Ethyl p-Hydroxybenzoate
The short version
An ethyl paraben preservative — one of the few parabens still permitted in EU food use.
It's permitted and generally considered safe, but there are a few reasons to be mindful — like sensitivities in some people, debated studies, or intake limits. The Safety section below explains the specifics.
Safety profile
ADI of 10 mg/kg body weight (combined methyl, ethyl, and their salts; EFSA 2004). Parabens have weak estrogen-mimicking activity in vitro; the human relevance at food-additive exposure is contested. In 2004 EFSA left propylparaben out of the methyl/ethyl paraben group ADI because it had effects on sex hormones and male reproductive organs in juvenile rats. Directive 2006/52/EC then withdrew propylparaben (E 216) and sodium propylparaben (E 217) as EU food additives.
Sources
- WHO JECFA database — Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate (INS 214), group ADI 0–10 mg/kg bw (1973; propylparaben excluded 2006) — WHO / Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, 1973. Group ADI 0–10 mg/kg bw for methyl + ethyl esters
- EFSA — 'EFSA advises on the safety of paraben usage in food' (news on the AFC Panel opinion on E 214-219, 29 September 2004) — European Food Safety Authority, 2004. EFSA 2004 group ADI 0–10 mg/kg bw for methyl and ethyl parabens; propylparaben excluded
- EUR-Lex — Directive 2006/52/EC amending Directive 95/2/EC on food additives (withdrawal of E 216/E 217 and of parabens in liquid food supplements) — European Union (Publications Office), 2006. 2006 EU withdrawal of propylparaben (E 216) and sodium propylparaben (E 217); parabens withdrawn from liquid supplements
- EUR-Lex — Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives, consolidated text of 18 August 2026 (Annex II) — European Union (Publications Office), 2026. Current EU food categories where E 214-219 are permitted
Checked against these sources on .
Educational information only. Not medical, dietary or veterinary advice. Spotted an error? Tell us.