E218 / Preservatives
Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate
Safety in brief
Safe in moderation
Recorded EatMatrix rating, not a new clinical review. The amount, your sensitivities and country rules still matter.
- Watch for
- Recorded sensitivities: paraben sensitivity.
- Our advice
- Read the whole food label and consider how often you eat the product. A name or E number does not tell you the amount, and an ingredient rating cannot assess the entire food.
What it is
Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (methylparaben) is the most widely used paraben-class preservative, inhibiting bacteria, mould, and yeast in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. It is often combined with other parabens for broader antimicrobial protection. It is authorised for food use in many jurisdictions within permitted limits, and JECFA/EFSA include it in a group acceptable daily intake for methyl- and ethyl-parabens.
Also appears on labels as: Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, Methylparaben, Methyl p-hydroxybenzoic acid ester, E218, E 218, E-218, Food preservative methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, Methyl para-hydroxybenzoate, p-Hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester, Preservative E218, Methyl parabens, Metilparabenas.
Dietary information
- Vegan
- Yes
- Halal
- Yes
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Allergens
- Caution
Recorded ingredient information. Check the product label or certification: sources, other ingredients and cross-contact can vary.
Research & body effects
Health notes from our ingredient record
- Parabens show weak endocrine (hormone-mimicking) activity in laboratory studies; current usage limits are set to account for this.
- Occasional contact allergy reported, mainly from cosmetic use; dietary reactions are rare.
Other references from our ingredient record
These links come from the original ingredient record. They are separate from the source reviews above and have not all been checked for the exact ingredient, amount consumed or claim. Dates are shown newest first.
- Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food (AFC) related to para-hydroxybenzoates (E 214–219) — EFSA AFC Panel, EFSA Journal (2004). Group ADI 0–10 mg/kg bw/day for methyl- and ethyl-paraben (and their sodium salts); propylparaben excluded due to no clear NOAEL. Methylparaben shows weak estrogenic activity in vitro, but no in vivo estrogenicity in uterotrophic assays at relevant doses. E218 remains authorised for specific EU food categories.[safe_in_moderation]
Country rules
Country checks for E218
Permission depends on the market, type of food, amount and conditions. A scientific opinion or an E-number alone does not establish a legal use. These checks are separate from the stored EatMatrix rating.
Compare all eight markets and their sources
| Market | What is checked |
|---|---|
| European Union | Regulation (EC) 1333/2008, Annex II Part B, version , contains the exact code E218: Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate. Listing alone does not allow every food use. Part E food categories, limits, specifications and applicable later acts still need a product-specific check. Source read: . |
| Great Britain | The FSA register record for E218 (Methyl p-hydroxbenzoate) lists “Authorised” in England, Scotland and Wales. Register updated: 01 April 2025; record checked: . Food-specific conditions and specifications still need a separate legal check. |
| United States | Selected US conditions for Methylparaben Official federal text current through ; read . Food uses, limits and exceptionsFederal antimicrobial use Methylparaben has a named food-use provision: the specified preparation is used as an antimicrobial under good manufacturing practice, with current practice resulting in a maximum of 0.1% in food. This provision does not cover every other paraben or its sodium salt. EatMatrix’s reading: a legal use condition answers where and how an ingredient may be used. It is not a test of your product, a personal safe intake or a claim that the ingredient benefits your body. Match the named substance, food and amount. Other federal provisions, food standards, state rules and later changes may also apply; this is a selected source review, not a complete product-compliance decision. |
| Northern Ireland | Review pending. Check the applicable EU rules and territory arrangements; the GB register alone does not establish this status. FSA guidance is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Canada | Named Canadian use conditions located The reviewed Canadian name is Methyl-ρ-Hydroxybenzoate. The corresponding food-use conditions are shown below. EatMatrix reading: Match the named preparation, specifications, food, purpose and every limit below before using these rows for a product decision. Name and category review: . This describes the legal source check, not a finding that the ingredient is safe, unsafe or untested. Sources and names checkedNames checked: Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate; Methyl-ρ-Hydroxybenzoate. All 15 Health Canada permitted-additive lists were checked by exact name, with the reviewed alternatives above. E-numbers alone are not Canadian ingredient names. The Justice Canada consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026. A complete product decision also requires its composition, specifications, intended food and use, quantities, applicable separate provisions and any later changes. Named food-use records located. Health Canada lists the preparations below for specified foods and purposes. This is conditional permission for those uses, not approval of every product or a personal safety verdict. Only the named records and conditions below were located. Exact composition and specifications still need matching. Source tables captured . List publication dates are shown separately. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is a condition of use, not an unlimited amount or a recommended intake. Food and Drug Regulations B.16.003 requires the listed source, purpose, amount and other conditions to match. The official consolidation read was current to 21 September 2026; product specifications and applicable later changes still need checking. Read 4 listed food-use conditionsMethyl-ρ-HydroxybenzoateHealth Canada: List of Permitted Preservatives. List published ; item M.1.
EatMatrix reading: match the exact preparation and food first. A manufacturing limit is not an acceptable daily intake (ADI). A label without the amount cannot establish exposure, and an unlisted name here does not establish a ban. |
| Australia | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| New Zealand | Review pending. Food Standards Code permissions and conditions need an additive-specific check. FSANZ food-additive rules is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
| Japan | Review pending. The relevant list, identity and use standards need an additive-specific check. CAA food-additive lists is a starting source, not a verified permission for this entry. |
Sources & review status
Check what each source covers: an authority’s conclusion, a research finding and a country’s legal permission answer different questions.
What this guide covers
- Original ingredient record
- 1 research link; newest recorded date: . Sources added separately to this guide are not included in this count.
This guide brings together our ingredient record and the dated sources shown here. Missing information describes a gap in this guide; it does not mean an ingredient is untested, safe or harmful. This is not a complete review of every study, preparation or current country rule. The amount in a product and how it is used still matter.
How to read the ratings, research and country checksAgency labels recorded by EatMatrix
These are imported database classifications, not verified current statements from each authority. Use the dated official sources below for their actual scope and conclusions.
| Authority | Database label |
|---|---|
| FDA | Safe in moderation |
| WHO | Safe in moderation |
| EFSA | Safe in moderation |
| FSANZ | Safe in moderation |
| Japan | Safe in moderation |
| UK FSA | Safe in moderation |
| Health Canada | Safe in moderation |
Database updated: . What does an E number mean on a food label?
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is EatMatrix's recorded rating for E218?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E218 (Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate) is “Safe in moderation”. It is calculated from labels stored in our ingredient database. These labels are not verified current regulator decisions or country permissions. A database update date is not a scientific review date.
Is E218 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate — vegan: yes, vegetarian: yes, halal: yes, kosher: yes, gluten-free: yes, dairy-free: yes. Manufacturing sources can vary between products; check the label if it matters to you.
What is E218 and why is it used?
Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (methylparaben) is the most widely used paraben-class preservative, inhibiting bacteria, mould, and yeast in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. It is often combined with other parabens for broader antimicrobial protection. It is authorised for food use in many jurisdictions within permitted limits, and JECFA/EFSA include it in a group acceptable daily intake for methyl- and ethyl-parabens.
Does E218 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, with a caution: paraben sensitivity.
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This page shows information and classifications recorded in our ingredient database. Current scientific and market-specific verification remains pending as described above. It is general information, not medical advice.