Skip to main content
Subscribe

Food additives · Propylparaben

Where propylparaben is banned, and why

By · Published · Last checked

Where it stands

E216 · Banned in 3 of 8 · Allowed in 2 of 3 in North America

  • European UnionBanned

    Removed in 2006 by Directive 2006/52/EC.

  • United KingdomBanned

    Kept the EU removal.

  • ChinaNot verified

    Not verified in this research pass. Check GB 2760-2024, the national food additive standard.

  • RussiaBanned

    Banned in food production and food imports from 1 Mar 2005.

  • JapanNot verified

    Not verified in this research pass. Check MHLW list of designated food additives.

  • United StatesAllowed

    Treated as GRAS. California bans it from 1 Jan 2027.

  • CanadaAllowed

    Permitted; allowed uses were narrowed in 2021.

  • MexicoNot verified

    Not verified in this research pass. Check the COFEPRIS acuerdo on additives and processing aids.

Also banned in: Mercosur dropped it from beverages after JECFA's 2006 review

Why is it restricted?

Rat studies showed effects on sex hormones and lower sperm counts. In 2004 EFSA withdrew its safe daily intake for it, and the EU removed it from food two years later.

Where is it found?

Tortillas, snack cakes, pastries, some sweets.

How do I spot it on a label?

  • propylparaben
  • propyl paraben
  • propyl p-hydroxybenzoate

What you can do: Check tortillas and packaged pastries for "propylparaben". Most bread and tortillas sold in the EU use other preservatives.

Quick answers

Is propylparaben allowed in food in Canada?
Allowed. Permitted; allowed uses were narrowed in 2021.
Is propylparaben allowed in food in the United States?
Allowed. Treated as GRAS. California bans it from 1 Jan 2027.
Is propylparaben allowed in food in the European Union?
Banned. Removed in 2006 by Directive 2006/52/EC.

Sources

  1. 13.EU Directive 2006/52/EC (removes propylparaben) (opens in a new tab)umwelt-online.de · Primary: government, court or law
  2. 14.Russia Chief Sanitary Doctor Decree No. 1, 18 Jan 2005 (opens in a new tab)pravo.ppt.ru · Primary: government, court or law
  3. 15.Health Canada: parabens permitted uses revised (2021) (opens in a new tab)canada.ca · Primary: government, court or law

General information, not legal or medical advice. “Banned elsewhere” doesn't automatically mean unsafe: some bans rest on animal welfare, trade or caution. Read the fact checks before sharing a list.

Get my 1-page apple-water starter cheat sheet, free.

Plus one email when a new episode is out. Nothing else.