Diacetyl is an organic compound found in foods and additives that are used for dairy flavoring.
Foods containing diacetyl can be found in a variety of products but is most commonly associated with popcorn because of the substance’s connection to “popcorn-lung” — Bronchiolitis obliterans.
While diacetyl can be found naturally in some foods, it is most common in processed food products that contain flavoring additives.
Diacetyl was found in all lots and kinds of cheese examined.
Common Foods Containing Diacetyl
Diacetyl is most prevalent in processed foods that contain butter flavoring.
It is used as a flavoring agent in butter, butter sprays, margarine, shortening, oil, oil sprays and other butter-flavored substances.
If a product is advertised as having “buttery flavor,” then that product likely contains diacetyl.
These products commonly include:
- Popcorn
- Potato chips
- Crackers
- Corn chips
Diacetyl is also used as a brown flavor sweetening additive in products such as:
- Chocolate
- Cookies
- Cocoa-flavor products
- Gelatin
- Candy
- Flour mixes
- Syrup with flavoring
- Frostings
- Chewing gum
- Ice cream
- Soft drinks
- Sauces
Along with processed foods, diacetyl occurs naturally in some foods and beverages.
- Dairy products such as milk, cheese, yogurt and butter
- Beer and wine – found in the fermentation of alcohol
- Honey and most fruits
- Coffee, coffee beans, coffee grounds which has been linked to Coffee Worker Lung Disease
- Animal foods
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FAQ
Does all cheese have diacetyl?
What foods are high in diacetyl?
How do you avoid diacetyl?
Is diacetyl in cream cheese?
Is diacetyl a constituent of cheese aroma?
Both Crocker (2) and Davies et al. (6) have indicated that diacetyl could be a possible constituent of cheese aroma. In listing the various flavors of cheese, Davis (7) referred to the buttery aroma and sug- gested that the substance responsible was diacetyl.
Is cottage cheese good for diabetics?
Cottage cheese can be a great snack for people with diabetes, or also to add to your preparations. A half-cup (about 112-gram) serving of small-curd cottage cheese provides several vitamins and minerals, 13 grams of protein and only 4 grams of carbs.
How much Diacetyl is in Cheddar cheese?
Diacetyl was found in all lots and kinds of cheese examined. The majority of the lots contained less than 0.05 mg. of diacetyl per 100 g. of cheese. The diacetyl content of Cheddar cheese ranged from 0.016 mg. to 0.335 mg. per 100 g. of cheese. A small quantity of diacetyl probably contributes to the typical flavor of Cheddar cheese.
What is diacetyl in food?
PRICE Department of Dairy Industry, University of Wisconsin Diacetyl is a prominent element in the flavor of many food products. This is true particularly of food products that are produced by a fermentation process. Prill et al. (9) have discussed the various properties of diacetyl as well as its higher homologues.