Other additives · Food additive

Propylene glycol (E490)

Updated October 2, 2026

Propylene glycol (E490) is a food additive in the “other additives” group. It appears in 51 products in our database, 2 of them sold in the US.

Quick facts

Also known as
E490
E-number
E490
Function
Other additives
Found in
51 products (2 sold in the US)

Foods that commonly contain Propylene glycol

Desert 2% · 5
Groceries 0% · 3
Mixed herbs 3% · 2
Pound Cake 0% · 2
Flavors 1% · 2
Snacks 0% · 1
Cheesecakes with fruits 3% · 1
Sweet pies 1% · 1

Share of published products in each category whose ingredient list includes Propylene glycol.

Popular products with Propylene glycol

Surtido Alfajores Artesanales NOVA 4
Surtido Alfajores Artesanales
Entrelagos · 510 g
403 kcal
15 Fat g
40 Sugar g
0.2 Salt g
per 100 g · 5 g protein
6 allergens
NOVA 4
Boemboe nasi goreng
Toko Lien · 100 gram
248 kcal
13 Fat g
21 Sugar g
— Salt
per 100 g · 8 g protein
3 allergens
Yoohoo! Waffle crema di cacao e NOVA 4
Yoohoo! Waffle crema di cacao
Ambrosia · 50 g
389 kcal
14.6 Fat g
34.8 Sugar g
0.6 Salt g
per 100 g · 5.5 g protein
5 allergens
Erdnusssauce spicy NOVA 4
Erdnusssauce spicy
Red Phoenix · 350ml
234 kcal
11.7 Fat g
18.7 Sugar g
4.5 Salt g
per 100 ml · 6.3 g protein
3 allergens
СУХА ПАСТА ГАЛЕНА шам фъстък и кадаиф d NOVA 4
СУХА ПАСТА ГАЛЕНА шам фъстък и кадаиф
Галена
315 kcal
15.8 Fat g
28.4 Sugar g
0.1 Salt g
per 100 g · 3.4 g protein
5 allergens
Esencia de vainilla Universal NOVA 4
Esencia de vainilla Universal
Universal · 100 ml
80 kcal
0 Fat g
20 Sugar g
0 Salt g
per 100 ml · 0 g protein
1 allergen
Tarta al whisky d NOVA 4
Tarta al whisky
Reina · 2x100 g
248 kcal
12.6 Fat g
25.2 Sugar g
0.2 Salt g
per 100 g · 3.2 g protein
3 allergens
Budín Sabor Vainilla e NOVA 4
Budín Sabor Vainilla
Smams · 180gr
444 kcal
25 Fat g
25 Sugar g
0.4 Salt g
per 100 g · 5.6 g protein
Palm oil free 5 allergens
Braunichoc e NOVA 4
Braunichoc
Nutra Bien! · 35g
493 kcal
31 Fat g
34 Sugar g
0.5 Salt g
per 100 g · 5.1 g protein
5 allergens
Crackers NOVA 4
Crackers
Smams · 150 g
386 kcal
13 Fat g
— Sugar
1.7 Salt g
per 100 g · 0.3 g protein
Crackers (Appetizers)

Propylene glycol-free alternatives

Popular products from the same categories that don't list Propylene glycol and score Nutri-Score A–C.

Ube Boba Bar c NOVA 4
Ube Boba Bar
IMEI · 900 g
147 kcal
5.3 Fat g
20 Sugar g
0.1 Salt g
per 100 g · 1.3 g protein
1 allergen
Ketchup star c
Ketchup star
Star · 310 g
108 kcal
0.1 Fat g
22.4 Sugar g
0 Salt g
per 100 g · 1.1 g protein
Groceries
Marinara c NOVA 3
Marinara
Rao's Homemade · 56 oz
80 kcal
5.6 Fat g
3.2 Sugar g
0.8 Salt g
per 100 g · 1.6 g protein
Palm oil freeVegan
Marinara b NOVA 3
Marinara
Rao's Homemade · 24 oz
80 kcal
6.4 Fat g
4 Sugar g
0.8 Salt g
per 100 g · 1.6 g protein
Palm oil freeVegan
Classic Hummus a NOVA 3
Classic Hummus
Sabra · 284 g
233 kcal
20 Fat g
0 Sugar g
0 Salt g
per 100 g · 6.7 g protein
Palm oil freeVegan 1 allergen

How to spot Propylene glycol on a label

Look for any of these names in the ingredient list:

Propylene glycolE490

Related additives

Silicon dioxide · E551Glycerol · E422Acacia gum · E414Gelatine · E428Malic acid · E296Ammonium carbonates · E503 All other additives

Frequently asked questions

What foods contain Propylene glycol?

In our database, Propylene glycol most often appears in desert, groceries, mixed herbs and pound cake.

How many products contain Propylene glycol?

51 published products on Foodmetria list Propylene glycol, including 2 sold in the United States. Counts come from ingredient lists in Open Food Facts and update daily.

Product data: Open Food Facts (ODbL), updated daily. Additive information is for general education and is not medical advice. Always check the package label. Our methodology.