Comparing E216 - Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate vs E218 - Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 77 products
Found in 69 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is propylparaben safe?
At the low levels used in foods it’s considered safe by some regulators (e.g., FDA recognizes it as GRAS), but it is not permitted as a food additive in the EU.
Is propylparaben bad?
At permitted food-use levels it isn’t considered harmful by regulators that allow it; however, it is no longer authorized for use as a food additive in the EU.
What is propylparaben used for?
It’s an antimicrobial preservative (especially against molds and yeasts) used to extend shelf life in foods, and is also widely used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Are methylparaben and propylparaben safe?
Both are considered safe at the low levels allowed in foods by some regulators (e.g., FDA GRAS), but neither is currently authorized as a food additive in the EU.
Does propylparaben cause cancer?
There’s no good evidence that propylparaben causes cancer in humans, and major reviews have not classified it as carcinogenic; it shows weak estrogen-like activity in lab tests at doses far above typical dietary exposure.
Is methylparaben bad?
Not generally—methylparaben (E218) is a permitted food preservative and is considered safe at the low levels used in foods, being rapidly metabolized and excreted.
Is methylparaben safe?
Yes; regulators such as JECFA set an acceptable daily intake of 0–10 mg/kg body weight/day (for methyl and ethyl parabens), and typical dietary exposure is well below this.
Does methylparaben cause cancer?
There’s no convincing evidence that methylparaben causes cancer at dietary exposures, and it isn’t classified as a human carcinogen; its weak estrogenic activity occurs at doses far above food-use levels.
Are methylparaben and propylparaben safe?
Methylparaben is considered safe at permitted food levels; propylparaben is allowed at low levels in some places (e.g., GRAS in the U.S.) but is not authorized as a food additive in the EU.
Is methylparaben bad for you?
For most people, no—within legal limits it is regarded as safe and helps prevent spoilage; adverse reactions from ingestion are uncommon.