in the molecule is chemically stable under normal food storage and processing conditions.

Limitations in the available safety data stem primarily from the compound's specialized use in niche flavoring applications. Limited independent toxicological studies specific to ethyl 3-mercaptopropionate are publicly available, which contributes to the lack of GRAS status.

## Regulatory Status

Ethyl 3-mercaptopropionate operates under different regulatory frameworks depending on geographic region:

**United States:** The compound is not GRAS-listed by the FDA. However, it may be used in food under the FDA's food additive regulations if manufacturers have submitted appropriate petitions or use it in accordance with applicable regulations. Its use is permissible in flavoring formulations within established guidelines.

**European Union:** Sulfur-containing flavor compounds are evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Specific approval status for this compound should be verified through EFSA's flavorings database.

**Other Regions:** Regulatory status varies by country. Manufacturers must verify compliance with local food additive regulations before use in specific markets.

## Key Studies

Published peer-reviewed toxicological studies specifically evaluating ethyl 3-mercaptopropionate are limited in the public domain. Safety assessments have typically relied on:

- Chemical structure-activity relationship (SAR) analyses with related sulfur-containing compounds
- General toxicology data for synthetic ester compounds
- Organoleptic and sensory evaluation studies establishing appropriate use levels
- Manufacturing and stability data confirming the compound's integrity in food systems

The broader class of synthetic flavor compounds has been extensively reviewed by flavor industry bodies and regulatory agencies. Ethyl 3-mercaptopropionate's chemical stability and volatility profile suggest it would be unlikely to accumulate in tissues, though specific pharmacokinetic studies would provide more definitive information.

Manufacturers typically conduct proprietary safety assessments prior to commercialization. The absence of reported adverse events despite its use in commercial food applications provides practical evidence of safe use at typical flavor concentrations.

## 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. "Ethyl 3-mercaptopropionate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/ethyl-3-mercaptopropionate. Accessed 2026-05-19.