# Propyleneglycol Dihexanoate

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 50343-36-7
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-04

## Summary

Propyleneglycol dihexanoate (CAS 50343-36-7) is a synthetic flavoring agent used to enhance taste and aroma in food products. It functions as a flavoring adjuvant and is not currently on the FDA's GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) list.

## Regulatory status

| Country | Status |
| --- | --- |
| United States | approved |
| European Union | not_evaluated |
| United Kingdom | approved |
| Canada | approved |
| Australia | approved |
| Japan | approved |
| South Korea | approved |
| Brazil | approved |
| China | approved |
| India | approved |

## Detailed analysis

## What is Propyleneglycol Dihexanoate?

Propyleneglycol dihexanoate is a synthetic ester compound classified as a flavoring agent or flavoring adjuvant. It consists of propylene glycol chemically bonded with two hexanoic acid molecules. The compound is identified by CAS Number 50343-36-7 and belongs to the broader category of synthetic flavor compounds used in the food industry.

## Common Uses

This additive is utilized primarily as a flavoring agent in various food and beverage applications. Like other synthetic flavor compounds, propyleneglycol dihexanoate is intended to provide or enhance fruity, fatty, or creamy taste notes in products. The specific sensory profile it imparts makes it suitable for applications in beverages, confectionery, dairy products, and processed foods where flavor enhancement is desired. However, detailed information about its prevalence in commercial food products remains limited in public databases.

## Safety Assessment

As of current FDA records, there are zero reported adverse events associated with propyleneglycol dihexanoate and zero product recalls linked to this additive. This absence of documented incidents suggests no widespread safety concerns have emerged from its use in the marketplace.

However, it is important to note that the absence of reported adverse events does not automatically indicate comprehensive safety testing. The lack of an FDA GRAS designation means this compound has not undergone the formal GRAS notification process, which involves scientific review and expert consensus on its safety for its intended use. Manufacturers using this ingredient must comply with applicable food additive regulations in their respective jurisdictions.

Toxicological data on propyleneglycol dihexanoate is limited in public literature. The compound's chemical structure—containing propylene glycol, a widely used food ingredient with an established safety profile, and hexanoic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid—suggests a reasonable basis for safety. However, the specific esterified form has not been extensively documented in independent safety literature.

## Regulatory Status

Propyleneglycol dihexanoate is not on the FDA's GRAS list, which means it does not have blanket approval for use without specific food additive regulations. Its regulatory status varies by country. In the United States, its use would be subject to food additive petition requirements or compliance with existing food additive regulations, depending on how it is classified and marketed.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) maintains separate lists of approved flavoring agents. Manufacturers seeking to use this ingredient must ensure compliance with local regulations and may need to obtain specific approvals depending on the target market and food category.

## Key Studies

Published scientific literature specifically addressing the safety profile of propyleneglycol dihexanoate is notably sparse. While component compounds—propylene glycol and hexanoic acid—have individual safety histories in food applications, the combined esterified form lacks dedicated toxicological studies in readily accessible databases.

The propylene glycol backbone has been extensively studied and is generally recognized as safe for various food applications at typical use levels. Hexanoic acid is a short-chain fatty acid found naturally in foods like cheese and is considered safe by various regulatory bodies. However, the specific properties and safety profile of the esterified compound would require independent assessment.

To establish more definitive safety information, additional toxicological studies and regulatory submissions would strengthen the evidence base for this additive's safety profile.

## 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. "Propyleneglycol Dihexanoate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/propyleneglycol-dihexanoate. Accessed 2026-05-20.