Ethyl Maltol (E637): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Ethyl maltol is a synthetic analogue of maltol with a more intense sweet, caramel and cotton-candy aroma, effective at very low concentrations. JECFA set an acceptable daily intake of 0-2 mg per kg body weight, and it is regulated in the EU and UK as an authorised flavouring substance. It shows low toxicity with no genotoxic or carcinogenic concern at food-use levels.
- Category
- Flavour Enhancer — Flavour enhancer
- Typically used in
- Confectionery, baked goods and fruit-flavoured beverages.
- Regulatory status
- Authorised in the EU and UK as a flavouring substance under Regulation 1334/2008 rather than as an additive. JECFA ADI 0-2 mg/kg bw. The E637 designation is a legacy Codex number.
Scrannr flags Ethyl Maltol automatically when you scan a barcode.
Where this comes from
- JECFA WHO (2005) — Ethyl maltol JECFA evaluation acceptable daily intake https://apps.who.int/food-additives-contaminants-jecfa-database/chemical.aspx?chemID=4705
Products containing Ethyl Maltol
We're building product pages that show real UK products containing Ethyl Maltol, using Open Food Facts data. They'll appear here soon — in the meantime, scan any barcode with the Scrannr app to check for it instantly.
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