# Isobutyl 2-furanpropionate

> Source URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/isobutyl-2-furanpropionate
> Markdown URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/isobutyl-2-furanpropionate.md

**Safety rating:** SAFE
**CAS number:** 105-01-1
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Isobutyl 2-furanpropionate (CAS 105-01-1) is a synthetic flavoring compound used to impart fruity and complex taste notes in food products. It belongs to the furan derivative class of flavor chemicals and is employed in trace amounts to enhance food palatability.

## 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 Isobutyl 2-furanpropionate?

Isobutyl 2-furanpropionate is a synthetic organic compound classified as a flavoring agent. It consists of a furan ring (a five-membered aromatic ring containing oxygen) connected to a propionic acid chain, esterified with isobutyl alcohol. The chemical structure gives it distinctive aromatic properties useful in flavor applications. This compound is one of many furan-derived flavor chemicals used in the food industry to create complex taste profiles, particularly those with fruity, slightly sweet, or toasted characteristics.

## Common Uses

Isobutyl 2-furanpropionate is used as a flavoring agent in various processed food products. Its primary applications include beverages, confectionery, baked goods, and dairy products. Because it is used in flavoring blends and typically at very low concentrations (parts per million range), consumers rarely encounter it as a standalone ingredient. Food manufacturers use it to enhance or modify the sensory profile of products, contributing to the overall flavor complexity rather than serving as a primary flavor note.

## Safety Assessment

The safety profile of isobutyl 2-furanpropionate is characterized by limited but available data. The FDA has not granted this substance GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status, which means it has not undergone the formal GRAS notification process. However, the absence of GRAS status does not indicate a safety concern; rather, it reflects that a formal safety petition or notification was not submitted to the FDA. The compound shows no reported adverse events in the FDA database and has not been subject to any food recalls, suggesting no identified safety issues in current use.

Furan derivatives have been studied for potential toxicological effects in some cases, though the safety profile varies significantly between individual compounds. As a flavor chemical used in minimal quantities, isobutyl 2-furanpropionate's exposure levels in typical food consumption are expected to be very low. The compound undergoes metabolism in the body like other esterified flavor compounds, being hydrolyzed into its component parts.

## Regulatory Status

In the United States, isobutyl 2-furanpropionate is permitted for use as a flavoring substance under FDA regulations (21 CFR 182.60), which allows it to be used in food subject to limitations. While not GRAS-listed, its regulatory status permits its use when properly identified on product labels or ingredient lists. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) also recognizes certain furan-derived flavoring compounds, though specific approvals vary by member state and compound.

The flavor chemical is subject to the same labeling and usage restrictions as other synthetic flavoring agents. Food manufacturers must ensure compliance with concentration limits and proper identification in ingredient statements.

## Key Studies

Literature on isobutyl 2-furanpropionate specifically is limited, as with many minor flavor chemicals. The toxicological evaluation of related furan compounds has been conducted by flavor industry safety assessment bodies. The International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IOFI) and similar bodies periodically review flavor chemical safety based on available scientific evidence and use levels. General studies on ester-based flavoring compounds indicate that typical food-use concentrations present minimal systemic exposure. Any comprehensive safety assessment would rely on acute and chronic toxicity data, metabolism studies, and evaluation of potential genotoxicity or reproductive effects, which are standard for flavor chemical evaluation. The zero adverse events and zero recalls associated with this compound in FDA records suggest no identified safety signals in practical use.

## 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. "Isobutyl 2-furanpropionate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/isobutyl-2-furanpropionate. Accessed 2026-05-19.