Flavor ingredient regulatory record
4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol
4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol is a phenol in the fruity family, FEMA GRAS under FEMA number 3704 (CAS 6638-05-7). Its odor is sweet, fruity, herbal, woody.
- FEMA
- 3704
- CAS
- 6638-05-7
- JECFA
- 722
- EU FL
- 04.053
- Formula
- C9H12O3
- EC
- 229-641-6
GRAS status: FEMA GRAS, publication 13. Recorded by FDA in the Substances Added to Food inventory under CAS 6638-05-7.
Structure
Identity
Also known as: Phenol, 2,6-dimethoxy-4-methyl-, p-Cresol, 2,6-dimethoxy-, 2,6-Dimethoxy-4-methylphenol, 4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxytoluene, 4-Methylsyringol, Methylsyringol, 2,6-Dimethoxy-p-cresol, 3,5-Dimethoxy-4-hydroxytoluene, 1-Methyl-3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzene, 2,6-Dimethoxy-4-cresol, NSC 47901, 2,6-dimethoxy-4-methylphenol.
Can 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol be labeled natural?
4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol occurs in nature, so the label depends on the route: 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol won from a natural source by a physical, enzymatic or microbiological process is natural flavor in the United States, and synthesized 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol is artificial. The EU and UK follow the same logic without a middle class; Mercosur and Mexico label synthetic 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol identical-to-natural.
- United States
- Natural or artificial, by process
- European Union and UK
- Natural only from natural material
- Mercosur and Mexico
- Natural or identical-to-natural
How each market defines the classes: natural vs artificial flavor under 21 CFR 101.22.
Regulatory status, with citations
United States
4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol is FEMA GRAS under FEMA number 3704. It is cited in the Code of Federal Regulations at 21 CFR 172.515.
European Union and United Kingdom
Listed on the Union List of flavouring substances as FL 04.053, Annex I Part A under Regulation (EC) 1334/2008, evaluation status approved (EFSA). The UK retains the same list.
JECFA (WHO / FAO)
JECFA number 722, evaluated at the 55th meeting in 2000. No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent.
Other US flags
Not on the California Proposition 65 list.
Odor and taste
Odor: Sweet, fruity, herbal, woody.
Where it is used
4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol is used in beverage, confection, flavoring and baked goods, typically as a fruity note.
Structurally similar flavor ingredients
Flavor ingredients with a GRAS determination closest to 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol by structure. Whether one can replace it is a sensory and regulatory call; the reformulation tool works that through.
| Material | FEMA | Similarity | Occurrence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,6-Dimethoxyphenol | 3137 | 87% | In nature |
| 4-Ethyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol | 3671 | 87% | In nature |
| 4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde | 4049 | 79% | In nature |
| m-Dimethoxybenzene | 2385 | 76% | In nature |
| 1,2-Dimethoxybenzene | 3799 | 61% | In nature |
More phenols in this index
1-Cyclopropanemethyl-4-methoxybenzene · 1-Methoxy-2-methylbenzene · p-Propylanisole · 1-Hydroxy-2,5-dimethylbenzene · 4-Propyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol · 1-Methoxy-4-methylbenzene
4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol FAQ
Is 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol on the FEMA GRAS list?
It is. FEMA number 3704 covers 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol. It is also codified at 21 CFR 172.515.
What is the FEMA number for 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol?
The FEMA number for 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol is 3704 and its CAS registry number is 6638-05-7. FEMA files it in the fruity flavor category.
Is 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol natural or artificial?
Since 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol is found in nature, US labeling follows how it was obtained: natural flavor from a natural source and a natural process, artificial when 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol is synthesized. The EU and UK follow the same logic without a middle class; Mercosur and Mexico label synthetic 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol identical-to-natural.
Is 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol approved in the EU?
4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol is on the EU Union List of flavouring substances as FL 04.053 (Annex I Part A) under Regulation 1334/2008.
Has JECFA evaluated 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol?
Yes. JECFA number 722, evaluated at the 55th meeting in 2000. Conclusion: No safety concern at current levels of intake when used as a flavouring agent.
What is 4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol used for?
4-Methyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol is described as sweet, fruity, herbal, woody. It shows up in beverage, confection, flavoring and baked goods.
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Sources and attribution. The identity and regulatory facts on this page are taken from the FDA Substances Added to Food inventory, a US government record, which lists this substance as 4-METHYL-2,6-DIMETHOXYPHENOL under CAS 6638-05-7 and carries its FEMA number, its JECFA flavor number. The inventory is searchable at FDA. FDA records its technical effect as flavoring agent or adjuvant.
A FEMA GRAS conclusion is reached by the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association of the United States, and the FEMA number names that conclusion. FEMA publishes its own entry for this substance in the FEMA Flavor Library, which is the authoritative record of what the Panel decided and is worth reading alongside this page.
Ambrose Compliance is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by FEMA. FEMA and FEMA GRAS are used here as identifiers for a published regulatory determination, not as marks of any relationship between FEMA and Ambrose.
About this page. Facts come from the FDA Substances Added to Food inventory, the Code of Federal Regulations, the EPA TSCA Inventory, the EU Union List, JECFA and the Ambrose database, with FEMA's published determination cited where it applies; parts of the text are written by Ambrose AI, which can make mistakes. Check the cited source before relying on anything here. This is not regulatory or legal advice.