Propylene glycol intake measured in Korean foods and diets
What it found
Propylene glycol was found in most Korean food products tested, and average daily intake in people was low, with breads the main source.
What they found
Studies in people
Average daily intake
The general population took in an average of 26.3 mg per day, or 0.52 mg per kg of body weight per day. People who consumed products containing it averaged 34.3 mg per day, or 0.67 mg per kg per day.
High intake levels
At the 95th percentile, the general population took in 123.6 mg per day, or 2.39 mg per kg per day. Consumers at that level took in 146.3 mg per day, or 2.86 mg per kg per day.
Main food source
In all groups of the general population, breads were the main contributors to total propylene glycol intake.
Other findings
Detected in most foods
Propylene glycol was found in 74.1% of the 1073 products tested. Levels ranged from below the detection limit up to 12,819.9 mg per kg.
What the authors conclude
- They report that these findings give a current picture of daily propylene glycol intake in the Korean population.
How it was done
Scientists measured propylene glycol levels in 1073 products sold in Korean markets. They also used national survey data from 2011 to 2013 to estimate how much people actually took in each day.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This study measured how much propylene glycol people took in from food. It did not test whether that intake affects health.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, Korea
The paper
- Title
- Assessment of the dietary intake of propylene glycol in the Korean population
- Type
- Study
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- Lim HS, Hwang JY, Choi E, Lee GY, Yun SS, Kang T (2016). Assessment of the dietary intake of propylene glycol in the Korean population. Food additives & contaminants. Part A, Chemistry, analysis, control, exposure & risk assessment. doi:10.1080/19440049.2016.1209576PubMed 27389111DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error