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E310 Propyl gallate

E310AntioxidantsOrigin: Lab-made
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The short answer
Propyl gallate (E310) is a synthetic antioxidant that keeps oils and meats from going rancid, often paired with BHA and BHT. It's legal in small amounts, but the evidence on long-term safety is mixed.
Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberE310
Comes fromLab-made
What it doesAntioxidants
Glycemic index—
Daily limit0.5 mg/kg
Also calledPropyl gallate, n-Propyl gallate

Find foods without propyl gallate

Clean-label swaps
Clean grocery swap

Organic meat sticks

Certified organic meats can't use propyl gallate.

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Clean substitute

Organic bouillon cubes

Soup bases without synthetic antioxidants.

Shop organic bouillon Opens your country’s Amazon store
Health store

Natural chewing gum

Gum made from chicle, without BHT or propyl gallate.

Shop natural gum Opens your country’s Amazon store

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Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDAApproved
🇪🇺 European UnionApproved with limits
🇨🇦 Health CanadaApproved with limits
CaliforniaNo extra rules

GRAS in the US at up to 0.02% of the fat in a food. EFSA re-checked it in 2014 and set a daily limit of 0.5 mg per kg of body weight. Canada allows it with limits.

How much is too much? (Acceptable Daily Intake)

35 mgper day is the safe upper limit

Based on 0.5 mg per kg of body weight (EFSA / JECFA). A 20 kg (44 lb) child: 10 mg a day.

What is it?

Propyl gallate protects fats from oxygen. It works best with BHA or BHT, so you'll often see the three together in shortening, sausages, gum and soup bases.

Where it comes from: Made by joining gallic acid, from plant tannins, with propanol in a factory.

Why it’s in food

  • Keeps vegetable oil and shortening fresh
  • Protects fat in sausages and dried meats
  • Preserves chewing gum base
  • Boosts BHA and BHT

Often found in

Vegetable oil and shorteningSausages and meat sticksChewing gumSoup bases and bouillonMayonnaiseMicrowave popcorn

Also listed as: Propyl gallate, n-Propyl gallate, Gallic acid propyl ester, Propyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate

Health & gut impact

CancerUnder study

In the US government's two-year feeding study, a few rare tumors were more common in rats at high doses. The results were judged equivocal.

NTP Technical Report 240 (1982)

Skin allergyUnder study

It can cause allergic skin reactions, mostly reported from cosmetics. Reactions from food are rare.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2014)

What can I use instead?

Mixed tocopherols (vitamin E)

Ratio: To label

Best for: Oils and meats

Rosemary extract

Ratio: To label

Best for: Sausages and snacks

Related

More antioxidants:

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) E300Ascorbic acid (E300) is plain vitamin C. It keeps food from browning and is one of the safest additives there is.Generally safeBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) E320BHA (E320) is a synthetic preservative that keeps fats fresh. The US National Toxicology Program lists it as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen."Best to avoidBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) E321BHT (E321) is a synthetic preservative in cereal and snacks. It's approved, but evidence on long-term effects is mixed, and many brands have dropped it.Use in moderationTBHQ (Tert-Butylhydroquinone) E319TBHQ (E319) is a synthetic preservative that keeps frying oils and snacks from going rancid. It's legal in small amounts, but early research on the immune system makes it one to cut back on.Best to avoid

Common questions

Is Propyl gallate safe?

Use in moderation (52/100). GRAS in the US at up to 0.02% of the fat in a food. EFSA re-checked it in 2014 and set a daily limit of 0.5 mg per kg of body weight. Canada allows it with limits.

Is Propyl gallate vegan?

Yes.

Is Propyl gallate gluten-free?

Yes.

Is propyl gallate the same as BHA or BHT?

No, but it does the same job and is often used with them. Each has its own safety data and limits.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • 21 CFR 184.1660 (US FDA)
  • EFSA OpenFoodTox: E310
  • NTP Technical Report 240 (1982)
  • EFSA Panel on Food Additives (2014)

Last checked against FDA, EFSA and Health Canada records: November 1, 2026 · INS 310 · CAS 121-79-9