Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate
Not authorised in EU, but permitted in AU-NZ and US. No evidence of harm at dietary intake.
- Category
- Preservatives
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
Propylparaben is a paraben preservative that the EU removed from food use in 2006.
How it is used in food
Effective against yeasts and moulds, and unusually stable across a wide pH range.
Commonly found in- Confectionery
- Dried meat snacks
- Flavouring syrups
- Pâtés
Health and safety
EFSA could not set an acceptable daily intake for propylparaben, because feeding studies in young rats showed effects on sex hormones and on the male reproductive organs — effects not seen with the shorter methyl and ethyl parabens. The EU withdrew it from food in 2006.
Parabens are highly controversial due to their ability to mimic estrogen in the human body. This has raised concerns about their potential to disrupt the endocrine system and affect reproductive health.
Suspected endocrine disruptor
Parabens are known xenoestrogens that can mimic estrogen in the body, raising concerns about long-term hormonal disruption.
Removed from the EU list of permitted food additives in 2006 following EFSA’s evaluation. It remains in use in cosmetics, which is where the debate about combined exposure sits.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Affirmed GRAS as propylparaben (21 CFR 184.1670). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E216
Alternatives to this additive
- E202: Potassium sorbate — A non-paraben preservative that does not carry endocrine disruption concerns.
How it is made
Made by reacting p-hydroxybenzoic acid with propanol.
- Esterification — p-Hydroxybenzoic acid is reacted with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst.
Worth knowing
The shorter parabens E214 and E218 are still permitted in food with a group acceptable intake; the propyl chain length is where the EU drew the line.
Conclusion
Due to its longer propyl chain, EFSA concluded in 2004 that it exhibited stronger endocrine disrupting effects than shorter parabens, and it was subsequently banned from food use in the EU.
References
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