Comparing E216 - Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate vs E330 - Citric acid
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 77 products
Found in 95,503 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 2 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 citric acid bad for you?
At typical food levels, citric acid (E330) is considered safe by major regulators (GRAS; EFSA/JECFA). Concentrated or frequent acidic exposure can irritate the mouth/stomach or contribute to tooth enamel erosion.
Where does the citric acid cycle occur?
In eukaryotic cells it occurs in the mitochondrial matrix; in bacteria it occurs in the cytosol.
What does citric acid do to your body?
It is a normal intermediate in energy metabolism and is readily metabolized to carbon dioxide and water. Citrate can bind minerals, which may enhance absorption of some and help prevent certain kidney stones by increasing urinary citrate.
Where does citric acid come from?
It occurs naturally in citrus fruits, but most food-grade citric acid is produced by fermenting sugars (e.g., from corn, beet, or cane) with Aspergillus niger.
How is citric acid made?
Industrially, sugars are fermented with Aspergillus niger to produce citric acid, then it is recovered and purified—often by precipitating calcium citrate and converting it back with sulfuric acid or via ion-exchange/crystallization.