Flavor ingredient regulatory record
Heptanal glyceryl acetal
Heptanal glyceryl acetal is an aldehyde in the fruity family, FEMA GRAS under FEMA number 2542 (CAS 72854-42-3). Its odor is fruity, green apple, floral, sweet.
- FEMA
- 2542
- CAS
- 72854-42-3
- JECFA
- 912
- EU FL
- 06.029
- EC
- 276-947-0
GRAS status: FEMA GRAS, publication 3. Recorded by FDA in the Substances Added to Food inventory under CAS 977043-66-5.
Structure
Under review
The structure for Heptanal glyceryl acetal is still under identity review, so no drawing is shown until the record is confirmed.
Identity
Also known as: Heptanal, cyclic acetal with 1,2,3-propanetriol, heptanal glyceryl acetals, heptanal, cyclic acetal with glycerol, heptanal, cyclic acetal with 1,2,3-propanetriol, heptanal glyceryl acetal (mixed 1,2 and 1,3 acetals) [fhfi], mixture of 2-hexyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane and 2-hexyl-5-hydroxy-1,3-dioxane, 1-heptyloxy-3-hydroxypropan-2-one.
Can Heptanal glyceryl acetal be labeled natural?
Nature occurrence: Not yet found in nature (provisional).
Nature occurrence has not been settled for this substance, so the natural or artificial class is not stated here. The FEMA GRAS status does not depend on it.
Regulatory status, with citations
United States
Heptanal glyceryl acetal is FEMA GRAS under FEMA number 2542. 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 06.029, Annex I Part A under Regulation (EC) 1334/2008, evaluation status approved (EFSA). The UK retains the same list.
Purity. Mixture of acetals (56-58% dioxolane; 37-39% dioxane) and 1-2% unreacted heptanal
JECFA (WHO / FAO)
JECFA number 912, evaluated at the 57th meeting in 2001. no safety concern at current levels of intake.
Other US flags
Not on the California Proposition 65 list.
TSCA Inventory status
A flavor ingredient is also an industrial chemical. Heptanal glyceryl acetal appears on the EPA Toxic Substances Control Act Chemical Substance Inventory under CAS 72854-42-3, where EPA names it Heptanal, cyclic acetal with 1,2,3-propanetriol.
Inactive in US commerce
EPA designates this substance inactive, so a Notice of Activity Form B is required before anyone manufactures or processes it again. Being FEMA GRAS does not change that. What active and inactive mean.
EPA publishes no regulatory flags on this listing. What the flags mean.
From the EPA non-confidential TSCA Inventory, July 2026 release. EPA also maintains a confidential portion it does not publish. Search the Inventory by CAS number.
Odor and taste
Odor: Fruity, green apple, floral, sweet.
Where it is used
Heptanal glyceryl acetal is used in beverage, confection, fruit flavors, bakery and dairy, typically as a fruity note.
Structurally similar flavor ingredients
Flavor ingredients with a GRAS determination closest to Heptanal glyceryl acetal by structure. Whether one can replace it is a sensory and regulatory call; the reformulation tool works that through.
| Material | FEMA | Similarity | Occurrence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heptanal propyleneglycol acetal | 4368 | 84% | Not determined |
| trans-2-Hexenal glyceryl acetal | 4273 | 82% | Not determined |
| gamma-Undecalactone | 3091 | 69% | In nature |
| gamma-Decalactone | 2360 | 68% | In nature |
| (+/-) 3-Methyl-gamma-decalactone | 3999 | 62% | In nature |
More aldehydes in this index
Hept-2(trans)-enal · 2-Methyl-2-octenal · 2-Hydroxy-4-methylbenzaldehyde · 2,4-Nonadienal · Dodec-2-(trans)-enal · 4-Methyl-2-pentenal
Heptanal glyceryl acetal FAQ
Does heptanal glyceryl acetal have FEMA GRAS status?
Heptanal glyceryl acetal holds FEMA GRAS status under FEMA number 2542. It is also codified at 21 CFR 172.515.
How do I cite heptanal glyceryl acetal by FEMA or CAS number?
Cite heptanal glyceryl acetal as FEMA 2542 or CAS 72854-42-3; both point to the same entry. FEMA files it in the fruity flavor category.
Can heptanal glyceryl acetal be used in the EU and UK?
Heptanal glyceryl acetal is on the EU Union List of flavouring substances as FL 06.029 (Annex I Part A) under Regulation 1334/2008.
Has JECFA evaluated heptanal glyceryl acetal?
Yes. JECFA number 912, evaluated at the 57th meeting in 2001. Conclusion: no safety concern at current levels of intake.
What does heptanal glyceryl acetal smell and taste like, and where is it used?
The odor of heptanal glyceryl acetal is fruity, green apple, floral, sweet. Typical uses are beverage, confection, fruit flavors, bakery and dairy.
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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 HEPTANAL GLYCERYL ACETAL (MIXED 1,2 AND 1,3 ACETALS) under CAS 977043-66-5 and carries its FEMA number, its JECFA flavor number and its 21 CFR citations. 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.