Comparing E234 - Nisin vs E218 - Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate

Synonyms
E234
Nisin
E218
Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate
Methylparaben
methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
Products

Found in 309 products

Found in 69 products

Search rank & volume
#2731.3K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#1944.6K / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×0.60
under-aware

×9.07
over-aware

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 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
  1. What is nisin preparation?

    A standardized commercial product of the antimicrobial peptide nisin blended with carriers (typically sodium chloride and sometimes dairy solids) to a defined potency for use as a food preservative.

  2. Is nisin bad for you?

    No—at approved food-use levels it’s considered safe by major regulators (e.g., EFSA, JECFA, FDA) and is digested like other peptides; typical dietary exposure is well below the acceptable daily intake. If you have a milk allergy, note some preparations include dairy-derived carriers.

  3. What is nisin in food?

    Nisin (E234) is a natural antimicrobial preservative from Lactococcus lactis used to inhibit Gram-positive bacteria like Listeria and extend shelf life in foods such as cheeses and some dairy or ready-to-eat products.

  4. What is nisin made from?

    It’s produced by fermenting Lactococcus lactis on substrates like milk or sugar, then purified and standardized with carriers such as salt; it’s not chemically synthesized for food use.

  5. Cheddar nisin which brands?

    Brand use varies by market: it’s more common in processed or sliced/shredded cheddar than in traditional block cheddar. Check labels for “nisin” or “E234,” or contact the manufacturer for specific product lines.

  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.