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E943aGlazing agentLow concern
Butane
In plain words
The short version
A hydrocarbon propellant that pushes food out of aerosol cans such as cooking-oil sprays.
Why it's green
It's widely considered safe at the amounts used in food, so we mark it green. The Safety section below has the details.
Safety profile
JECFA allocated no ADI because data were lacking (1979). In 1999 the EU's Scientific Committee on Food found no toxicological concern for its use in cooking sprays, given the low residues left in food. Food grade is purified to remove impurities.
The detail
A hydrocarbon gas from natural gas and petroleum refining; food grade is highly purified.
A propellant in aerosol food sprays — cooking-oil sprays and similar products — where it forces the contents out of the can.
Colourless flammable gas, liquefies under modest pressure.
Permitted in the EU, the US, and globally as a propellant.
Sources
- JECFA database — Butane (INS 943) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1979. JECFA allocated no ADI because of lack of data
- Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/874 — use of butane (E 943a), isobutane (E 943b) and propane (E 944) in colour preparations — Publications Office of the EU (Official Journal), 2017. Safety: SCF found no toxicological concern given low residues; 1 mg/kg residue limit in colour sprays
- Commission Regulation (EU) No 1129/2011 — Union list of food additives (Annex II to Reg. 1333/2008) — Publications Office of the EU (Official Journal), 2011. EU: permitted in oil pan sprays and water-based emulsion sprays
- 21 CFR 184.1165 — n-Butane and iso-butane — US eCFR (FDA). US: affirmed GRAS as propellant, aerating agent and gas
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.