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Food Flavorings Containing Diacetyl

Diacetyl, a product of fermentation that also naturally occurs in foods like fruit and dairy products, is most popular for the buttery taste it adds to some products, according to the United States Department of Labor. The health risks of the chemical for people who manufacture products that contain it, such as the lung disease bronchiolitis obliterans, has recently caused certain companies to end their use of diacetyl.

  1. Artificial Butter Flavoring

    • The buttery taste of diacetyl makes it a popular addition to a number of food products, from snack foods to dinner entrees. Companies that use the chemical produce prepared frosting, cookies, crackers, corn chips and gelatin, according to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Some butter-flavored pancake and waffle syrups and cooking products, such as butter-flavored oils and sprays, also contain diacetyl.

    Artificial Strawberry Flavoring

    • The strawberry flavoring added to foods, like yogurt, ice cream and certain fast-food strawberry milkshakes, usually contains diacetyl as one of the chemical ingredients, according to information from the Feingold Association of the United States. Though it rarely contains strawberries, artificial strawberry flavor is widely used because it's a more cost-effective method of adding or enhancing the strawberry flavor in foods.

    Artificial Banana Flavoring

    • The chemical composition of artificial banana flavoring is similar to strawberry flavoring, with diacetyl acting as one of a number of chemicals in the ingredient list, according to The Flavorist Toolbox. Banana flavoring is added to a variety of processed foods calling for the taste and aroma of bananas, including cakes, pudding, frozen foods and pet food.

    Dairy Flavoring

    • A naturally occurring chemical in dairy products like milk and cheese, diacetyl is sometimes added to enhance the flavor of such products, according to information from the United States Department of Labor. Dairy products that use diacetyl include cheese, sour cream and dairy and cheese substitutes.

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