Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormChemical (Solid)
Industry PositionFood additive (chemical preservative/antioxidant)
Market
Thiodipropionic acid (CAS 111-17-1) is listed by the U.S. FDA as a substance added to food with the technical effect of an antioxidant. In the United States, thiodipropionic acid is codified in 21 CFR 182.3109 as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in food when the total antioxidant content does not exceed 0.02% of the fat or oil content of the food and when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice. The FDA’s ingredient/packaging inventories also cite multiple indirect (food-contact) regulations where thiodipropionic acid may be authorized for specific intended uses, so regulatory scope depends on whether the use is direct-in-food versus packaging/food-contact. Commercially, this is primarily a B2B, specification-driven market where buyer qualification typically hinges on documented regulatory fit-for-use and batch-level quality documentation.
Market RoleDomestic consumer market with regulated food-additive and food-contact (indirect additive) uses
Domestic RoleRegulated antioxidant/preservative ingredient used under GRAS conditions of use and, separately, in specified food-contact applications where authorized
Specification
Physical Attributes- CAS Registry Number: 111-17-1
- Molecular formula: C6H10O4S
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Chemical manufacturing and purification → batch quality testing/COA → packaging → distribution to industrial (food and/or food-contact materials) users
Freight IntensityLow
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighMisapplication outside the U.S. codified GRAS conditions of use for thiodipropionic acid (including exceeding the condition that total antioxidants not be over 0.02% of the fat or oil content of the food) can render finished foods non-compliant in the U.S. market and expose suppliers and downstream users to enforcement, recalls, and customer delisting.Tie every sale to an intended-use statement (direct food vs. food-contact), require a formulation-level compliance check against 21 CFR 182.3109 conditions (including aggregate antioxidant calculations), and document GMP controls and batch COAs.
Regulatory Compliance MediumRegulatory scope confusion between direct-in-food use and indirect (food-contact) use can lead to incorrect compliance claims; FDA inventory pages list multiple CFR citations that must be interpreted against the specific intended use conditions in each regulation.For food-contact uses, verify the exact CFR citation(s) and applicability to the intended polymer/coating system and conditions of use; keep a regulatory memo or counsel sign-off for customer audits.
Documentation Gap MediumIndustrial buyers may reject or quarantine lots when identity/purity documentation and traceable lot records are insufficient for their supplier-qualification and audit requirements, even if the substance is listed in U.S. inventories.Maintain lot-level traceability, provide COAs with identity tests aligned to customer specs, and keep change-control notifications for process or site changes.
FAQ
Is thiodipropionic acid authorized for use in food in the United States?Yes. In the U.S., thiodipropionic acid is codified in 21 CFR 182.3109 as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in food under specified conditions of use.
What key use-limit condition applies to thiodipropionic acid in U.S. food use?Under 21 CFR 182.3109, it is GRAS for use in food when the total content of antioxidants is not over 0.02% of the fat or oil content of the food (including essential/volatile oil content), and when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice.
Where can I verify whether thiodipropionic acid is also listed for U.S. food-contact (indirect additive) uses?The U.S. FDA’s 'Inventory of Food Contact Substances Listed in 21 CFR' page for thiodipropionic acid lists the CFR citations to consult for authorized indirect additive (food-contact) uses and intended-use conditions.
Is thiodipropionic acid also listed as GRAS for animal feed use in the U.S.?Yes. Thiodipropionic acid appears in 21 CFR 582.3109 (animal food/feed context) with a GRAS tolerance statement aligned to the antioxidant content condition and good manufacturing or feeding practice.