Questions and Answers about Propylene Glycol

What is propylene glycol? Propylene glycol is a common ingredient found in many products we use in our daily life. Propylene glycol and other substances such as baking soda are often used in common foods, it also have a variety of uses outside of food, such as serving as an ingredient in many pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and personal care products. Propylene glycol is added as a food ingredient to common products, such as frostings, candies, and even baked goods. It is used as a component in natural flavorings to help distribute the flavoring evenly throughout the product. Propylene glycol is a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) food ingredient, meaning it has been deemed safe for its intended uses in food. It was classified as GRAS by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) in 1973. Why is propylene glycol used in food? Propylene glycol is often used to maintain the moisture in prepared foods and works to maintain their flavor quality for longer periods of time. It is also found in flavorings, such as vanilla or almond extracts used in baking, and in some types of food coloring. Is propylene glycol safe? Yes, propylene glycol can be safely consumed. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives have reviewed scientific research on the safety of propylene glycol to ensure that it is safe for its intended uses in food. How is propylene glycol regulated in food? Propylene glycol is regulated by the FDA to ensure its safe use and consumption. FDA sets limits on the uses and amounts propylene glycol, and other ingredients that can be used in foods and beverages, to ensure safety. According to FDA, current consumption of propylene glycol is at a safe level and far below levels that would raise […]

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Cannabinoids as Food Ingredients

You may be shocked to know that cannabinoids can be used in baked goods, beverages and even condiments being served at your next BBQ or picnic. In the food ingredient sector, CBD and THC are leading trends in new food ingredients. Marketing experts, product developers and food scientists are on the cusp of creating a new generation of CBD-infused food and beverage must-haves. (Did you miss our article explaining the differences between CBD and THC? Read it here.) These products are being developed from three CBD-derived ingredients that are currently available to food companies. They are cannabis-infused butter, cannabinoid oils, and water-soluble cannabinoids. Each product has specific recommendations and uses. The Science of CBD-infused Products This next section will allow us to understand the science behind CBD-infused butter and oils. It may seem technical, but don’t give up. A little food science never hurt anyone! CBD-infused butter is made by infusing decarboxylated cannabis compounds into butter under low heat for a specific period. It’s then strained to remove any non-essential leftovers or impurities. During the decarboxylation process, which includes heat, the molecular structure of THCA is changed, thus activating the psychoactive components of THC in marijuana. That’s why raw leaves are non-psychoactive. THCA requires heat to convert into THC’s psychoactive state. But wait. What on earth is THCA? THCA is tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. It’s a cannabinoid that’s related to THC and can be technically described as the “precursor to THC.” Within the actual cannabis plant, THCA is produced before THC. It is then transferred through the decarboxylation process. This process includes heat, sunlight or even curing for an extended period. During this time the carboxylic acid – the A in THCA is removed, leaving behind THC. Cannabinoid oils are produced through several methods linked together from start to finish. Once extracted […]

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All About Sucralose

Download the Sucralose Fact Sheet for Consumers here Download the Sucralose CPE Self-Study Activity here Learn more about the Sucralose CPE Self-Study Activity here Why would I use a low-calorie sweetener? Almost everyone likes sweet taste. In fact, we’re born liking it. But sweet foods and drinks can add extra calories to our diet, which isn’t always kind to our waistlines. Low-calorie sweeteners provide sweetness without adding calories. Choosing lower-calorie versions of your favorite foods and drinks or sweetening your coffee or tea with a low-calorie sweetener instead of sugar are two ways to cut back on calories and sugar. What is sucralose? Sucralose is a no-calorie sweetener. It’s derived from sugar, but it doesn’t have calories like sugar. Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar, so very little is needed to provide the same sweetness. Therefore, only a small amount is used to sweeten chewing gum, drinks, dairy products, canned fruits, syrups and condiments.  How should I use it? Many of your favorite foods and drinks come in lower-calorie versions that might contain sucralose. Low-calorie sweeteners also come in small individual packets that are portioned to provide about the same level of sweetness as two teaspoons of sugar. You may have noticed these packets at restaurants or coffee shops. Sucralose is typically found in the yellow packets. Sucralose keeps its sweetness at high temperatures. If you’re a baker, this is good news! You can use sucralose to reduce the sugar and calories in your creations. Should I avoid sucralose? Sucralose was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for all food and beverage categories in 1999. It’s been proven safe for everyone from kids to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Like other low-calorie sweeteners, sucralose is also an option for people with diabetes because it offers sweetness without raising […]

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Coffee and Tea Can Hydrate, Too

While a steaming cup of coffee is probably not the first thing you would reach for after you cross the finish line of a marathon, it wouldn’t be the worst beverage choice. Coffee and tea often get a bad rap when it comes to hydration, but both—as well as other caffeinated beverages—can help us stay hydrated throughout the day. According to a 2004 National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine report titled Dietary Reference Intake: Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride and Sulfate, “about 80 percent of people’s total water intake comes from drinking water and beverages—including caffeinated beverages—and the other 20 percent is derived from food.” The report goes on to suggest that women consume an average of 2.7 liters (91 ounces) of total water—from all beverages and foods—each day, and men an average of 3.7 liters (125 ounces) of total water daily. Let’s conduct a brief review of hydration. A person is considered hydrated when the amount of fluid coming into their body is balanced with the amount going out. Every person has a different amount of fluid they need daily to meet their hydration needs, so it’s often difficult to offer a blanket recommendation. While eight 8-ounce cups daily are common advice and easy to remember, that suggested intake may not represent precisely what each person needs. In fact, the best way to know your hydration status is simply to look at the color of your urine. Pale yellow urine or clear urine typically indicates adequate hydration, while dark yellow or brown urine means a person isn’t getting quite enough fluid. Water, milk, juice, and other beverages, as well as juicy foods like fruits, all contribute to overall water intake. There is often confusion around coffee and tea since caffeine is classified as a diuretic, but both beverages can […]

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Beyond Tea and Coffee—New Sources of Caffeine

While coffee and tea take the cake when it comes to the world’s favorite caffeinated beverages, there’s much more in store beyond those two. I, for one, though a lifelong coffee fanatic, am always intrigued when my husband and I take road trips and he stops for some non-coffee caffeine to power him up for the long drive. Caffeine doesn’t appear solely in liquid form either—food innovators have amplified breakfast bars, desserts and candies into caffeine-containing fuel. In honor of Caffeine Awareness Month, let’s explore these other sources of caffeine. A Reminder on Recommendations Before you do a major taste test of all these new caffeine-containing products, it’s important to remember that caffeine is a stimulant and too much can be problematic if you’re not careful. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends adults consume no more than 400 milligrams daily. For pregnant and lactating women, the FDA recommends half that—200 milligrams total in a day. No recommendation is set for young adults or teens. Note that this is the maximum recommendation—not everyone can tolerate the same amount of caffeine in a single day. Every person will have a different level of sensitivity to caffeine, so you should closely monitor yourself for symptoms like upset stomach, feeling jittery and headache. It’s also recommended that consumers of caffeine moderate their caffeine intake on a daily basis. Needless to say, it might not be a great idea to try all these new foods and drinks in a single day. Newly Created Caffeinated Choices In addition to your morning cup of coffee or tea, you may find yourself needing some extra caffeine in the afternoon. While some turn to soda, iced coffee or iced tea, energy drinks and shots are growing in popularity. While an eight-ounce can of an energy drink may only […]

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The U.S. Food Supply Amid COVID-19

Amid the new normal of social distancing, video–call family reunions, and limited trips outside our homes, it seems that people are cooking more than usual. This may be the reason flour is flying off the shelves and yeast is nowhere to be found. Not only has the surge in stockpiling and buying more than we need put stress on grocery store employees and shoppers, but the entire food system is overwhelmed by the new challenges COVID-19 presents. While there has been no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted by food, limitations on human interaction and travel have forced food manufacturers and distributors to adjust without warning or preparation so that the world can continue to eat. The food supply adapts during emergency situations In the global emergency caused by the spread of COVID-19, the world’s food system has been forced to adapt quickly. While one of the most obvious changes may be that our favorite restaurants and cafes have been forced to close as a result of this pandemic, that’s just one piece of our food system. Farms, production warehouses, grocery stores, and every other part of the food supply chain have had to make adjustments in this unique time due to the restrictions in place limiting things like travel and the amount of people allowed in one space at one time. The federal government has identified many sectors as “essential critical infrastructure workers.” It has listed the types of jobs and people deemed essential to maintain infrastructure in society in order to keep things running so that our basic needs are met. This list includes healthcare professionals, law enforcement workers and public works employees who work to keep society healthy, safe and clean. Also listed are food and agriculture workers who are essential to keeping our society fed. The […]

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What is the DASH Diet?

Download the DASH Diet Fact Sheet Highlights The Basics of the DASH Diet The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet was developed in the 1990s as a result of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding multiple research projects to examine the impact of specific dietary interventions on blood pressure.¹ Research on the DASH diet remains important today given the high prevalence of Americans diagnosed with hypertension, a condition resulting from having consistent high blood pressure that increases the risk for heart disease and stroke.² The DASH diet provides guidance on types of foods to include daily or weekly as well as key nutrients to incorporate or minimize. The DASH diet promotes the consistent intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat dairy, lean meats, fish, poultry, beans, nuts and vegetable oils. Additionally, the DASH diet encourages limiting the intake of added sugars (including sugar-sweetened beverages) as well as foods that are high in saturated fat such as fatty meats, full-fat dairy, and tropical oils like coconut oil. Specific DASH diet recommendations for daily servings of food groups based on varying calorie needs are shown in Table 1. Table 1: Guidelines for the DASH Diet³ Food group Servings per day Serving sizes 1,600 calories 2,000 calories 2,600 calories Grains 6 6 to 8 10 to 11 1 slice bread ~1 cup dry cereal ½ cup cooked rice, pasta or cereal Vegetables 3 to 4 4 to 5 5 to 6 1 cup raw leafy vegetables ½ cup cut-up raw or cooked vegetables ½ cup vegetable juice Fruits 4 4 to 5 5 to 6 1 medium fruit ¼ cup dried fruit ½ cup fresh, frozen or canned fruit ½ cup fruit juice Fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products 2 to 3 2 to 3 3 1 cup […]

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What the Current Science Says About Hyperactivity and Food Colors

The color of our food can have a big influence on what and how we eat. A boring grey or brown slab doesn’t look appealing to most, which is why many food scientists and processors use food color additives to enhance the appearance of foods. All food color additives in the U.S. food supply are safe for human consumption, and counter to some news reports, there is limited science that food colors increase hyperactivity in children. This claim has not been proven, but research scientists continue to explore this potential connection. The safety of food color additives The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) assesses the safety of food additives, including food color additives, before they are allowed for use in the U.S. food supply. Following their rigorous safety assessment, the FDA will indentify whether or not particular color additives are safe for human food, cosmetics, and/or medical devices. Food color additives may include artificially created substances—such as blue, yellow, and red dyes—as well as naturally derived substances, such as beet or carrot extracts. The FDA determines a substance’s safety based on the amount expected to be consumed, its expected short- and long-term effects, as well as other factors. The recommended safe level for consumption is then typically set at a much lower level than is determined safest as a precaution in case someone consumes more than the recommendation. Since not all food consumed in the U.S. has been produced in the U.S., the Food and Agriculture Organizations of the United Nations and the World Health Organization have created the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) to assess the safety of any food additives that are internationally traded. This means that all foods produced and brought into the U.S. go through a rigorous process to determine safety before they […]

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