# Santalyl Acetate

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**Safety rating:** UNKNOWN
**CAS number:** 1323-00-8
**Category:** flavoring
**FDA GRAS:** no
**Adverse events (FDA AERS):** 0
**FDA recalls:** 0
**Last updated:** 2026-04-04

## Summary

Santalyl acetate (CAS 1323-00-8) is a synthetic flavoring compound used to impart woody, sandalwood-like aromatic characteristics to food and beverage products. It functions as a flavoring agent or adjuvant in the food industry.

## 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 Santalyl Acetate?

Santalyl acetate is a synthetic organic compound classified as a flavoring agent. It is the acetate ester of santalol, a naturally occurring alcohol found in sandalwood essential oil. The compound is identified by CAS number 1323-00-8 and is used in the food industry to provide woody, warm, and sandalwood-like flavor notes to various food and beverage formulations.

As a synthetic flavoring substance, santalyl acetate allows food manufacturers to replicate or enhance sandalwood-like sensory characteristics without relying exclusively on natural sandalwood extraction, which may be economically or sustainably challenging.

## Common Uses

Santalyl acetate is primarily employed as a flavoring agent in the food and beverage industry. Its applications typically include:

- Beverages (including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks)
- Confectionery and candy products
- Baked goods and desserts
- Flavored dairy products
- Savory food applications where woody notes are desired

The compound is used in very small quantities, as is typical for synthetic flavoring agents, to achieve the desired sensory profile without contributing significantly to the nutritional composition of products.

## Safety Assessment

Santalyl acetate has not been formally approved as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. However, the compound has demonstrated a favorable safety profile based on available data:

- Zero adverse events have been reported to the FDA associated with santalyl acetate
- No FDA recalls involving this additive have been documented
- The compound has not been linked to known toxicity concerns in available scientific literature

The absence of reported adverse events and recalls suggests that santalyl acetate, when used in typical food applications at levels consistent with flavoring agent use, has not raised safety concerns in the marketplace. However, the lack of formal GRAS status indicates that comprehensive safety dossiers submitted to the FDA for this specific compound may not be publicly available or that the manufacturer has not pursued GRAS notification.

As with all synthetic flavoring agents, santalyl acetate would be subject to FDA regulations limiting its use to levels that are not injurious to health and that comply with good manufacturing practices for flavoring substances.

## Regulatory Status

In the United States, santalyl acetate is not listed on the FDA's GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) inventory. This means it has not undergone the formal GRAS notification process or does not meet the criteria for GRAS status based on a history of safe use.

Despite this designation, the compound may be used in food products under FDA regulations that allow certain flavoring substances to be used when the manufacturer can demonstrate they are safe at the levels of intended use. The FDA maintains regulations for synthetic flavoring substances that are not on the GRAS list, provided they meet specific safety and usage criteria.

Regulatory approaches to santalyl acetate may vary internationally. Some regulatory bodies in Europe and other regions may have different classifications or approval statuses for this flavoring compound.

## Key Studies

Limited published peer-reviewed research specifically examining santalyl acetate toxicity or safety is readily available in the public domain. The safety assessment for this compound is primarily supported by:

- The absence of reported adverse health effects in the FDA's adverse event database
- Its structural relationship to santalol, a naturally occurring compound in sandalwood oil, which has a long history of use in traditional applications
- General toxicological principles governing synthetic esters, which are often considered lower concern due to their facile metabolism

Additional safety data may exist in proprietary technical dossiers held by manufacturers or suppliers but are not typically published in peer-reviewed journals. The chemical structure and ester functionality suggest that santalyl acetate would undergo standard metabolic degradation similar to other acetate esters used in food applications.

## 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. "Santalyl Acetate — Safety, regulation, and evidence." https://additivefacts.com/additives/santalyl-acetate. Accessed 2026-05-20.