Flavor ingredient regulatory record
bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide
bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide is a thiol in the sulfur family, FEMA GRAS under FEMA number 3260 (CAS 28588-76-3). Its odor is garlic, onion, pungent, earthy.
- FEMA
- 3260
- CAS
- 28588-76-3
- JECFA
- 1068
- EU FL
- 13.017
- Formula
- C10H10O2S4
GRAS status: FEMA GRAS, publication 5. Recorded by FDA in the Substances Added to Food inventory under CAS 28588-76-3.
Structure
Identity
Also known as: Furan, 3,3′-tetrathiobis[2-methyl-, 3,3′-Tetrathiobis[2-methylfuran], Bis(2-methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide, bis(2-methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide, 2-methyl-3-furyl tetrasulfide, 3,3'-tetrathiobis(2-methylfuran), tetrasulfide, bis(2-methyl-3-furyl)-, furan, 3,3'-tetrathiobis(2-methyl-, furan, 3,3'-tetrathiobis[2-methyl-, 3,3'-tetrathiobis[2-methylfuran], bis(2-methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulphide, bis(2-methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide [fhfi].
Can bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide be labeled natural?
bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide occurs in nature, so the label depends on the route: bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide won from a natural source by a physical, enzymatic or microbiological process is natural flavor in the United States, and synthesized bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide is artificial. The EU and UK follow the same logic without a middle class; Mercosur and Mexico label synthetic bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide 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
bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide is FEMA GRAS under FEMA number 3260. 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 13.017, Annex I Part A under Regulation (EC) 1334/2008, evaluation status approved (EFSA). The UK retains the same list.
JECFA (WHO / FAO)
JECFA number 1068, evaluated at the 68th meeting in 2007. no safety concern at current levels of intake.
Other US flags
Not on the California Proposition 65 list.
Odor and taste
Odor: Garlic, onion, pungent, earthy.
Where it is used
bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide is used in savory dishes, seasoning blends, sauces and snacks, typically as a sulfur note.
Structurally similar flavor ingredients
Flavor ingredients with a GRAS determination closest to bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide by structure. Whether one can replace it is a sensory and regulatory call; the reformulation tool works that through.
| Material | FEMA | Similarity | Occurrence |
|---|---|---|---|
| bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) disulfide | 3259 | 83% | In nature |
| 2-Thienyl disulfide | 3323 | 72% | In nature |
| 2,2'-(Dithiodimethylene)difuran | 3146 | 72% | In nature |
| Phenyl disulfide | 3225 | 67% | In nature |
| 2,5-Dimethyl-3-thiofuroylfuran | 3481 | 66% | Not determined |
More thiols in this index
S-Methyl benzothioate · Benzyl mercaptan · 3-Mercaptohexanol · 2,3 or 10-Mercaptopinane · Diisoamyl disulfide · Methyl mercaptan
bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide FAQ
Is bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide on the FEMA GRAS list?
It is. FEMA number 3260 covers bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide. It is also codified at 21 CFR 172.515.
What is the FEMA number for bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide?
The FEMA number for bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide is 3260 and its CAS registry number is 28588-76-3. FEMA files it in the sulfur flavor category.
Is bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide natural or artificial?
Since bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide is found in nature, US labeling follows how it was obtained: natural flavor from a natural source and a natural process, artificial when bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide is synthesized. The EU and UK follow the same logic without a middle class; Mercosur and Mexico label synthetic bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide identical-to-natural.
Is bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide approved in the EU?
bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide is on the EU Union List of flavouring substances as FL 13.017 (Annex I Part A) under Regulation 1334/2008.
Has JECFA evaluated bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide?
Yes. JECFA number 1068, evaluated at the 68th meeting in 2007. Conclusion: no safety concern at current levels of intake.
What is bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide used for?
bis-(2-Methyl-3-furyl) tetrasulfide is described as garlic, onion, pungent, earthy. It shows up in savory dishes, seasoning blends, sauces and snacks.
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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 BIS(2-METHYL-3-FURYL) TETRASULFIDE under CAS 28588-76-3 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.