Comparing E282 - calcium propionate vs E218 - Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 8,051 products
Found in 69 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 5 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 calcium propionate bad for you?
No—at permitted food levels, calcium propionate (E282) is considered safe by regulators (FDA GRAS; EU-approved) and is rapidly metabolized. A small number of people may be sensitive, but evidence of harm at typical dietary exposures is limited.
What is calcium propionate made from?
It’s the calcium salt of propionic acid, usually produced by neutralizing propionic acid with calcium hydroxide or calcium carbonate. The propionic acid can come from petrochemical synthesis or fermentation by Propionibacterium.
Is calcium propionate banned in europe?
No—E282 is authorized in the EU as a preservative in specified foods under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, with set maximum levels. It is not permitted in foods for infants and young children.
What is calcium propionate used for?
It’s a preservative that inhibits molds and some bacteria to extend shelf life. In baking, it helps prevent mold and “rope” spoilage in bread and similar products.
What is calcium propionate used in?
Commonly in bread, rolls, tortillas, cakes, and other baked goods; it’s also permitted in some processed cheeses depending on the jurisdiction. Specific uses and limits vary by country and product category.
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.