Food additive databaseflavoringChecked 2026-10-02

Lactones (except those generally recognized as highly toxic) ラクトン類（毒性が激しいと一般に認められるものを除く。）類番号18

Designated additiveEU: covered by the flavorings rules

Purpose: flavoring
On the label: “香料” (flavoring) (shown as a group name; the substance name is often not written)
Name in the List of Designated Additives: ラクトン類（毒性が激しいと一般に認められるものを除く。）類番号18 (No. 439)

In Japan

A category (category number 18) designated as flavoring substances; it is designated not as individual substances but as a group of chemical compounds called lactones (excluding those generally recognized as highly toxic). Under the standards for use, they cannot be used for any purpose other than adding aroma.
When used as a flavoring, the Food Labeling Standards allow it to be written with the group name “香料” (flavoring), so the substance name does not usually appear in the ingredient list.

Japan's standards for use

Must not be used for any purpose other than flavoring.

This is a summary of the standards for use. See the source list for the exact conditions.

In the EU

In the EU, flavoring substances are covered by the flavorings regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008), not by the list of food additives.

When it is labeled under a shared name

Lactones (except those generally recognized as highly toxic) may be declared on the label in the same way as “香料”. See Flavoring for details.

Sources

Checked 2026-10-02. Rules and evaluations change over time. This page is a translation of our Japanese page; if they differ, the Japanese page is the reference.

This page lists facts stated in laws and in evaluations by public bodies; it is not a safety verdict. Additives used in Japan are approved by the government, which sets the foods and amounts they can be used in. The ADI is a guide to the amount that is considered safe to take every day over a lifetime.

Other substances used as flavoring

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