E943b

Isobutane

What the research shows

Prototype

Not enough

published research on this page yet

How we decide

A colourless, odourless gas.

It is used to make other chemicals in the petrochemical industry.

Written from English Wikipedia1

  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian
  • EU permitted

What research says

Study type not stated

  • No harm found

    Propellant gases in sprays2

    Scientists found isobutane and similar gases in food sprays raise no safety concern at current use levels.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least two findings in people. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.

Regulatory status

Checked Sep 2026

Status reflects the named register on the date checked. It is not a safety rating. A country appears here once we've found this ingredient on its official list.

How we check

Products

The 6 most-scanned of 55 products on Open Food Facts that list isobutane.

  • Canola Oil Cooking Spray Kirkland Signature · 482 g 3 additives
  • Extra Virgin Olive Oil Great Value · NET WT 7 OZ (198 g) 3 additives
  • Enduit à Cuisson Antiadhésif Original PAM · 110 g 2 additives
  • Pam Cooking Oil Butter Flavour Spray imp 141 4 additives
  • Soft Curls Shaping Mousse Pantene 4 additives
  • Bakers baking spray B&G Foods Inc · 5 OZ 4 additives

References

  1. 1Isobutane. Wikipedia. Accessed September 26, 2026.
  2. 2Castle L, Andreassen M, Aquilina G, et al. Re-evaluation of butane (E 943a), isobutane (E 943b) and propane (E 944) as food additives. EFSA J. 2025;23(1):e9203. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9203