# Ethyl Octanoate

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 106-32-1
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Ethyl octanoate is a naturally occurring ester compound used as a flavoring agent in food products. It imparts fruity, pineapple-like sensory characteristics and is commonly utilized in beverages, confections, and processed foods to enhance taste profiles.

## Regulatory status

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

## Detailed analysis

## What is Ethyl Octanoate?

Ethyl octanoate (CAS Number 106-32-1) is an ester formed from ethanol and octanoic acid (caprylic acid). It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic fruity aroma resembling pineapple and other tropical fruits. The compound occurs naturally in various fruits and fermented products, including pineapples, strawberries, and certain alcoholic beverages. In food manufacturing, it is synthetically produced and added as a flavoring agent to replicate or enhance these natural fruit flavors.

## Common Uses

Ethyl octanoate is primarily used in the food and beverage industry as a flavoring agent. Its fruity profile makes it particularly valuable in:

- Soft drinks and carbonated beverages
- Fruit-flavored confections and candies
- Dairy products including yogurts and flavored milk
- Baked goods and snack foods
- Flavored spirits and alcoholic beverages
- Ice cream and frozen desserts
- Processed fruit preparations

Typically used in very small concentrations (parts per million range), the compound enhances or creates desired sensory characteristics without significantly altering the nutritional profile of products.

## Safety Assessment

Ethyl octanoate demonstrates a favorable safety profile based on available scientific data. The FDA has received zero adverse event reports associated with this additive and zero recalls involving products containing ethyl octanoate. This absence of documented safety incidents provides evidence of its safe use history in food applications.

The compound's safety is supported by its natural occurrence in foods and its chemical structure, which does not present inherent toxicological concerns typical of synthetic additives. As an ester, ethyl octanoate is metabolized through standard biochemical pathways involving hydrolysis to ethanol and octanoic acid, both of which are naturally present in foods and metabolized without concern.

Toxicological studies generally indicate that ethyl octanoate does not pose significant health risks at levels used in food flavoring. The compound does not accumulate in body tissues and is readily metabolized and excreted.

## Regulatory Status

While ethyl octanoate does not carry FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status, this designation is not indicative of safety concerns. GRAS status is a specific regulatory pathway that requires formal petition and approval. Many food additives, including certain flavoring compounds, are used legally without GRAS designation under the FDA's Flavoring Extract and Related Substances (FERS) category or through other regulatory frameworks.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated ethyl octanoate and generally recognizes it as acceptable for use in flavoring applications. It is permitted in food products across the European Union under Regulation (EC) 1334/2008 on flavorings.

Manufacturers using ethyl octanoate must comply with Good Manufacturing Practices and use the compound only in quantities necessary to achieve the intended flavoring effect, consistent with FDA regulations for food additives.

## Key Studies

Scientific literature on ethyl octanoate is limited, reflecting the low regulatory concern surrounding the compound. Available studies confirm its metabolic fate and lack of bioaccumulation potential. Research in flavor chemistry has documented its sensory properties and efficacy as a flavoring agent at typical use levels.

The absence of published adverse effect data or toxicological concerns in scientific literature, combined with its natural occurrence and zero documented adverse events from FDA surveillance, supports its continued use as a safe flavoring agent in food products.

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