There are foods and drinks that contain the anti-freeze ingredient, propylene glycol.
Some of the ingredients listed on food products may sound like they are from a chemistry lab rather than a grocery store.Thousands of products, from salad dressing to dog food, contain some form of propylene glycol.This synthetic chemical helps products maintain their consistency and texture, which is why it is found in packaged consumables and household products.
propene is a chemical that comes from the fuel industry or the fermentation of plants.propylene oxide is converted into propene, a potentially harmful chemical that is also used to make plastic.Adding water to propylene oxide is called hydrolyzing it.
It is sometimes listed as a diol alcohol on some products.It's difficult to determine which products contain propylene glycol because it shows up on some ingredients listings.
propylene glycol is a clear, odorless liquid that is more syrupy than water.It doesn't add a lot of flavor to foods, which is one of the reasons why it's used in packaged food product, medications and personal-care goods.
It is beneficial to product manufacturers on many levels.The chemical is used to keep items moist and prevent caking.It is an anti-caking agent and can be used to keep dried and powdered items from sticking together.It also helps blend items together, such as the oil with the water-based ingredients in some salad dressings.
Increasing shelf life is one of the things that Propylene glycol uses.Even flavor and color distribution in packaged foods can be ensured with the addition of propylene glycol.It is used to make smoke for a smoke or fog machine and to improve the smoothness of e-cigarette liquids.
The paint, plastic and food industries use this chemical as a solvent.Other chemicals can be dissolved with solvent.
propylene glycol is used in food products that have a long shelf life.The FDA says that propylene glycol is safe for use in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
The US government regulates how much of this chemical is safe to eat.The European Union limits the amount of propylene glycol that can be used in food and beverages to 3 grams per kilogram.
An alcoholic beverage company received a bit of backlash in the European Union when it accidentally sent the U.S. version of a cinnamon whisky to several European countries.The drink was pulled from shelves in several countries because it contained too much propylene glycol.
Many foods have a laundry list of ingredients.Some of the more common packaged foods containing it include dried soups and seasoning blends, marinades and salad dressings and baking mixes for cakes, pancakes and muffins.Soft drinks, powdered drink mixes and alcoholic beverages may also contain propylene glycol.It is also used in some types of food coloring.
Fast foods, bread-based products, highly processed snack foods and cake frosting all contain Propylene glycol.This chemical can be found in pre-made baked desserts such as brownies, cakes and cupcakes.Some ice cream flavors contain a chemical.
Some cans of nuts, dried coconut shreds, and marshmallows all contain propylene glycol, which helps retain an acceptable moisture level in these foods.
For the same reasons that propylene glycol is used in packaged foods, it is also found in cosmetics and personal care products.The chemical helps prevent some cosmetics from drying out and caking.It is used in hair removal creams and hair dye products.
Some mascaras contain propylene glycol, as well as other products.In almost every aisle of a drugstore or grocery store, there is at least one product that contains propylene glycol.
In the pharmaceutical world, propylene glycol is used.propylene glycol increases the skin's ability to absorb whatever is applied to it, which could help medications work better.
Some skin irritation could occur among those who are sensitive to this chemical.This may happen if you have a lot of skin exposure to propylene glycol.If you are sensitive to propylene glycol, you can develop a rash even if you use a product that does not contain the chemical.
The fact that propylene glycol is used in both antifreeze and food products may come as a surprise.ethylene glycol was once used in many brands of antifreeze to lower the freezing point.
The sweeter smell of this chemical is due to it being much more toxic than propylene glycol.Pets and wildlife were attracted to the scent of the antifreeze and would drink it to their deaths.The switch to propylene glycol made the product safer and less appealing to pets.
It should not be left out where pets, children or even stray animals may consume it.Antifreeze is not designed for consumption.
Antifreeze, foods, medications and personal-care products are some of the things that contain propylene glycol.Coconut-oil-based soaps have this ingredient in them.It is in spray-based car tire inflators, vinyl and rubber conditioners, foaming tire protectants, automotive scratch removers and leather protectors.
Some hand cleaners are designed for garage use, as well as in air fresheners and construction glue.This chemical is found in foaming degreasers, floor sealants, wall spackling and crack repair products.Milk paint is one of the paints that contain propylene glycol.
There are many laundry detergents and stain removers that contain propylene glycol.This chemical is found in dish washing detergent, metal polish, and soap scum removers.
The U.S. National Library of Medicine has a list of common household products.Specific brand names are included in the list for easy reference.
Even though propylene glycol is generally considered safe, it may cause health concerns for people who are sensitive to it or have other health issues.The rest of the chemical is converted into lactic acid after it reaches the kidneys in a healthy human body.Exposure to safe levels of propylene glycol, even on a repeated basis, is not cause for concern for most people.
When a man drank the contents of an ice pack containing propylene glycol, which most likely was not of a food-grade quality and may have contained other potentially harmful chemicals, there was only one report of toxicity.The report did not indicate whether the man who became unconscious after consuming so much of a cinnamon whisky containing this chemical contributed to his condition.
If an otherwise healthy person is exposed to dangerously toxic levels of propylene glycol, they could end up with a build up of lactic acid, which could lead to failure of the kidneys.
As their bodies may not be able to process the chemical properly, individuals with kidney or liver disease may want to limit or completely avoid products containing propylene glycol.It is of concern for those with existing health issues to have high doses of lorazepam, as the medicine may introduce potentially problematic amounts of propylene glycol into the body over the course of a few days.
Pregnant women, infants and toddlers should avoid it.Compared to other people, these groups have low amounts of the enzyme that breaks down propylene glycol in the body, which means they could develop toxicity if exposed to large amounts.An infant takes three times as long as an adult to expel the substance from their body.Young children could be at risk of having seizures or irregular heartbeats if there is an oral or injectable solution containing large amounts of glycol.
It can be hard to tell if a product contains propylene glycol because it isn't listed on an ingredients label.A branded version of this chemical can be found, as well as the previously mentioned terms.
To avoid confusion, avoid products with terms similar to the ones mentioned.If unsure, use the internet to find out if it is really propylene glycol.