Foods Containing E943a (Butane)
E943a (Butane) is a gas refined from petroleum, used as a packaging gases & propellant to help protect packaged food from spoilage or propel it from containers. Here's where you're most likely to find it on food labels.
Common foods that contain E943a
E943a is used across bagged salads, crisps, fizzy drinks, squirty cream and modified-atmosphere packs. The foods where it appears most often include:
- Bagged salads
- Crisps
- Fizzy drinks
- Squirty cream and modified-atmosphere packs
Exact usage varies by brand and recipe — the only way to know for certain whether a specific product contains E943a is to check its ingredients list, where it must be declared by law, either as "E943a" or as "Butane".
How to spot E943a 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 "packaging gases and propellants: E943a" or "packaging gases and propellants: butane". In the US the E-number system isn't used, so look for the full name "Butane" instead.
Should you avoid foods containing E943a?
E943a 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 E943a.
Full guide to E943a: safety, vegan and halal status →
This section contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Want to avoid E943a?
Additive-free eating
Cookbooks and guides for cooking without additives.
Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).