It is a flavoring ingredient and achieved a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status in 1995 by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). 2-Furoic acid has a distinct odor described as sweet, oily, herbaceous, and earthy. 
2-Furoic acid helps sterilize and pasteurize many foods. It forms in situ from 2-furfural. 2-Furoic acid is also formed during coffee roasting, with up to 205 mg/kg.