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Furfural

Level 4 — Significant concernsIn Winter's Dictionary

Furfural is a flavoring — Solvent, insecticide, fungicide, synthetic flavoring in butter, butterscotch, caramel, coffee, rum

Also: Artificial Ant Oil, 2-Furaldehyde, Furfuraldehyde, Pyromucic Aldehyde, 2-Formylfuran

What it does

Solvent, insecticide, fungicide, synthetic flavoring in butter, butterscotch, caramel, coffee, rum

Where you'll see it

Beverages, ice cream, candy, syrups (up to 30 ppm); occurs in angelica root, apples, coffee, peaches

What the research says

Irritant of skin, eyes, mucous membranes, respiratory tract. Caused unsteadiness, paralysis, seizures, coma, liver damage in animals. Chronic dietary exposure caused liver cirrhosis in rats. Mutagenic in at least one bacterial system.

Regulatory status

  • US FDA: ASP
  • Notes: Listed as cancer-causing by Environmental Defense Fund

Sources

  • A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): yellow liquid with a peculiar odor. Occurs naturally in angelica root, apples, coffee, peaches, and skim milk