E218 Methylparaben
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Every diet
Made by chemical synthesis.
No carbohydrate.
Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.
Rules by country
Methylparaben is generally recognized as safe in the US as an antimicrobial preservative in food at a maximum of 0.1 percent, under 21 CFR 184.1490. EFSA set a group acceptable daily intake of 0 to 10 mg per kg of body weight for methyl, ethyl and propyl parabens combined, and Health Canada applies the same group limit.
How much is too much? (Acceptable Daily Intake)
Based on 10 mg per kg of body weight (EFSA / JECFA). A 20 kg (44 lb) child: 200 mg a day.
What is it?
Parabens are a family of simple aromatic esters, and they were made popular because they are cheap, effective against mold and yeast, and stable in the wide pH range of food. The concern that raised their profile came from a 2004 paper showing that parabens had estrogenic activity in cell cultures, which led to calls for their removal from cosmetics and eventually to a ban on propylparaben and butylparaben in the EU.
Where it comes from: Made by reacting methyl alcohol with p-hydroxybenzoic acid. It is one of the paraben family of preservatives, and it is the one that is still permitted in food in the EU, the United States and Canada.
Why it’s in food
- Mold prevention in baked goods
- Preserving sauces and dressings
- Cosmetic preservation
- Shelf life extension
Often found in
Also listed as: Methylparaben, Methyl paraben, Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, Methylparaben sodium, Paraben methyl, Methyl-p-hydroxybenzoate
Health & gut impact
EFSA set a group ADI of 0 to 10 mg per kg of body weight for methyl, ethyl and propyl parabens and their sodium salts combined, and Health Canada and JECFA use the same figure. It is one of the more thoroughly studied preservative families.
EFSA, scientific opinion on parabens as food additives (2004)
Parabens showed estrogen-like activity in cell cultures, and the amounts measured in some human samples were low. EFSA concluded that the exposure from food at permitted levels does not pose a risk, while the EU still banned propylparaben and butylparaben from cosmetics on precaution.
EFSA, scientific opinion on parabens as food additives (2004)
The clearer finding is in the skin. Parabens are a recognized cause of contact dermatitis in people with a sensitivity to them, and they are among the most common allergens tested for in patch testing.
European Society of Contact Dermatitis, guideline on patch testing (2015)
What can I use instead?
Ratio: Use a similar weight for the same kind of protection
Best for: Mold control in baked goods
Ratio: Use a similar weight; it works best in acidic food
Best for: Acidic sauces and drinks
Related
More preservatives:
Common questions
Is methylparaben safe to eat?
The regulators say yes, within the limits. The FDA allows it at up to 0.1 percent of the food, and EFSA, Health Canada and JECFA all use a group daily limit of 0 to 10 mg per kg of body weight across the parabens.
Is methylparaben an endocrine disruptor?
It does show estrogen-like activity in cell cultures, which is why the question is asked. EFSA concluded that exposure from food at the permitted levels does not pose a risk to human health, and the EU banned propylparaben and butylparaben in cosmetics rather than methylparaben in food.
Why is methylparaben still used if propylparaben was banned?
The EU ban covered propylparaben and butylparaben in cosmetics because they were the ones with the strongest estrogenic signal. Methylparaben is weaker, it is permitted in food in all three jurisdictions, and it is the paraben still allowed in cosmetics in the EU.
Is Methylparaben safe?
Use in moderation (62/100). Methylparaben is generally recognized as safe in the US as an antimicrobial preservative in food at a maximum of 0.1 percent, under 21 CFR 184.1490. EFSA set a group acceptable daily intake of 0 to 10 mg per kg of body weight for methyl, ethyl and propyl parabens combined, and Health Canada applies the same group limit.
Is Methylparaben vegan?
Yes. Made by chemical synthesis.
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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
- 21 CFR 184.1490 (US FDA)
- EFSA OpenFoodTox: E218
- EFSA, scientific opinion on parabens as food additives (2004)
- European Society of Contact Dermatitis, guideline on patch testing (2015)
INS 218 · CAS 99-76-3