# Furfuryl Thiopropionate

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 59020-85-8
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Furfuryl thiopropionate is a synthetic flavoring compound used to impart savory, meaty, and sulfur-based flavor notes in processed foods. It is not currently approved as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA but has not been associated with reported adverse events or product recalls.

## 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 Furfuryl Thiopropionate?

Furfuryl thiopropionate (CAS Number 59020-85-8) is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the class of flavor ingredients. It consists of a furfuryl group—a five-membered aromatic ring containing oxygen—combined with a thiopropionate moiety that contains sulfur. This chemical structure gives the compound distinctive sulfurous and meat-like aromatic properties that food manufacturers utilize in flavoring applications.

The compound is produced through chemical synthesis and is classified as a flavoring agent or adjuvant by regulatory agencies. As a synthetic flavoring, it undergoes different approval processes than naturally-derived flavoring compounds.

## Common Uses

Furfuryl thiopropionate is used primarily in savory food applications where meaty, umami, or sulfur-forward flavor profiles are desired. These applications may include:

- Processed meat products and meat analogs
- Savory snack seasonings
- Soup and broth flavoring bases
- Condiments and sauces
- Processed cheese products
- Instant food preparations

The compound functions at very low concentrations, typically measured in parts per million (ppm), as its potent flavor impact means only minimal quantities are needed to achieve desired sensory effects. This is characteristic of most synthetic flavor compounds used in the food industry.

## Safety Assessment

Furfuryl thiopropionate currently has no recorded adverse events reported to the FDA and no associated product recalls. This absence of reported incidents suggests no demonstrated safety concerns have emerged from its use in the food supply.

However, it is important to note that the compound is not on the FDA's GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list. This designation does not necessarily indicate a safety concern but rather reflects the regulatory pathway and approval status. Not all safe food ingredients hold GRAS status; some are used under FDA approval through other regulatory mechanisms such as Food Additive Petitions or existing regulations.

The lack of substantial research and published toxicity studies on this particular compound means its safety profile has not been comprehensively characterized through independent peer-reviewed research. This is not unusual for minor-use flavor ingredients, many of which have limited published safety data despite decades of use.

## Regulatory Status

In the United States, furfuryl thiopropionate is not approved as a GRAS ingredient. This means any food manufacturer wishing to use it must obtain specific FDA approval through a Food Additive Petition or use it under an existing food additive regulation. The compound may be permitted for use in certain jurisdictions outside the United States under different regulatory frameworks.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) maintains separate evaluations for food flavoring substances. Regulatory approval varies by region, and manufacturers must comply with the specific requirements of the countries where their products are marketed.

The classification as a synthetic flavoring ingredient places it under more stringent regulatory scrutiny than naturally-identical flavorings, which may have different approval pathways in some jurisdictions.

## Key Studies

Published independent safety studies specifically investigating furfuryl thiopropionate are limited in the scientific literature. Most synthetic flavoring compound approvals rely on structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis and data from the manufacturer's own toxicological testing submitted to regulatory authorities.

General toxicological data on related furfuryl and thiopropionate compounds inform safety assessments. The low concentrations used in food (typically parts per million) and the established safety of structurally similar flavor compounds support its continued use under appropriate regulatory frameworks.

Manufacturers seeking approval for such compounds typically conduct standard toxicity studies including acute toxicity, subchronic toxicity, and genotoxicity assessments before regulatory submission. However, these proprietary studies are not always publicly available in peer-reviewed literature.

## 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. "Furfuryl Thiopropionate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/furfuryl-thiopropionate. Accessed 2026-05-19.