# Ethyl Palmitate

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**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 628-97-7
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Ethyl palmitate is a fatty acid ester used as a flavoring agent and adjuvant in food products. It occurs naturally in some foods and is employed in small quantities to enhance or modify flavor profiles in various processed foods.

## 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 Palmitate?

Ethyl palmitate (CAS Number 628-97-7) is an ester formed from palmitic acid and ethanol. It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a mild, waxy odor. As a fatty acid ester, ethyl palmitate is chemically classified among compounds that naturally occur in foods, particularly in fats and oils. The compound has been identified in trace amounts in various foods including dairy products, meats, and plant-based oils.

## Common Uses

Ethyl palmitate functions as a flavoring agent and flavoring adjuvant in the food industry. It is used in small quantities to contribute to or enhance the sensory profile of food products. The compound's waxy characteristics make it useful in formulations where fatty or creamy flavor notes are desired. It may appear in processed foods, flavorings, and food additives at very low concentrations, typically measured in parts per million (ppm).

## Safety Assessment

Ethyl palmitate has generated no reported adverse events in the FDA database and has not been associated with any food recalls. The compound's safety profile is supported by its occurrence in the natural food supply and its chemical similarity to compounds already recognized as safe in foods. As a fatty acid ester, it undergoes normal metabolic pathways similar to dietary lipids when ingested.

The low molecular weight and fatty acid nature of ethyl palmitate suggest it would be readily metabolized by standard lipid digestion processes in the human body. No specific toxicological studies have raised concerns about this compound at typical food use levels.

## Regulatory Status

Ethyl palmitate is not listed on the FDA's Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list, meaning it has not undergone formal GRAS notification procedures. However, this does not indicate the substance is unsafe; rather, it reflects the regulatory pathway chosen by manufacturers. Some fatty acid esters are approved as food additives in various jurisdictions under different regulatory frameworks.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluates similar fatty acid esters as flavoring substances. Ethyl palmitate may be used in food flavoring applications in jurisdictions that permit it, though regulatory status varies by country and specific food application.

## Key Studies

Limited published research specifically addresses ethyl palmitate in isolation. The compound's safety assessment relies primarily on its structural similarity to naturally occurring fatty acid esters and the absence of any documented adverse health effects. Fatty acid esters of this type are generally recognized as undergoing standard lipid metabolism.

The lack of FDA adverse event reports or recalls associated with ethyl palmitate over decades of potential food use suggests an acceptable safety margin at typical food application levels. As with all food additives, the principle of safe use depends on appropriate concentration levels and intended food applications.

Future research, if conducted, would likely focus on specific toxicological endpoints or use levels in particular food categories. Current evidence does not suggest concerning safety issues at typical food flavoring 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 Palmitate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/ethyl-palmitate. Accessed 2026-05-19.