Is Propylene Glycol (Emulsifier) Safe?

Overview of Propylene Glycol (Emulsifier)

Propylene glycol is an organic compound with the chemical formula C3H8O2. It is typically a colorless, viscous liquid that is nearly tasteless with a faint sweet smell. It is miscible with water, ethanol, and various organic solvents. There are two isomers of propylene glycol, and without specific notation, it generally refers to 1,2-propylene glycol. It has stable chemical properties and certain hygroscopic properties, and both its toxicity and irritancy are very low.

As an organic solvent, propylene glycol (emulsifier) can dissolve some organic solutes better than water and can also maintain moisture well. Due to these special chemical properties, propylene glycol (emulsifier) is widely used.

• In the cosmetics industry, propylene glycol (emulsifier) is commonly used as a humectant, emollient, and solvent, with excellent moisturizing effects and performance. It can be used in almost all cosmetics, especially in water, lotion, cream, and mask products.

  
  

• In the food industry, propylene glycol is mainly used as a food emulsifier and is an excellent solvent for flavorings and colorants.

  
  

• In the pharmaceutical industry, propylene glycol is often used in the manufacture of various ointments and creams as a solvent and emollient.

Is Propylene Glycol (Emulsifier) Safe as a Food Additive?

Regarding food additives, China has issued detailed GB2760-2014 "National Food Safety Standard for Food Additive Use." The standard shows that the main functions of propylene glycol are as stabilizers, coagulants, anti-caking agents, defoamers, emulsifiers, and moisture retainers.

At the same time, propylene glycol (emulsifier) is recognized as "generally regarded as safe" (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and both U.S. and European food authorities have declared its use in food as generally safe.

In the U.S., it can be used as both a direct and indirect food additive. In Europe, it is permitted to be used in food as a solvent for colors, emulsifiers, antioxidants, and enzymes, allowing up to 0.45 grams per pound (1 gram/kg) in the final food product.

According to the safety standards set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), "the daily intake should not exceed 25 mg per kilogram of body weight." For a person weighing 60 kg, the daily intake would have to exceed 4.7 kg to be over the limit.

If calculated based on the 3g/kg data for pastries (assuming a pastry weighs 0.5kg), a person would need to consume nearly 3000 pastries daily to be over the limit.

Both of these amounts far exceed the normal levels of propylene glycol one would encounter in daily life.

So, there is no need to worry about exceeding the limit of propylene glycol (emulsifier) through normal consumption of compliant foods; it will not harm your health.