Comparing E218 - Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate vs E392 - Extracts of rosemary

Overview

E218 - Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate

Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (E218), also called methylparaben, is a preservative used to slow the growth of molds and yeasts in some foods and drinks. It appears on labels under names like methylparaben, methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, or E218, and its use and limits vary by country. It is also used outside of food, such as in cosmetics and medicines in many markets.

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E392 - Extracts of rosemary

Extracts of rosemary (E392) are natural antioxidants made from the leaves of the rosemary plant. They help keep fats and oils from going rancid, which can protect flavor, color, and nutrients in many foods. You’ll most often see them on labels as “rosemary extract” or “E 392.”

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Synonyms
E218
Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate
Methylparaben
methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
E392
Extracts of rosemary
rosemary extract
Functions
preservative
antioxidant
Origins
Plant
Synthetic
Plant
Products

Found in 69 products

Found in 3,436 products

Search rank & volume
#1944.6K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#2661.4K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×9.07
over-aware

×0.06
under-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.

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Popular questions

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

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  1. Can dogs have rosemary extract?

    Yes—small amounts of rosemary extract (E392) used as a food preservative are generally safe for dogs; avoid giving concentrated essential oils and stop if stomach upset occurs.

  2. Can dogs eat rosemary extract?

    It’s commonly used in dog foods as a natural antioxidant and is considered safe at low levels, but consult your vet if your dog is prone to seizures or is pregnant/lactating.

  3. Can cats have rosemary extract?

    In the tiny amounts used as a preservative, rosemary extract is generally considered safe for cats; do not use rosemary essential oil, as cats are very sensitive to concentrated oils.

  4. How to extract rosemary oil?

    Rosemary essential oil is typically obtained by steam distillation of the herb, producing a highly concentrated oil that is not the same as E392 and isn’t intended for ingestion without expert guidance.

  5. How to make rosemary extract?

    Commercial E392 is made by extracting rosemary with food‑grade solvents (e.g., ethanol), then purifying and standardizing carnosic acid/carnosol levels; at home you can approximate it by steeping dried rosemary in high‑proof food‑grade alcohol and filtering, though it won’t be standardized.

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