Foods Containing E1520 (Propylene Glycol)
E1520 (Propylene Glycol) is produced synthetically from petroleum, used as a humectant to help keep foods moist and stop them drying out. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E1520
E1520 is used across cakes, sweets, dried fruit, chewing gum and soft baked goods. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Cakes
- Sweets
- Dried fruit
- Chewing gum and soft baked goods
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E1520 is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E1520" or as "Propylene Glycol".
How to spot E1520 on a label
In the UK and EU, additives must appear in the ingredients list with their function and either their E-number or full name — for example "humectants: E1520" or "humectants: propylene glycol". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Propylene Glycol" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E1520?
E1520 is considered safe. It is authorised across the EU, UK and US, and safety evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have not identified health concerns at the levels used in food. For most people there is no reason to avoid E1520.
Full guide to E1520: safety, vegan and halal status →
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).