E637 / Flavour enhancers
Ethylmaltol
Safety in brief
Safe
Recorded EatMatrix rating, not a new clinical review. The amount, your sensitivities and country rules still matter.
- Watch for
- No allergen or sensitivity is recorded for this ingredient here. Check the whole product label; this is not an allergen-free guarantee.
- Our advice
- Read the whole food label and consider how often you eat the product. A name or E number does not tell you the amount, and an ingredient rating cannot assess the entire food.
What it is
Ethyl maltol is a synthetic flavor compound with a sweet, caramelized-sugar and cotton-candy aroma, used in candies, baked goods, beverages, and syrups to enhance perceived sweetness and round out flavor. It is also used in perfumes and cosmetics for its pleasant sweet scent. EFSA and the FDA consider it safe as a food additive at typical use levels.
Also appears on labels as: Ethyl maltol, E637, E 637, E-637, 2-Ethyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one, 2-Ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyrone, Flavor enhancer E637, Sweet enhancer ethyl maltol, Food additive ethyl maltol, C7H8O3, INS 637, Etilmaltolis.
Dietary information
- Vegan
- Yes
- Halal
- Yes
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Allergens
- None recorded
Recorded ingredient information. Check the product label or certification: sources, other ingredients and cross-contact can vary.
Research & body effects
Health notes from our ingredient record
- Generally recognized as safe at typical food levels; no significant toxicity concerns identified in regulatory reviews.
- As a flavoring that enhances perceived sweetness, it may indirectly encourage higher consumption of sweet, energy-dense foods.
Other references from our ingredient record
These links come from the original ingredient record. They are separate from the source reviews above and have not all been checked for the exact ingredient, amount consumed or claim. Dates are shown newest first.
- Safety evaluation of ethyl lauroyl arginate (E 637) as a food preservative — EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF), EFSA Journal (2019). The Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF) provided a scientific opinion on the safety of ethyl lauroyl arginate (E 637, LAE) when used as a food preservative. The Panel established an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 5 mg/kg body weight per day and concluded that there is no safety concern for the general population when LAE is used as a food additive at the proposed use levels.[safe]
- Ethyl lauroyl arginate: antimicrobial efficacy and safety in food preservation — Ruckman SA, Rocabayera X, Borzelleca JF, Sandusky CB, Food and Chemical Toxicology (2004). A comprehensive study on the antimicrobial efficacy and safety of ethyl lauroyl arginate (E 637) in food preservation. The research included extensive toxicological studies demonstrating the safety of LAE when used as a food preservative. The study supported the establishment of safe use levels for this preservative in various food applications.[safe]
Country rules
Country checks for E637
Permission depends on the market, type of food, amount and conditions. A scientific opinion or an E-number alone does not establish a legal use. These checks are separate from the stored EatMatrix rating.
Compare all eight markets and their sources
| Market | What is checked |
|---|---|
| European Union | No exact code match in the Annex II Part B list (version 2026-08-18, read 2026-10-07). Identity, subform and legal-use review are pending. This does not establish a permission or a ban. |
| Great Britain | No verified exact register record in this review. Identity and current use rules need checking; missing a record does not establish a ban. |
| United States | Complete current-use review pending. Any scoped provision in the label guide above applies only to the stated use. FDA explains the applicable food-additive and GRAS framework. |
| Northern Ireland | Review pending. Check the applicable EU rules and territory arrangements; the GB register alone does not establish this status. FSA guidance is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Canada | Exact use and legal category need confirmation No exact named additive row was found for this flavour-related ingredient. CFIA distinguishes flavouring preparations from food additives; a flavour-related E-number alone does not establish that the actual preparation qualifies for that exclusion. EatMatrix reading: Confirm the chemical identity, formulation and intended flavouring role under the relevant Canadian rules. Neither an MSG statement nor an NHP ingredient entry establishes food permission for this preparation. Name and category review: . This describes the legal source check, not a finding that the ingredient is safe, unsafe or untested. Sources and names checkedNames checked: Ethylmaltol. All 15 Health Canada permitted-additive lists were checked by exact name, with the reviewed alternatives above. E-numbers alone are not Canadian ingredient names. The Justice Canada consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026. A complete product decision also requires its composition, specifications, intended food and use, quantities, applicable separate provisions and any later changes. |
| Australia | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| New Zealand | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Japan | Review pending. The relevant list, identity and use standards need an additive-specific check. CAA food-additive lists is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
Sources & review status
Check what each source covers: an authority’s conclusion, a research finding and a country’s legal permission answer different questions.
What this guide covers
- Original ingredient record
- 2 research links; newest recorded date: . Sources added separately to this guide are not included in this count.
This guide brings together our ingredient record and the dated sources shown here. Missing information describes a gap in this guide; it does not mean an ingredient is untested, safe or harmful. This is not a complete review of every study, preparation or current country rule. The amount in a product and how it is used still matter.
How to read the ratings, research and country checksAgency labels recorded by EatMatrix
These are imported database classifications, not verified current statements from each authority. Use the dated official sources below for their actual scope and conclusions.
| Authority | Database label |
|---|---|
| FDA | Safe |
| WHO | Safe |
| FSANZ | Safe |
Database updated: . What does an E number mean on a food label?
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is EatMatrix's recorded rating for E637?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E637 (Ethylmaltol) is “Safe”. It is calculated from labels stored in our ingredient database. These labels are not verified current regulator decisions or country permissions. A database update date is not a scientific review date.
Is E637 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Ethylmaltol — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E637 and why is it used?
Ethyl maltol is a synthetic flavor compound with a sweet, caramelized-sugar and cotton-candy aroma, used in candies, baked goods, beverages, and syrups to enhance perceived sweetness and round out flavor. It is also used in perfumes and cosmetics for its pleasant sweet scent. EFSA and the FDA consider it safe as a food additive at typical use levels.
Does E637 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Ethylmaltol.
Read the whole label.
Scan a food label with EatMatrix on iPhone to look up its ingredients in the app.
Ingredient research, by email
Join the list for food additive research updates. Unsubscribe any time.
This page shows information and classifications recorded in our ingredient database. Current scientific and market-specific verification remains pending as described above. It is general information, not medical advice.