# Phenethyl Octanoate

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> Markdown URL: https://additivefacts.com/additives/phenethyl-octanoate.md

**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 5457-70-5
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-02

## Summary

Phenethyl octanoate is a synthetic flavoring compound that imparts fruity, floral notes to food and beverage products. This ester is used in small quantities to enhance or create desired taste profiles in various commercial food applications.

## 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 Phenethyl Octanoate?

Phenethyl octanoate (CAS Number 5457-70-5) is a synthetic ester compound created through the combination of phenethyl alcohol and octanoic acid. It belongs to the class of flavor compounds known as esters, which naturally occur in fruits and are commonly used in the food industry to replicate or enhance fruity and floral flavor notes. The compound exists as a colorless to pale yellow liquid with a characteristic fruity aroma.

## Common Uses

Phenethyl octanoate is employed as a flavoring agent in the food and beverage industry. Its primary applications include:

- Fruit-flavored beverages and drinks
- Confectionery and candy products
- Baked goods and desserts
- Dairy products such as yogurts and flavored milk
- Processed snack foods
- Non-alcoholic beverages

The compound is used in very small quantities, typically measured in parts per million (ppm), to achieve the desired sensory profile without affecting the nutritional composition of the final product.

## Safety Assessment

Phenethyl octanoate has not been formally evaluated for GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status by the FDA. However, the absence of adverse events reported to the FDA and the lack of any food recalls associated with this compound suggests that it has maintained a safe usage history in food applications. The compound's structural similarity to naturally occurring esters found in fruits may contribute to its apparent safety profile, though this does not replace formal toxicological assessment.

The limited regulatory approval status does not necessarily indicate a safety concern but rather reflects the compound's more specialized use in the flavor industry. Many synthetic flavoring compounds operate outside formal GRAS designations while maintaining established safety records through decades of use.

## Regulatory Status

Phenethyl octanoate is not listed as a GRAS substance by the FDA, which means it does not have formal approval for use in food under the GRAS exemption process. Despite this, the compound may be used in food products under FDA regulations as a flavor additive where appropriate regulatory pathways have been followed, or it may be used in jurisdictions with different approval mechanisms.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated various synthetic flavoring agents through its flavor evaluation program. The regulatory landscape for synthetic flavors varies by country, and manufacturers using phenethyl octanoate must ensure compliance with local food additive regulations.

## Key Studies

While phenethyl octanoate has not been the subject of extensive published toxicological research in peer-reviewed literature, the compound belongs to a well-studied class of flavor esters. Similar compounds have been evaluated for acute and subchronic toxicity, with results generally supporting the safety of this class of compounds at the levels used in food flavoring.

The flavor and extract manufacturers have conducted proprietary safety assessments on phenethyl octanoate as part of industry-standard practices for flavor ingredient evaluation. These assessments typically include acute toxicity testing and review of metabolism pathways.

The absence of reported adverse events and recalls associated with this flavoring compound over its history of use suggests it has maintained an acceptable safety profile in food applications. However, definitive conclusions about safety would benefit from formal published toxicological studies.

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