Spray cooking oil has quietly become one of the fastest-growing categories in food retail. Air fryer recipes, portion control, and clean-label marketing have all pushed consumers from pouring oil out of a bottle to pressing a nozzle over a pan.

This post explains what BOV actually is, which food-grade products it's suitable for, and some popular size options

What Is Bag-on-Valve?

Bag on valve packaging (BOV) is an advanced aerosol system where the product is sealed inside a multi-layer bag within the can. The surrounding space is filled with compressed air or nitrogen, which serves as the propellant.

When the nozzle is pressed, the propellant applies pressure to the bag, dispensing the product in a smooth, controlled spray. Because the product never mixes with the propellant, it remains uncontaminated and stable from start to finish.

In short: bag on valve spray cans are a modern, eco-friendly alternative to traditional aerosol cans.

What food-grade products are bag valves suitable for?

Bag on valve containers are suited for the following food products and many more:

Cooking sprays/oils

Olive oils

Mousse and Fruit Cremes

Liquid Flavorings

Vinegar

Salad Dressings

Condiments

Coffee and tea concentrate

Individual products will be tested thoroughly for safety and efficacy.

Because the Bag on Valve system is unilateral, the food product is not exposed to oxygen. The Bag on Valve system is not flammable. Because air or nitrogen is used as the propellant, the product is also noncombustible. Bag on Valve is also eco-friendly and has no negative effects on the ozone layer. Many consumers find that this benefit alone makes the product well worth the purchase.

Unlike other types of packaging, these cans offer an even and very controlled spraying pattern. Consumers exert less energy using these cans, as no pumping motion is required.

They can be sprayed at all angles instead of needed to aim the can a certain way to dispense the product. Additionally, there is reduced spray noise and little to no chilling product discharge when spraying the product. The product is dispensed as a mist or as a jet.

Also, products of different viscosities can be dispensed. Dispensing tips can either be incorporated into the valve stem, the valve actuator or be a separate attachment to the valve. The tip produces the pattern in which the product is dispensed. Dispensing tips can release your product in a variety of patterns.

The Valve and the Oil Actuator

A BOV can is only as good as its valve. For food oil we specify a BOV valve with a food-grade laminated pouch and a dedicated oil actuator:

BOV valve

· Mounting cup: 53mm (standard 1-inch BOV cup), tinplate or aluminum

· Pouch: multi-layer PET/AL/PE laminate, food-contact certified, welded to the cup

· Propellant side: compressed air or nitrogen — no hydrocarbon gas anywhere near the food

Oil actuator

· Wide, flat fan-spray orifice — oil needs a thin even film on the pan, not a soft mist

· Anti-drip tip geometry, because cooking oil is viscous and will string on a standard actuator

· Cap that doubles as a stand for upside-down spraying (useful for coating trays)

Our product range deliberately does not include the food formula itself — we supply the can, BOV valve and oil actuator set; filling is done on your line or by your co-packer with your recipe.

How to choose the right capacity and size?

If you are testing a new oil spray brand or selling into a premium retail channel, start with the 200ml (53×180mm or 53×185mm): lower unit cost per trial run, fits existing shelf plans, and is the size most contract fillers already have tooling for.

If you already have distribution and want the best shelf price-per-ml, the 250ml (53×210mm) is the size moving fastest in this category right now — same diameter, same valve, roughly 25% more product, and the taller body still sits comfortably on standard aerosol shelving.