# Nonanoyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylamide

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 2444-46-4
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Nonanoyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylamide is a synthetic flavoring compound derived from vanillin chemistry. It functions as a flavor enhancer and flavoring agent in processed foods, though it has not received FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) approval.

## 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 Nonanoyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylamide?

Nonanoyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylamide (CAS Number: 2444-46-4) is a synthetic organic compound classified as a flavoring agent. Its chemical structure is derived from vanillin, the primary flavor compound in vanilla extract, with a nonanoyl (nine-carbon) fatty acid chain attached. This modification creates a compound intended to enhance or modify flavor profiles in food products. The compound exists as a crystalline or powdered substance at room temperature and is designed to dissolve in food matrices to deliver flavor characteristics.

## Common Uses

This additive is used in the flavor and fragrance industry as a flavoring agent and flavor enhancer. Its primary applications include:

- Processed food flavoring formulations
- Beverage flavor systems
- Dairy product flavoring
- Confectionery applications

The vanillin-derived structure suggests potential use in products requiring warm, spice-like, or vanilla-adjacent flavor notes. However, due to its non-GRAS status, its use in the United States is limited compared to approved alternatives like vanillin itself or other GRAS-designated flavoring compounds.

## Safety Assessment

Nonanoyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylamide has not been formally evaluated and approved by the FDA as a GRAS ingredient for use in food. This means it has not undergone the standard safety assessment process required for direct food additives in the United States. The absence of FDA GRAS status indicates either that a formal petition has not been submitted, or that such a petition was not approved.

According to available FDA data, there have been zero reported adverse events and zero product recalls associated with this compound. This lack of adverse event reports does not necessarily indicate safety approval, but rather reflects its limited use in the U.S. food supply.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) maintains separate approval processes for food additives. Availability of safety data through EFSA assessment would provide additional regulatory context, though specific EFSA determinations for this compound should be verified through current regulatory databases.

As a vanillin-derived compound, some structural similarity to vanillin exists, which has extensive safety history. However, the nonanoyl modification creates a structurally distinct molecule, and safety cannot be assumed based on parent compound approval. The fatty acid chain addition may affect absorption, metabolism, and biological activity compared to vanillin.

## Regulatory Status

In the United States, nonanoyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylamide is not approved as a GRAS flavoring agent. This means it cannot be directly added to foods without specific FDA approval as a food additive, which would require a Food Additive Petition and demonstrated safety data.

International regulatory status varies:

- **European Union**: Regulatory status should be verified against the EU flavoring register
- **Japan**: Status under Japanese food additive regulations requires independent verification
- **China**: Separate approval processes apply

Manufacturers seeking to use this compound in food products must pursue appropriate regulatory pathways in their target markets. Some manufacturers use this compound in flavoring preparations exported to regions with different regulatory frameworks.

## Key Studies

Published scientific literature specifically evaluating the safety of nonanoyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylamide is limited in publicly available databases. Most flavor compound safety assessment relies on:

- Structural activity relationship (SAR) analysis
- Acute and chronic toxicity studies in animal models
- Metabolism and kinetics data
- Mutagenicity and genotoxicity testing

For compounds seeking GRAS status, manufacturers typically submit comprehensive safety dossiers including literature reviews, toxicology studies, and manufacturing specifications. The non-GRAS status of this compound suggests such studies either have not been compiled into a formal petition or were not sufficient for approval.

Researchers and regulatory professionals can access flavor compound safety data through the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association (FEMA) GRAS program database and the FDA's food additive petition records.

## 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. "Nonanoyl 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylamide — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/nonanoyl-4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylamide. Accessed 2026-05-19.