A vape is only provably diacetyl-free if the brand publishes a test. Ours: Legend Technical Services Work Order #2602062 (July 2026) found diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione not detected in six Gust Pro and Lightning flavors (our diacetyl results). Of the other brands we checked, only HealthVape posts a diacetyl result, from an aerosol emissions test.
Diacetyl is the buttery flavoring chemical linked to popcorn lung in microwave-popcorn factory workers. Below: how it gets into vape juice, which brands publish a test, and how to check yours.
The quick answer is: It’s definitely best to skip diacetyl. To compare products on published results, see our guide to the cleanest vapes: nicotine-free, with third-party lab reports.
To guide you through this, we’ll explore how and why to ensure your e-liquid is diacetyl-free. Plus, we’ll introduce you to a diacetyl and nicotine-free option that doesn’t compromise on flavor!
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Further Reading:
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What Is Diacetyl? Why Is It Used in Vape Juice?
Diacetyl is an organic chemical compound with the formula (CH3CO)2.
It’s a yellow liquid with a strong buttery aroma, commonly used to add a creamy flavor to food products like popcorn, margarine, and baked goods.
In the early 2000s, some e-liquid manufacturers began adding diacetyl to achieve a creamy or buttery taste in their products. When mixed with other vape juice ingredients like vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol, this helped enhance the vapour and flavor.
However, this trend of adding diacetyl to vape juice quickly hit a roadblock due to growing health concerns surrounding the chemical.
Interestingly, diacetyl isn’t just found in vape juice—it has also been detected in traditional cigarette smoke.
The Diacetyl-Popcorn Lung Controversy & The Rise of Diacetyl Free Vape Juice
Concerns about diacetyl’s potential health effects first came to light in August 2000.
At the time, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services sought the assistance of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to investigate cases of bronchiolitis obliterans (popcorn lung) among former workers at a microwave popcorn plant.
The investigation identified diacetyl as the likely culprit behind the lung disease.
However, further research has failed to conclusively establish any direct link between inhaling diacetyl and popcorn lung.
Anyhow, in response to these findings, NIOSH issued an alert in December 2003 to prevent lung disease in workers who use or make flavorings, highlighting the potential risks associated with diacetyl exposure.
Moreover, studies conducted on mice revealed that exposure to high levels of diacetyl vapor, even for a short period, led to severe inflammation in their noses, throats, and airways, which made breathing difficult. This suggests that inhaling high amounts of diacetyl vapor could potentially cause similar respiratory issues in humans as well.
This led to increased scrutiny of diacetyl's safety across various industries, including the booming vaping market.
And that's when diacetyl-free e-liquids came into the picture. They were marketed as a way to help users avoid diacetyl's potential health concerns altogether.
But does diacetyl-free vape juice guarantee a completely safe vaping experience?
Absolutely not. Vape products contain other potentially harmful substances too, with nicotine being one of the biggest culprits. Nicotine intake can lead to long-term addiction and cause serious lung and cardiovascular issues.
In short, diacetyl-free doesn’t mean nicotine-free.
If you want to avoid both, choose nicotine and diacetyl-free vaping juice like the ones from Cyclone Pods.
Cyclone Pods: Your Search for the Best Diacetyl and Nicotine-Free Vape Juice Ends Here
Cyclone Pods is a US-based company that creates high-quality, diacetyl and nicotine-free vaping products.
Our e-liquids are also made without vitamin E acetate, diacetyl or any added sweetener — and honest about the trace formaldehyde that heating any e-liquid produces. We use only the best ingredients, like USP-grade propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG), and food-grade flavorings. Plus, we send selected Gust Pro and Lightning flavors for third-party lab testing at Legend Technical Services (ISO 17025 accredited). See also: lab testing transparency. Our most recent panel (Work Order #2602062, July 2026) ran six Gust Pro and Lightning flavors through Legend's carbonyl screen and came back non-detect for both diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione — the two compounds linked to popcorn lung — in every one.
If you're new to the world of diacetyl and nicotine-free vaping, our Lightning pod vape is the perfect place to start. It's super easy to use, with a rechargeable battery and a pre-filled flavor pod that holds a whopping 7ml of our delicious vape juice.
And with thirteen mouth-watering flavors, including Blue Razz, Peach Ice, and Menthol, you'll never get bored. (We even have tobacco flavors for adults who prefer that taste.)
Which Vape Brands Publish a Diacetyl Test?
| Brand | Publishes a diacetyl test? | Lab / method | Result | Checked |
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| Cyclone Pods (Gust Pro, Lightning) | Yes, full report | Legend Technical Services (ISO 17025), UPLC/UV carbonyl panel, WO #2602062 | Diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione not detected in 6 flavors; trace formaldehyde, acetone and acrolein | Oct 20, 2026 (lab page) |
| HealthVape | Yes, results summary | Eurofins aerosol emissions test; no report number or date shown | Diacetyl below detection (<1.2 µg/puff) | Oct 20, 2026 (healthvape.com) |
| ARRØ | No | — | Its product page says "No nicotine, diacetyl, formaldehyde, or vitamin E acetate" but posts no test | Oct 20, 2026 (tryarro.com) |
| ripple+ | No | — | No lab results found | Oct 20, 2026 (therippleco.com) |
| Geek Bar | No | — | No lab reports found | Oct 20, 2026 (geekbar.com) |
| Lost Mary | No | — | No lab reports found | Oct 20, 2026 (lostmary.com) |
A missing test doesn't mean a vape contains diacetyl. It means you're taking the brand's word for it. HealthVape's figure is per puff of aerosol and ours is per gram of sample, so the numbers aren't directly comparable.
How Do I Know If My Vape Juice Contains Diacetyl?
To determine if your e juice contains diacetyl, follow these steps:
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Check the ingredient list. Reputable manufacturers often list their vape juice ingredients on the label. Look for terms like “diacetyl,” “acetoin,” or “acetyl propionyl.” If the label mentions “natural and artificial flavouring” without specifics, it’s best to inquire further.
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Seek third-party lab testing certificates. Many trustworthy e-liquid brands provide third-party lab test results on their website to confirm their products are free from harmful chemicals like diacetyl.
- Contact the manufacturer. If information isn’t available on the website, contact the manufacturer. They should ideally be transparent about their vape products and provide details upon request.
Remember, pre-filled disposable vapes and e-liquids from unauthorized brands are more likely to contain diacetyl or a harmful ingredient.
Can I Make My Own Diacetyl-Free E-Juice?
Yes, you can make your own diacetyl-free vape liquid at home.
But, use high-quality ingredients like propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and flavourings that don’t contain diacetyl.
Keep in mind: Mixing your own e liquid can be tricky and if not done correctly, might be unsafe.
If you’d rather not mix your own, buy prefilled diacetyl-free, nicotine-free pods from Cyclone Pods.
What Vape Flavors Are Most Likely To Contain Diacetyl?
Certain vape flavors are more likely to contain diacetyl due to their creamy or buttery profiles, such as:
- Custard
- Cream
- Butterscotch
- Caramel
- Some fruit flavors like strawberry and watermelon
What Flavoring Innovations Are Replacing Diacetyl In E-Liquids?
Some electronic cigarette companies have started using food-grade organic compounds like butyric acid as a substitute for diacetyl. Butyric acid can help achieve creamy, buttery flavors similar to diacetyl but is considered less harmful.
Manufacturers are also experimenting with unique natural flavor extracts and blends that don't rely on diacetyl or its substitutes at all. For example, some are using combinations of fruit, nut, spice and other plant-based flavors to create complex, layered flavour profiles.
Can Diacetyl Be Present in Nicotine-Free E-Liquids?
Yes, even nicotine-free e-liquids can contain diacetyl if the flavorings used include it.
You should choose products from reliable brands that explicitly state their e-liquids are diacetyl-free.
Like we said, simply opt for Cyclone Pods’ range of diacetyl-free and nicotine-free vape juices for the ultimate vaping experience!
