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E943bGlazing agentLow concern
Isobutane
In plain words
The short version
An isomer of butane used as an aerosol propellant in food 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
No ADI specified; a propellant that largely escapes and is not consumed in quantity.
The detail
A branched isomer of butane from petroleum refining; food grade is purified.
A propellant in aerosol food sprays, used like butane to expel the contents from the can.
Colourless flammable gas.
Permitted in the EU, the US, and globally as a propellant.
Sources
- 21 CFR 184.1165 — n-Butane and iso-butane — US eCFR (FDA). US: iso-butane affirmed GRAS as a propellant
- 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
- 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: low residues, no toxicological concern (SCF 1999); 1 mg/kg residue limit
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.