Question from Anne
Dear Debra and readers!
Recently a friend sent me information of “yumdrops” water flavoring drops that are supposed to be natural. They look wonderful, but if you dig hard enough to check the ingredients, they containpropylene glycol. How safe is this for those of us with MCS and candida? The site advertising it implies the drops are “natural” but this ingredient is both a degreaser and anti-freeze, food-safe or no! I can’t find anything that addresses it as a food ingredient (except in fortified milk). Is it likely to be a problem?
Debra’s Answer
You’re right, propylene glycol is both a degreaser and anti-freeze, so what’s it doing in a “natural” product?
Well, here’s an interesting piece from Tom’s of Maine about propylene glycol as a “natural” ingredient: Tom’s of Maine: Propylene glycol
It says “Propylene glycol is a derivative of natural gas. It is commonly used in a variety of consumer products and food products, including deodorants, pharmaceuticals, moisturizing lotions, and fat-free ice cream and sour cream products.”
OK. Since when is an ingredient derived from natural gas a natural ingredient. Natural gas is a fossil fuel. It is a mixture of gases that formed from the fossil remains of ancient plants and animals buried deep in the earth (the same stuff crude oil and petroleum and gasoline is made from). To say that a manmade ingredient made from natural gas is natural is like saying a manmade ingredient made from crude oil is natural.
Since the beginning of natural products, a natural product is one made from plants, animals, and minerals, not fossil fuels. There is no legal definition for this, but it’s been the standard practice. Apparently no more.
They go on to say “Propylene glycol is considered a safe and appropriate ingredient not just for cosmetic products, but also for ingested products like food and pharmaceuticals. It is on the US Food and Drug Administration’s list of ingredients which are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) and is recognized by the World Health Organization as safe for use.” And then they address the antifreeze argument.
“Propylene glycol is a derivative of natural gas…” Therefore, it is natural, since gas is natural. What about that DON’T you get?
I guess since crude oil is natural, I would encourage “Tom” to swish that around in his mouth as well. Oh, but “Tom” is not worried since he sold his company to Colgate in 2006 and by now is no doubt using whatever Prince Charles and the Queen use on their teeth.
This is a clear case of why EVERYONE who sells “natural” and “organic” products must be watched constantly. ALWAYS READ THE INGREDIENTS BEFORE EACH SUBSEQUENT PURCHASE. Find out what the delving questions are and ask them. I have learned the hard way. Lots of work, but necessary. One never knows when they may sell out figuratively or literally, sad to say.