The Roy Howard Community Journalism Center’s “What is True?” team investigated claims Chick-fil-A milkshakes contain propylene, a chemical found in gasoline and plastic. Propylene is said to cause cancer in mice.
We found the claim is misleading and mostly false.
Some Chick-fil-A milkshakes can contain trace amounts of propylene glycol. However, propylene glycol is a very common food additive regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Read the full fact-check below to learn what’s true about the ingredients in Chick-fil-A’s milkshakes.
Firstly, what is propylene? Propylene glycol is primarily used as a food additive, among other things. It is an extremely versatile substance, depending on the form. The colorless, tasteless liquid is used in processed products to help them keep the desired consistency. Propylene glycol can also make ingredients that wouldn’t usually combine well. Common uses include products such as salad dressing, cosmetics, paints, varnishes and engine coolants.
The claim states propylene glycol is usually made from petroleum. However, it can also be made from other things, like canola and soybean plants. The FDA considers food-grade propylene glycol safe for consumption.
The World Health Organization says the acceptable amount of food-grade propylene glycol a person can consume is 25 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. However, the average exposure is 34 milligrams per kilogram.
Other names for this substance include Trimethyl glycol, Methyl ethyl glycol,1,2-dihydroxypropane and 1,2-propanediol.
How can you check the ingredients in your Chick-fil-A milkshakes? You can go to the Chick-fil-A website, look up the desired item, click ingredients, and then click “find a restaurant.” The website will prompt you to enter your zip code and select the city or town where you want to check menu items. It will then give a complete list of ingredients.
According to the Chick-fil-A website, the reason the ingredients vary by location is “product testing, supply sources, regional differences, and seasonal offerings.”
Looking at a Hattiesburg, MS, location and a Slidell, LA, location, propylene glycol is not currently listed as an ingredient in milkshakes. If you are still concerned, follow the instructions on the website to check for the different names for propylene listed above in this article.
How to Spot Misinformation About Food Ingredients
— Check the source. Ingredient information is best verified directly through company websites or regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
— Watch for chemical confusion. Many viral posts mix up industrial chemicals with their food-safe counterparts.
— Look for scientific citations. Reputable claims reference credible health agencies such as the FDA or World Health Organization (WHO).
— Be wary of fear-based language. Phrases like “poison” or “gasoline chemical” are emotional cues, not scientific facts.
This report was produced by the Roy Howard Community Journalism Center as part of its “What Is True?” fact-checking service. The center investigates local claims to help the public separate fact from fiction. To learn more or submit a claim for review, visit rhcjcnews.com/witreq.
