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Acetaldehyde

Moderate concern

Acetaldehyde is a genotoxic carcinogen. IARC classifies it as Group 1 (carcinogenic) when associated with consumption of alcoholic beverages, causing cancers of the esophagus, head and neck, and as Group 2B (possibly carcinogenic) on its own.

Found in

2 products

What it is

Simple aldehyde (CH3CHO), naturally present in many fruits and produced during fermentation; also used as a flavoring agent.

Flavoring agent providing fruity/ethereal notes; also an intermediate in alcohol metabolism.

Why it's flagged

carcinogenicity (esophageal, head and neck cancers, especially in alcohol context)
genotoxicity

What regulators actually say

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Regulatory status

United States — FDA

Permitted as a synthetic flavoring substance under 21 CFR 172.515.

European Union — EFSA

Authorized as a flavoring substance (FL-no 05.001) under EU Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008.

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