Loading…
Quick answer: Xanthan Gum carries the heavier risk profile. Propylene Glycol is — in the EU and — in the US; Xanthan Gum is allowed in the EU and allowed in the US.
| Property | Propylene Glycol | Xanthan Gum |
|---|---|---|
| EU status | — | Allowed |
| US status | — | Allowed |
| Risk level | — | low |
| Banned in | — | — |
| Restricted in | European Union (not permitted as a direct food additive in most food applications; only permitted as a carrier solvent for specific additives at low levels) | — |
| Category | additive | additive |
| Where it hides | — | Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Flour, Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing, Breyers Ice Cream |
Propylene glycol is a synthetic organic compound used as a humectant, solvent, and emulsifier in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial applications. It is produced from propylene oxide (derived from petroleum). Its chemical formula is C3H8O2.
Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by fermentation of sugars by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. It is a white to off-white powder that dissolves in cold or hot water to form a viscous gel. It is widely used as a thickener and stabilizer and is a key ingredient in gluten-free baking.
Propylene Glycol: Propylene glycol is generally considered safe by the FDA and is metabolized by the liver to lactic acid and pyruvate (normal metabolites). However, at high doses — particularly from intravenous pharmaceutical formulations — propylene glycol can accumulate and cause lactic acidosis, kidney toxicity, and CNS effects. These effects are seen in critically ill patients receiving high-dose PG-containing intravenous medications, not from food consumption. In children and people with impaired liver or kidney function, PG accumulation may occur at lower doses than in healthy adults. Animal studies have found reproductive and developmental effects at high doses. EFSA's 2018 re-evaluation found no concerns at typical food use levels but noted the EU limits PG use as a direct food additive, using it only as a carrier solvent for permitted additives.
Xanthan Gum: Generally recognized as safe by both FDA and EFSA. At high doses, xanthan gum can have laxative effects due to its fermentable fiber content, producing gas and bloating in some individuals. A 2011 case report in the journal Pediatrics raised concerns about xanthan gum in infant formula (as 'Simply Thick') being associated with necrotizing enterocolitis; the FDA subsequently advised against its use in premature infants. For healthy adults consuming normal food amounts, it poses no significant health risk.
Scan a barcode and we'll flag both Propylene Glycol and Xanthan Gum (plus 140+ other ingredients banned overseas).
Scan free →