ABSTRACT
An improved method for the analysis of propylene glycol (PG) in foods using a gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector (GC-FID), with confirmation by GC-MS, was validated by measuring several analytical parameters. The PG concentrations in 1073 products available in Korean markets were determined. PG was detected in 74.1% of the samples, in a concentration range from the limit of detection (n.d., 0.39 μg ml−1) to 12,819.9 mg kg−1. The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2011–2013 reported the mean intake levels of PG from all sources by the general population and consumers were 26.3 mg day−1 (0.52 mg kg−1 day−1) and 34.3 mg day−1 (0.67 mg kg−1 day−1), respectively. The 95th percentile intake levels of the general population and consumers were 123.6 mg day−1 (2.39 mg kg−1 day−1) and 146.3 mg day−1 (2.86 mg kg−1 day−1), respectively. In all groups of the general population, breads were the main contributors to the total PG intake. These reports provide a current perspective on the daily intake of PG in the Korean population.
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Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.