E944 - Propane

At a glance

• What it is: a simple hydrocarbon gas (C3H8) used as a food-grade propellant.
• Where it’s used: aerosol cooking sprays, sprayable oils, whipped toppings, and similar foamed or sprayable foods.
• How it works: pressure in the can forces the food out; propane flashes to gas and dissipates.
• Safety: authorized in the EU with specifications; EFSA found no safety concern at current uses and use levels.
• Diets: contains no animal-derived material; suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets.
• Home use tips: keep aerosol cans away from heat, sparks, and flames due to flammability.

Why is propane added to food?

Propane provides the push needed to dispense foods from aerosol cans. It maintains can pressure, helps form fine sprays or foams, and then quickly evaporates so the product reaches the plate without remaining propellant. In the EU, it is specifically authorized as a propellant under additive rules and must meet detailed purity criteria.¹

What foods contain propane?

You are most likely to encounter propane in:

• Aerosol cooking oil sprays
• Sprayable oil-and-vinegar dressings
• Whipped toppings and spray creams
• Some specialty dessert foams and toppings

In these products, propane functions only as a propellant, not as a flavor or preservative. The gas escapes as the product is dispensed, leaving little to no residue in the food as consumed.²

What can replace propane?

Several other propellants and gases can serve similar roles, depending on the product:

• Carbon dioxide (E290) for some beverages and foams
• Nitrogen (E941) for inert headspace and dispensing
• Nitrous oxide (E942) commonly used to whip cream
• Hydrocarbon propellants such as butane (E943a) and isobutane (E943b) for certain aerosols

Choice depends on the desired spray pattern, foam stability, solubility, and taste neutrality.

How is propane made?

Food-grade propane is derived from the same sources as fuel-grade propane but must meet stricter purity specifications for food use. Commercial propane is produced by separating it from natural gas streams and from petroleum fractions during crude oil refining. These processes isolate and purify propane along with other light hydrocarbons before final purification and packaging.³¹

Is propane safe to eat?

In the EU, propane (E944) is authorized as a food additive and must comply with identity and purity specifications set in Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.¹ The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) re-evaluated propane as a propellant and concluded that there is no safety concern at current uses and use levels. Because it evaporates rapidly, consumer exposure from food is expected to be very low.²

As with any aerosol product, the main household risk is not dietary but physical: propane is extremely flammable. Keep aerosol cans away from heat sources, avoid spraying near open flames or hot surfaces, and follow label directions.⁴

Does propane have any benefits?

• Enables convenient, controlled dispensing of sprays and foams
• Minimizes mechanical pumping parts in packaging
• Evaporates rapidly, helping preserve the product’s taste and texture
• Inert toward food under normal conditions, so it does not contribute flavor or nutrients

These functional advantages make it useful for home cooks and manufacturers alike.

Who should avoid propane?

• Anyone using aerosol products near open flames, pilot lights, or very hot cookware should switch off heat sources first because of flammability.⁴
• People sensitive to aerosols (respiratory irritation) may prefer non-aerosol formats like pump sprays.
• Workers handling large volumes of aerosolized products should ensure good ventilation and follow workplace safety rules.

There are no known allergen concerns specific to propane used as a food propellant.

Myths & facts

• “Propane stays in my food.” Fact: Propane boils at around –42°C and flashes off as the product is dispensed, so only negligible amounts contact the food itself under normal use.⁴²
• “Food-grade propane has fuel odor.” Fact: Food-grade propane must meet strict purity specifications; odorants used in fuel LPG are not permitted under food-additive specifications.¹
• “Propane changes the taste.” Fact: It is used for its physical effect (dispensing); it is not intended to impart flavor and dissipates immediately.²

Propane in branded foods

On ingredient lists in the EU, you’ll typically see “propellant: propane” or “E944.” Common examples include aerosol cooking sprays and whipped toppings. If you want to check, look at the end of the ingredient list where propellants are usually listed.

References

Footnotes

1. Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 — Specifications for food additives listed in Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/231/2016-03-02 ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

2. Re-evaluation of propane (E 944), butane (E 943a) and isobutane (E 943b) as food additives — EFSA Journal. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/1315 ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

3. Propane explained — Where propane comes from — U.S. Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/propane/where-propane-comes-from.php ↩

4. Propane — PubChem Compound Summary (CID 6334), NIH. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Propane ↩ ↩² ↩³