Yes, it almost has no side effects and its safety as a food additive has been approved by the FDA, EFSA and JECFA. Ethyl maltol is a synthetic flavoring substance and adjuvant that is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the FDA (2).

Ethyl maltol (FL-no: 07.047) is authorised for use as a flavouring agent in the EU according to Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 1334/2008 (3). Its safety used as a favouring agent was re-evaluated by the EFSA in 2010. EFSA established the same conclusion with JECFA that “No safety concern at estimated level of intake as flavouring substance” based on the Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intake (MSDI) approach (4).

An Acceptable daily intake (ADI) of “0-2 mg/kg bw” was set in 1974 by the JECFA. (5)

 

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