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E943b (Isobutane) – Food Additive Propellant

E943b is an approved food additive (isobutane) used as a propellant gas in food products. It is commonly found in spray cans and is considered safe when used as intended.

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Things worth knowing about "E943b"

E943b is an approved food additive (isobutane) used as a propellant gas in food products. It is commonly found in spray cans and is considered safe when used as intended.

What is E943b?

E943b refers to the food additive isobutane (also known as 2-methylpropane), a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable hydrocarbon gas. It belongs to the category of propellant gases and is used in the food industry to propel products out of pressurized containers, such as whipped cream sprays and other sprayable food products.

Chemical Properties

Isobutane is a saturated hydrocarbon (alkane) with the chemical formula C₄H₁₀. It is an isomer of n-butane (E943a) and is also widely used in technical applications as a refrigerant and propellant. Only highly purified isobutane is used as a food additive.

Use in Food Products

E943b is used as a propellant gas in pressurized containers and spray cans. Its function is to expel the food product from its packaging without being transferred into the food itself or affecting its flavor. Typical applications include:

Whipped cream in spray cans
Cooking spray oils and pan release sprays
Other sprayable food products

Approval and Regulation

E943b is authorized in the European Union under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated isobutane as a propellant for specific food categories and classified it as safe when used appropriately. No specific Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) value has been established, as the amounts ingested are considered toxicologically negligible.

Safety and Health Assessment

When used as intended as a propellant gas in food, E943b is considered safe for human health. The gas does not remain in the food itself but merely propels it from the container. However, the following points are relevant:

Flammability: Isobutane is highly flammable. Spray products must therefore not be used near open flames or heat sources.
Inhalation: Direct and intensive inhalation of the gas can have a narcotic effect and should be avoided.
Allergies: No allergic reactions to E943b are known.

Labeling

Foods containing E943b must declare this in the ingredient list in accordance with EU labeling regulations, either under the name isobutane or the E-number E943b.

References

European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives.
EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS): Re-evaluation of propane (E 944), butane (E 943a), isobutane (E 943b) and dimethyl ether (E 943c) as food additives. EFSA Journal, 2018.
Fawell, J. & Nieuwenhuijsen, M. J.: Contaminants in drinking water. British Medical Bulletin, 68(1), 199-208, 2003.

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