Food-Grade Propylene Glycol
In food processing, Food-grade propylene glycol primarily serves as an excellent solvent, helping to dissolve additives like colorings and preservatives that are poorly soluble in water, thereby ensuring the even distribution of flavor and color. Meanwhile, it is frequently used as a humectant, emulsifier, thickener, and anti-caking agent. It effectively retains moisture and maintains the soft texture of foods such as pastries, candies, and fresh wet noodles, preventing them from drying out and hardening.
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CAS No.: 57-55-6
Specification Available: FCC
MOQ: 20KGs
Basic Information of Propylene Glycol
Basic Information
Appearance:
odorless, viscous liquid
Colour:
Clear, Colorless,
Specifications of Propylene Glycol
| Items | Result |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | 1,2-Propanediol |
| Appearance | Clear, colorless, odorless, viscous liquid |
| Assay (Purity) | ≥ 99.5% or ≥ 99.8% |
| Water Content | ≤ 0.2% |
| Density (25°C) | 1.035 ~ 1.037 g/ml |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 5 ppm ~ 10 ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤ 1 ppm ~ 3 ppm |
| Chlorides | ≤ 70 ppm |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤ 50 ppm ~ 80 ppm |
Sources of Food-Grade Propylene Glycol
1. Dominant Source:
Petrochemical PO Hydration Process (82% Global Capacity, Premium Food-Grade Standard)
1.1 Upstream Feedstock Origin: Crude Oil / Naphtha
Crude oil fractional distillation extracts propylene as the core base feedstock.
Propylene is converted into Propylene Oxide (PO, direct feedstock for PG) via two technologies:
Co-oxidation Process (high-purity feedstock): No chlorine residue, dedicated for food-grade PG production.
Chlorohydrin Process (industrial-only): Contains chlorine and aldehyde impurities, strictly forbidden for food-grade manufacture.
1.2 Core Synthesis Reaction\(\mathrm{C_3H_6O + H_2O \rightarrow C_3H_8O_2}\)
Low-pressure catalytic hydration is the exclusive process for food-grade crude PG:
Mild reaction at 60–100℃ under atmospheric pressure with weak acid catalyst, minimal by-products, low impurity baseline for easy subsequent purification.
High-pressure non-catalytic hydration generates excessive polypropylene glycol by-products, mostly used for industrial grade.
1.3 Exclusive Food-Grade Purification Process (Key Difference from Industrial Grade)Crude PG must undergo multi-column vacuum distillation to meet food safety standards:
4-stage distillation system removes light impurities (residual PO, acetaldehyde, methanol), water, toxic ethylene glycol/diethylene glycol, heavy fractions (dipropylene glycol).
Class 10,000 clean workshop, 316L stainless steel pipelines & independent storage tanks to avoid cross-contamination with industrial oil & heavy metals.
Strict compliance with GB 1886.268, FCC, FDA GRAS: Purity ≥99.8%, ethylene glycol ≤0.01%, heavy metals (Pb, As) ＜0.1ppm, odorless, transparent color.
Pros & Cons Advantages:
Mature stable production, consistent batch quality, max purity up to 99.99%, ideal for food flavors & premium bakery.
Drawbacks:
Feedstock relies on fossil oil, price fluctuates with crude oil & propylene market.2. Secondary Petrochemical Source: DMC Transesterification Co-productionFeedstock OriginDimethyl Carbonate (DMC) is synthesized from methanol, PO & CO₂, with PG as co-product.Production Features
Lower production cost, widely adopted by mid & small manufacturers.
Natural ester odor in crude product, requires extra activated carbon deodorization & deep aldehyde removal to reach food grade.
Higher impurity control difficulty, mainly applied in frozen food & candy, rarely used for premium edible flavor carriers.
2. Emerging Green Source
Bio-Based Food-Grade PG (Bio-PG, Organic / Halal Food Dedicated)Zero fossil feedstock, all raw materials derived from plant oil & biomass sugar.Route 1: Hydrogenolysis of Biodiesel Crude Glycerin (Main Bio-Based Route)
Feedstock Traceability:
Soybean, rapeseed, palm oil or waste cooking oil transesterified into biodiesel; crude glycerin is a mass by-product of biodiesel industry.
Process:
Refined glycerin reacts with hydrogen over Cu-based catalyst to generate 1,2-PG, then separated from 1,3-PDO isomers via multi-stage distillation.
Strengths:
100% plant carbon, 65% lower carbon emission vs petro-PG, eligible for USDA BioPreferred, organic & halal certification, ultra-low heavy metal residue.
Limitation:
30%–60% higher cost than petro-based PG, limited global capacity & unstable supply.
Route 2: Microbial Fermentation from Biomass Sugar (Lab & Small Pilot Scale)Raw materials: Corn starch, straw hydrolyzed glucose/xylose. Engineered Klebsiella & E. coli ferment sugar into PG. Not fully commercialized yet, only used in high-end organic health supplements.4. Obsolete / Restricted Sources (Not Allowed for Food-Grade PG)
1,2-Dichloropropane hydrolysis: Residual halogen & chloride ions, only for industrial antifreeze.
Vintage coconut oil hydrogenation recovery: Uncontrollable purity, fully phased out.
Diluted industrial PG blending: Excessive ethylene glycol & heavy metals, illegal for food additives.
Product Applications of Propylene Glycol
1. Fragrance & Flavor Industry: Top Use – Solvent & Carrier
How it works
Most food flavors, oil-based colorants and oil-soluble preservatives cannot mix with water. If you add them directly into drinks or sauces, they will separate, turn cloudy and lose even flavor.
Propylene glycol has both water-loving and oil-loving properties. It connects oil and water, so oily flavors spread evenly across water-based products.
Specific applications
Base liquid for flavor concentrates
It’s the go-to carrier for beverage, bakery, ice cream and meat paste flavors. It replaces alcohol – no alcoholic taste, low volatility and non-flammable.
Dissolve oil-soluble food colors
Oil-based colors like carmine and tartrazine dissolve well in propylene glycol first. Mix this pre-mix with water for drinks or jelly, and you won’t see uneven color clumps.
Boost performance of preservatives
Preservatives such as parabens, sorbic acid and dehydroacetic acid barely dissolve in water. Pre-dissolve them with propylene glycol for even distribution, and their anti-mold effect rises by over 30%.
Lock in flavor during high heat
Alcohol boils off easily during baking or sterilization, taking flavor away with it. Propylene glycol boils at 187°C, so flavors stay intact under high temperatures.
Common products: Beverage essences, bakery pastes, meat marinade flavors, food-grade vape juices, compound seasoning flavors
2. Bakery & Pastry: Keep Soft, Prevent Cracking, Extend Shelf Life
Lock moisture to keep baked goods tender
Propylene glycol binds free water inside dough and pastries to stop moisture loss:
Sponge cakes & chiffon cakes: Stay soft for 3 days without drying out or crumbling
Mooncakes & flaky pastries: Crusts won’t crack or harden; fillings stay moist
Soft bread & toast: Slows stale texture and extends shelf life
Stop starch from going stale
Starch hardens as it cools due to crystal formation. Propylene glycol slips between starch molecules to block recrystallization and delay staleness.
Cut mold growth & reduce preservatives
It lowers water activity (Aw value), making it hard for bacteria and mold to grow. You can use less potassium sorbate, removing bitter aftertaste from extra preservatives.
Make dough easier to shape
Pastry dough becomes softer and stretchier. It won’t tear when rolling out, for cleaner, nicer finished shapes.
Regulation limit: GB 2760 caps its use in pastries at 3.0g per kg of finished product.
3. Ice Cream & Frozen Foods: Anti-freeze, Smooth Texture, No Grainy Ice Crystals
Stop large ice crystals from forming
Propylene glycol freezes at -59°C. It breaks up big sharp ice crystals when added to frozen treats and fillings:
Ice cream, sorbet & slushies: Ultra-smooth texture without crunchy ice chunks
Frozen dumpling filling, fruit puree: No hard solid blocks during storage; thawed fillings stay juicy and moist
Stabilize mixed oil-and-water drinks
Milkshakes, ice milk tea and dairy blends won’t separate into oil and water even when kept cold.
Stop frozen wrappers from cracking
Dumpling and siu mai skins stay intact in freezers, and remain soft after steaming.
4. Drinks & Alcohol: Clear, Stable, Smoother Taste
Keep blended drinks uniform
Prevent oil floating and fruit pulp settling in fruit juice, plant milk and creamy drinks, so the mixture stays consistent and clear long-term.
Soften harsh bitter/spicy notes
In liquor, fruit wine, energy drinks and sports drinks, it masks harsh burn from alcohol, caffeine and tannins for a smoother, gentler sip.
Carrier for concentrated fruit syrups
High-strength fruit concentrates use propylene glycol to carry flavors and colors, so they mix seamlessly with water without separation.
Lock aroma in carbonated drinks
Flavors stick better inside soda, so the scent doesn’t fade quickly once you open the bottle/can.
5. Candy, Chocolate & Jelly: Easy Molding, Non-Sticky, Moist & Glossy
Gummy candy & jelly
Traps moisture so gummies don’t harden or stick to wrappers. It adjusts jelly firmness for bouncy texture and stops white sugar crystal bloom on the surface.
Chocolate & filled sweets
Keeps fillings moist and prevents white fat bloom on chocolate shells. It lowers syrup viscosity for smoother pouring during production.
Marshmallow & nougat
Stops sugar from drying out and turning hard, maintaining a chewy soft texture.
6. Meat Products, Marinades & Ready Meals: Juicier Meat, Longer Freshness, Stronger Flavor
Lock meat moisture for tender, plump texture
Braised meat, ham, sausages and meatballs retain juice during cooking, so they shrink less and never taste dry or tough.
Extend shelf life naturally
Lower water activity suppresses mold and spoilage bacteria, keeping meat fresh longer in cold or room-temperature storage.
Carrier for meat flavor concentrates
BBQ oils and meat pastes dissolve evenly in propylene glycol, so rich flavors don’t evaporate during boiling or stewing.
Stable pre-packaged meal sauces
Sauces in frozen ready meals won’t split into oil and water, and taste consistent after reheating.
7. Sauces, Condiments & Jam: Stable Mixture, Anti-Mold
Salad dressing, ketchup, garlic sauce & compound seasonings: Evenly spread chili oil and flavor oils, no oil separation over time.
Jam & fruit fillings: Stop fruit pectin from drying and cracking, prevent mold spots on the surface.
Hot pot base & chili oil: Dissolve chili essence and savory flavors for consistent spicy taste in every bite.
8. Health Supplements & Functional Drinks
Oral liquids & probiotic drinks: Dissolve fat-soluble vitamins A/D/E and DHA fish oil to stop oil-water separation.
Thick nourishing pastes (pear syrup, bird’s nest paste): Lock moisture, slow spoilage.
Chewable tablets & pressed candy: Acts as mild binder and moisturizer, so tablets don’t crack or soak up ambient moisture.
9. Food Processing Aids (Indirect Food Contact)
Carrier for non-stick mold sprays: Helps release oil spread evenly on baking trays, so cakes don’t stick.
Food-grade lubricant carrier for production machinery.
Diluent for fruit & vegetable preservation sprays: Makes fresh-keeping agents coat produce evenly.
Instructions for Use of Food-Grade Propylene Glycol
Detailed Regulations in the European Union (EU)
In the EU, propylene glycol as a food additive is regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, with its specific uses and maximum limits further detailed by subsequent amendments.
Core Use:
In the EU, propylene glycol is primarily approved for use as a carrier for food additives. This means it is not a general-purpose additive that can be directly added to all foods.
Specific Limits:
In the final food product, the total content of propylene glycol carried over from carriers shall not exceed 1,000 mg/kg.
In food enzyme preparations, its maximum content can reach 500 g/kg.
For all beverages, the total content of propylene glycol is strictly limited to no more than 1,000 mg/L.
Other Applications: Beyond its use as a food additive, propylene glycol is also used in the production of food contact materials and articles (e.g., packaging), which is governed by a separate set of regulations (such as Regulation (EU) No 10/2011).
Detailed Regulations in the United States (US)
In the US, food-grade propylene glycol has broader applications and is recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS).
Wide Applications: Propylene glycol can be used as an anticaking agent, antioxidant, emulsifier, humectant, solvent, flavoring agent, and for various other functional purposes as a food additive.
Categorized Limits: The FDA has established very specific regulations for the use of propylene glycol, setting different maximum usage levels for various food categories:
Alcoholic beverages: ≤ 5%
Candies and frostings: ≤ 24%
Frozen dairy products: ≤ 2.5%
Nuts and nut products: ≤ 5%
Flavorings and flavoring extracts: ≤ 97% (very high, as it is commonly used as a solvent)
All other foods: ≤ 2% (i.e., 20,000 mg/kg)
Consensus and Differences in Safety Assessment
Although the regulatory rules differ, regulatory authorities on both sides have concluded, based on scientific evaluations, that the use of propylene glycol within their respective prescribed limits and applications is safe.
International Safety Standard: The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for propylene glycol of 25 mg/kg body weight/day. However, some more conservative studies have suggested a possible permissible daily intake (pADI) of 62.5 mg/kg body weight/day.
Scientific Evaluation Support: A study published in 2025 pointed out that even under the worst-case scenario (brand-loyal consumers), the intake of propylene glycol from beverages is far below the aforementioned safety standards. For example, the study suggested that even if the propylene glycol content in beverages were as high as 3,000 mg/kg, the estimated intake for different age groups would still be close to or below the safety thresholds. This contrasts with the EU’s stricter limit of 1,000 mg/L, indicating its more prudent regulatory approach.
Overall Safety:
Provided that Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are followed, propylene glycol has a long history of use as a food additive and is considered to be of low toxicity. Nevertheless, it is classified as a low-toxicity substance and should be used within the prescribed limits.
Why choose Chempora N-ACETYL-L-CYSTEINE ?
Choosing Chempora Food-Grade Propylene Glycol offers several advantages:
Premium Quality: High purity, consistent quality, and rich in proteins, fats, and essential vitamins.
Nutritional Benefits: Provides excellent emulsification, improving texture in sauces, baked goods, and more.
Versatility: Ideal for food & beverage, animal feed, and cosmetics.
Convenience: Long shelf life, easy to handle and store.
Certifications: Halal, Kosher, and ISO certified for global market compliance.
Reliable Supply: Efficient, global supply chain and sustainable sourcing.
Technical Support: Expert team available for formulation advice and customization.
Choose Chempora Food-Grade Propylene Glycol for a reliable, high quality, and cost-effective solution.If you want to know more details about Sorbitol, please contact us or leave us a message.
Contact Us
CHEMPORA CO., LIMITED
Contact Person: Mr. Stephen Dean
Tel: 0086-21-5893 0128
WhatsApp & Wechat: +86 150 2666 5594
E-mail: info@chempora.com
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