Does Propel Contain Propylene Glycol? A Deep Dive into Ingredients

November 24, 2025 •

3 min read

While many processed food and beverage products contain propylene glycol, the ingredient list for Propel varies significantly depending on the product type. This article clarifies whether Propel contains propylene glycol by examining its different forms and discussing the use and safety of this common additive.

Quick Summary

Analyzes Propel's various products, including bottled waters and mix packets, to determine the presence of propylene glycol and explain its function as a food additive.

Key Points

Ingredient Variation: Not all Propel products are the same; bottled water and powder mixes do not contain propylene glycol, while some older liquid enhancers did.
FDA Approval: The FDA classifies propylene glycol as 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS) for use as a food additive.
Not Antifreeze: Confusion often arises between safe, food-grade propylene glycol and the highly toxic ethylene glycol, which is used in automotive antifreeze.
Food Additive Roles: Propylene glycol acts as a solvent for flavors and colors, a humectant to retain moisture, and a stabilizer in many packaged foods.
High-Dose Risks: Health concerns, such as acidosis or allergic reactions, are primarily linked to extremely high intravenous doses of medicine, not normal dietary intake.
Safe for Most: For the vast majority of the population, consumption of propylene glycol at the low levels found in food is not a health risk.

The Definitive Answer: Ingredients Vary by Product

For most modern Propel products, particularly the ready-to-drink bottled water and zero-calorie powder packets, the answer is no—they do not contain propylene glycol. However, some older or specific formulations, particularly certain liquid water enhancers, have listed propylene glycol as an ingredient. This nuance is crucial for consumers to understand, as the term 'Propel' covers a range of products with slightly different ingredient compositions.

Checking Ingredient Lists

Current Propel bottled water and powder mixes do not contain propylene glycol. Some past formulations of Propel liquid enhancers did include propylene glycol. Always checking the specific product label is recommended to confirm ingredients.

The Role and Safety of Propylene Glycol in Food

Propylene glycol is a synthetic alcohol used as a food additive with various functions. It can serve as a solvent for flavorings and colors, a humectant to help retain moisture, and a stabilizer or thickener.

FDA Status and Safety Thresholds

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deems propylene glycol 'Generally Recognized as Safe' (GRAS) for use in food. The World Health Organization (WHO) sets an acceptable daily intake at 25 mg per kilogram of body weight. Obtaining toxic doses through diet is considered highly improbable.

Why the Confusion with Antifreeze?

Concerns about propylene glycol sometimes arise due to its presence in certain non-toxic antifreezes. The toxic chemical found in traditional automotive antifreeze is ethylene glycol, which is distinctly different.

Propylene Glycol vs. Ethylene Glycol Comparison


Feature	Propylene Glycol	Ethylene Glycol
Toxicity	Very low acute oral toxicity in humans; considered safe for food use.	Highly toxic to humans and animals upon ingestion.
Food Use	FDA-approved as a food additive (GRAS).	Never used in food products due to toxicity.
Function	Used as a solvent, humectant, and stabilizer.	Primarily used in industrial applications, such as high-temperature coolants.
Breakdown in Body	Metabolized into harmless components like pyruvic acid.	Metabolized into highly toxic compounds, such as glycolic and oxalic acid.

Health Considerations for High Doses

Health concerns are infrequent and generally associated with extremely high intravenous doses of medications where PG is used as a solvent, not from typical food consumption. Certain individuals, such as those with kidney or liver conditions and infants, may face a higher risk due to potentially less efficient processing. Allergic contact dermatitis is also a possibility for a small number of people.

Conclusion: Checking the Label is Key

The presence of propylene glycol in Propel is product-specific. Current bottled water and powder packets do not contain it, although some older liquid enhancers did. Propylene glycol is a recognized safe food additive, separate from the toxic ethylene glycol. Normal dietary intake is generally not a concern, but individuals with sensitivities should always review ingredient labels. For further information, consult the {Link: International Food Information Council (IFIC) website https://ific.org/resources/articles/what-is-propylene-glycol/}.

The Takeaway: Check the Label, Not the Brand

The specific Propel product determines whether it contains propylene glycol. It is absent in current bottled water and powder mixes. Given the FDA's safety assessment for low dietary intake, it's generally not a concern, but label reading is recommended for those with sensitivities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Currently, the standard bottled Propel water and powder mix packets do not contain propylene glycol. However, some older versions of Propel's concentrated liquid water enhancers did list it as an ingredient.

For most people, ingesting the small amounts of propylene glycol found in food products is not harmful. The FDA considers it a safe food additive.

Propylene glycol is a low-toxicity synthetic alcohol, safe for food use, while ethylene glycol is a highly toxic chemical never used in food products.

It serves several functions, including dissolving flavors and colors, retaining moisture (humectant), and stabilizing ingredients to prevent separation.

Yes, a small percentage of people have a sensitivity or allergy to propylene glycol, most often experienced as contact dermatitis from topical products. In rare cases, ingestion can cause a rash.

People with specific health conditions, such as kidney or liver disease, and infants may process propylene glycol less efficiently. They should be cautious with high-dose medicinal uses, but normal dietary intake is generally not an issue.

Always read the ingredient list on the product label. Processed and packaged foods are more likely to contain it, often listed as 'propylene glycol' or 'E1520'.