E233 / Preservatives
Thiabendazole
Safety in brief
Better avoided
Recorded EatMatrix rating, not a new clinical review. The amount, your sensitivities and country rules still matter.
- Watch for
- No allergen or sensitivity is recorded for this ingredient here. Check the whole product label; this is not an allergen-free guarantee.
- 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
Thiabendazole is a fungicide applied to the surface of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, citrus, and potatoes, to prevent mold during storage and transport. It's also used in human and veterinary medicine to treat parasitic worm infections, though those are much higher, therapeutic doses compared with trace food residues. As a post-harvest treatment, residues are concentrated in peels and skins, so washing or peeling produce reduces exposure. It's approved for food use within regulated residue limits by the FDA and EFSA.
Also appears on labels as: Thiabendazole, TBZ, E233, E 233, E-233, INS 233, 2-(4-Thiazolyl)benzimidazole, 4-Thiazolylbenzimidazole, Thiabendazol, Thia Bendazole, Thia-bendazole, ThiaB.
Dietary information
- Vegan
- Yes
- Halal
- Yes
- Gluten-free
- Yes
- Allergens
- None recorded
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
- Peel/skin residues can be relatively high; washing or peeling treated produce reduces exposure.
- At the much higher doses used medicinally, thiabendazole has been linked to nausea, dizziness, and rare liver effects; typical dietary residue exposure is far below these levels.
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.
- Thiabendazole (E233) – Antifungal Preservative — EFSA Panel on Food Additives, EFSA Journal (2014). ADI maintained by EFSA/JECFA; high doses show liver toxicity in animals; mainly on citrus fruits; low risk at regulated exposure.[avoid]
Country rules
Country checks for E233
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 | No exact code match in the Annex II Part B list (version 2026-08-18, read 2026-10-07). Identity, subform and legal-use review are pending. This does not establish a permission or a ban. |
| Great Britain | No verified exact register record in this review. Identity and current use rules need checking; missing a record does not establish a ban. |
| United States | Complete current-use review pending. Any scoped provision in the label guide above applies only to the stated use. FDA explains the applicable food-additive and GRAS framework. |
| 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 | Exact use and legal category need confirmation No exact additive-use row was found for this surface-treatment substance. CFIA distinguishes agricultural chemicals from food additives. A pesticide or post-harvest residue provision is a separate question from direct food-additive use. EatMatrix reading: Confirm the active substance, registered treatment and applicable Canadian maximum-residue limit for the actual crop. No pesticide approval or MRL was established by this additive-list check. 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: Thiabendazole; Biphenyl; Diphenyl; Orthophenylphenol; 2-Phenylphenol; Sodium Orthophenylphenol. 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. |
| 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 | Better avoided |
| WHO | Better avoided |
| EFSA | Better avoided |
| FSANZ | Better avoided |
| Japan | Better avoided |
| UK FSA | Better avoided |
| Health Canada | Better avoided |
Database updated: . What does an E number mean on a food label?
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What is EatMatrix's recorded rating for E233?
The recorded EatMatrix rating for E233 (Thiabendazole) is “Better avoided”. 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 E233 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Thiabendazole — 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 E233 and why is it used?
Thiabendazole is a fungicide applied to the surface of fruits and vegetables, especially bananas, citrus, and potatoes, to prevent mold during storage and transport. It's also used in human and veterinary medicine to treat parasitic worm infections, though those are much higher, therapeutic doses compared with trace food residues. As a post-harvest treatment, residues are concentrated in peels and skins, so washing or peeling produce reduces exposure. It's approved for food use within regulated residue limits by the FDA and EFSA.
Does E233 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Thiabendazole.
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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.