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E637Flavor enhancerLow concern
Ethyl Maltol
In plain words
The short version
A stronger synthetic cousin of maltol — the intense sweet, cotton-candy / caramel aroma in many candies.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
ADI 2 mg/kg body weight (JECFA); safe at flavour-use levels.
The detail
A synthetic analogue of maltol, several times more potent.
A powerful sweet, caramel / cotton-candy aroma enhancer in confectionery, soft drinks, and desserts — the characteristic 'sweet' top-note of many candies.
White crystals with an intense sugary-caramel smell.
Not on the EU list of approved food additives (there is no authorised E 637), but ethyl maltol is authorised in the EU as a flavouring substance. Permitted in the US as a synthetic flavouring (21 CFR 172.515).
Sources
- WHO JECFA database — Ethyl maltol (INS 637), evaluation 2005 (ADI from 1974) — World Health Organization / JECFA, 2005. ADI 0–2 mg/kg bw (JECFA)
- Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II Part B (list of all additives), consolidated text of 18 August 2026 — Publications Office of the European Union, 2026. E 637 is not on the EU list of approved food additives
- Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008, Annex I Union list of flavourings, consolidated text of 16 February 2026 — ethyl maltol FL 07.047 — Publications Office of the European Union, 2026. Ethyl maltol is authorised in the EU as a flavouring substance
- 21 CFR 172.515 — Synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants, eCFR text as of 2026-10-13 — US eCFR / FDA, 2026. Permitted in the US as a synthetic flavouring
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.