What food is propylene glycol found in? A Nutrition Diet Guide

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies food-grade propylene glycol (PG) as "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) for its intended use. Understanding what food is propylene glycol found in is key for making informed dietary choices, as this synthetic liquid is a common additive in many processed products.

Quick Summary

Propylene glycol is a food additive used as a humectant and solvent in many processed foods like baked goods, beverages, and salad dressings. It extends shelf life and improves texture.

Key Points

Prevalent in Processed Foods: Propylene glycol is found in many processed and packaged foods, including baked goods, beverages, and dressings.
Functional Additive: Its primary functions are to retain moisture (humectant), act as a solvent for flavors and colors, and prevent ingredients from separating (emulsifier).
Regulatory Approval: Food-grade propylene glycol is deemed "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) by the FDA when used within established limits.
Not a Toxin: It should not be confused with ethylene glycol, the highly toxic substance used in industrial antifreeze.
Potential for Allergies: A small percentage of the population can experience allergic contact dermatitis from exposure to propylene glycol.
Hidden on Labels: As a solvent for flavors or colors, it may not be explicitly listed on the ingredients list.
Vulnerable Health Concerns: Individuals with kidney or liver disease, as well as infants and children, may be at higher risk for adverse effects from large doses, though dietary intake is typically not a concern.

What is Propylene Glycol?

Propylene glycol (PG), also known as propane-1,2-diol, is a colorless, odorless, and slightly sweet-tasting synthetic liquid. Derived from petroleum, it is classified by the FDA as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) and is used in a wide variety of foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. It is important to distinguish food-grade PG from its highly toxic chemical cousin, ethylene glycol, which is used in industrial antifreeze. While both chemicals can be used in antifreeze products, only the food-grade PG is considered safe for human consumption in regulated amounts.

Common Food Categories Containing Propylene Glycol

Because of its versatility, propylene glycol serves many purposes in food manufacturing, leading to its inclusion in a vast array of packaged and processed products. This is why anyone aiming for a cleaner or less processed diet may want to be mindful of this additive.

Baked Goods and Mixes

Propylene glycol's ability to retain moisture makes it a popular ingredient in many baked items to keep them soft and fresh for longer.

Cake mixes
Brownie mixes
Frostings and icings
Pre-packaged cakes and donuts
Breads

Beverages

In drinks, PG functions primarily as a solvent for flavors and colors, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the product.

Soft drinks
Powdered drink mixes
Flavored teas
Some alcoholic beverages

Dairy Products and Frozen Desserts

PG helps to create a smooth, creamy texture and prevent ice crystals from forming in frozen treats.

Ice cream and frozen desserts
Sour cream
Processed cheese products

Dressings, Sauces, and Condiments

As an emulsifier, PG is crucial for keeping ingredients like oil and vinegar from separating.

Salad dressings
Marinades
Sauces
Horseradish and steak sauce

Snacks and Confectionery

PG helps maintain moisture, prevent caking, and serve as a carrier for flavors in many snack items.

Flavored popcorn
Candy
Marshmallows
Shredded coconut

Other Processed Items

Seasoning blends
Dried soups
Food coloring
Artificial flavor extracts
Fast food

The Functional Role of Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is a multitasking additive that offers manufacturers numerous benefits in the production of processed foods. Its functions go beyond simple preservation and include:

Humectant: Attracts and retains moisture, preventing foods like cakes and baked goods from drying out.
Emulsifier: Helps to blend ingredients that would otherwise separate, such as oil and water, ensuring a consistent texture in products like salad dressings.
Carrier: Acts as a solvent to evenly distribute other additives, like flavors and colors, throughout a product. This is a key reason it may not always be explicitly listed on ingredient labels.
Anti-caking Agent: Prevents powdered ingredients, such as those found in soup mixes and grated cheese, from clumping together.
Stabilizer and Thickener: Gives body and structure to foods, maintaining a desired texture.

Propylene Glycol vs. Ethylene Glycol

The most common concern regarding propylene glycol is its mistaken association with ethylene glycol, a toxic compound found in industrial antifreeze. The following table clarifies the critical differences between the two.


Feature	Propylene Glycol (Food-Grade)	Ethylene Glycol (Industrial)
Toxicity	Very low; FDA classified as GRAS.	Highly toxic to humans and animals.
Use in Antifreeze	Used in non-toxic RV and marine antifreeze.	Primary ingredient in highly toxic automotive antifreeze.
Metabolism	Metabolized into harmless compounds and excreted by kidneys.	Metabolized into toxic oxalic acid, causing organ damage.
Use in Food	Permitted as a food additive (E1520) in regulated amounts.	Never used in food products.
Primary Function	Humectant, emulsifier, solvent for flavors/colors.	Industrial coolant and antifreeze.

Is Propylene Glycol Safe? Considerations and Regulations

For most healthy adults, consuming propylene glycol in typical dietary amounts is not a health concern. The body quickly metabolizes and excretes it, with no trace remaining within 48 hours. However, there are some important considerations for specific populations:

Vulnerable Populations: Infants, children, and individuals with liver or kidney disease may be more susceptible to negative effects from high exposure. High doses, usually from medication, can cause lactic acidosis due to the body's impaired ability to process it.
Allergies and Dermatitis: Some people have an allergy to propylene glycol. This can cause contact dermatitis, with a rash appearing on the face or body from food or cosmetic contact. For individuals with a known allergy, avoiding products containing PG is recommended.
Regulatory Variations: While the FDA considers PG safe for use in food, other regions, such as the European Union, enforce stricter limitations on how it can be used.

How to Minimize Propylene Glycol in Your Diet

For those looking to reduce their intake of this additive, particularly if they are sensitive to it or simply prefer less processed foods, there are several steps you can take.

Read ingredient labels carefully: Look for "propylene glycol" or its European additive number, E1520.
Beware of hidden sources: If PG is used as a carrier for another ingredient, like a flavor or color, it may not be listed separately.
Focus on whole foods: Since PG is primarily found in processed products, consuming a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins is the most effective way to minimize intake.
Make your own food: Prepare homemade salad dressings, sauces, baked goods, and drink mixes to control ingredients entirely.

Conclusion

Propylene glycol is a widely used food additive valued for its ability to improve the moisture, texture, and shelf life of processed products. Although approved as safe by regulatory bodies like the FDA in typical dietary amounts, it is not without consideration. Individuals with specific health conditions, known allergies, or a preference for an unprocessed diet should pay attention to food labels and consider reducing their consumption of heavily processed items. A diet built on whole foods is the most reliable strategy for minimizing your intake and ensuring complete control over the ingredients you consume. For more detailed information on food additives, you can refer to authoritative sources like Healthline.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, propylene glycol is not the same as the toxic chemical found in industrial antifreeze. The toxic component in industrial antifreeze is ethylene glycol. Food-grade propylene glycol has a very low toxicity level and is considered safe for human consumption in regulated amounts, while ethylene glycol is never used in food.

Propylene glycol serves multiple functions in food. Its primary roles include acting as a humectant to retain moisture, an emulsifier to prevent ingredient separation, and a carrier or solvent for food colors and flavors.

To identify propylene glycol in food, you should check the ingredients list on the product label. It may be listed as 'propylene glycol' or by its European additive number, E1520.

Yes, some individuals, particularly those with sensitive skin or existing allergies, may be allergic to propylene glycol. This can cause allergic contact dermatitis, resulting in a rash when exposed through food or cosmetics.

Propylene glycol is not banned in Europe. It is an approved food additive with the E-number E1520. However, the European Union has different, often stricter, regulations regarding its maximum permissible levels in food products compared to the United States.

For most healthy adults, consuming propylene glycol from food is not a risk, as the body processes and eliminates it quickly. Concerns typically arise only with very high intake from medications or in individuals with kidney or liver disease, infants, and children who metabolize it less efficiently.

To reduce intake, you should limit consumption of highly processed and packaged foods, including certain baked goods, cake mixes, flavored soft drinks, many salad dressings, and frozen desserts. Opting for whole, fresh foods and preparing meals from scratch are effective strategies.