Ethyl Maltol
This is what the ingredient is.
Ethyl maltol is a synthetic derivative of maltol with a stronger sweet flavor enhancement effect.
Here is why it shows up on the label.
Used as a flavor enhancer and sweetness potentiator in beverages, candies, and baked goods. Provides cotton candy-like sweetness.
Here is what food agencies say.
The FDA lists it as Generally Recognized as Safe. European food agencies allow it, with a suggested daily limit of up to 1 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Permitted internationally.
Here is what research has found.
an FAO/WHO expert committee reviewed safety. More potent than maltol. Extensively used in food and flavor industries.
Here are a few things worth knowing.
Generally safe at approved levels. Used in very small quantities due to potency.
Sources
- FDA CFR 21
- EFSA Panel on Food Additives
- JECFA
How to read this page
We publish plain facts about this ingredient so a label is easier to read. This is not medical advice, and it is not a recommendation to buy, avoid, or use anything. For a personal health question, talk with a clinician who knows your history.