Tag: Ethylene glycol

Despite persistent rumors, the toxic substance ethylene glycol is not used in ice cream or any other food product. This common misunderstanding stems from confusion with a related, but safe, food additive called propylene glycol.

Over the years, a persistent online rumor has claimed that Pop-Tarts and other popular snacks contain antifreeze, sparking concern among consumers. This myth, however, is false, and the confusion stems from a misunderstanding of a common food additive. This article investigates the ingredients in Pop-Tarts to determine if they put antifreeze in Pop-Tarts and clarifies why this myth isn't true.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), propylene glycol is a food additive that is "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) for use in foods at certain levels. However, this classification doesn't stop many people from asking, "Is propylene glycol bad for me?", with concerns often stemming from its chemical ties to antifreeze.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the synthetic liquid substance propylene glycol is classified as 'generally recognized as safe' (GRAS) for use in food, though it is also a component in some non-toxic antifreeze. This is why the viral claim, 'Is antifreeze an ingredient in ice cream?', is based on a misunderstanding of a common, regulated food additive.

The rumor that soda contains antifreeze has circulated for years, despite the fact that ingesting industrial antifreeze can be lethal. The good news is that no beverage manufacturer uses toxic antifreeze in their products. The confusion likely stems from the presence of a safe, food-grade additive that shares some properties with industrial coolant.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified propylene glycol as "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) for decades, enabling its use in food production. Examining why is propylene glycol allowed in food requires looking past its industrial applications to understand its functional roles and the rigorous safety regulations that govern its use.