What is propylene glycol used for? Is it harmful to the human body?

Propylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, slightly viscous liquid with a texture slightly thicker than water and almost no taste. It is a chemically synthesized food additive and belongs to the alcohol class like ethanol.

What is propylene glycol used for?

As an organic solvent, propylene glycol dissolves some organic solutes better than water and can lock moisture well. Due to these special chemical properties, it is widely used in cosmetics. Propylene glycol can usually be used as a moisturizer, softener, solvent, etc. It has excellent moisturizing and use effects and can be used in almost all cosmetics, especially water, lotion, cream, mask and other products.

In addition to the cosmetics field, it is also indispensable in the food field. According to the "GB 2760-2014 National Food Safety Standard Food Additives Use Standard", the functions of propylene glycol are: stabilizer, coagulant, anti-caking agent, defoamer, emulsifier, moisturizer, thickener.

Is propylene glycol harmful to humans?

Propylene glycol is a legal food additive in my country. With such a wide range of applications, is it toxic? According to national standards, the safe intake of propylene glycol is in accordance with the standards set by the International Joint Expert Group on Food Additives, that is, the daily intake per kilogram of body weight should not exceed 25 mg.

For an adult weighing 70 kg, the maximum daily intake should not exceed 1.75 grams. At present, when propylene glycol is used as an additive in the production of cakes and other pastry foods, the practice is basically to limit the content to no more than 3 grams per kilogram of food.

Propylene glycol can be approved for use as a food additive and has passed a strict safety assessment. Under the "standardized usage scenarios and intake", "long-term consumption" will not cause harm to health.

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