E239 · Hexamethylenetetramine
- WHO
- Better avoided
- FDA
- Better avoided
- EFSA
- Better avoided
- FSANZ
- Better avoided
- Japan
- Better avoided
- UK FSA
- Better avoided
- Health Canada
- Better avoided
What is E239?
Hexamethylenetetramine (also called methenamine or hexamine) is a preservative with limited, specific food use, most notably in some traditional provolone-type cheeses, where it slowly releases small amounts of formaldehyde to inhibit spoilage bacteria and molds. It has broader industrial uses in resins and adhesives, and is used in medicine as a urinary-tract antiseptic (at much higher, therapeutic doses). Its food use is tightly restricted by regulators because of the formaldehyde it releases, and it is banned or heavily limited in many jurisdictions outside its traditional cheese applications.
Also appears on labels as: E239, E 239, E-239, INS 239, Hexamethylenetetramine, Hexamine, Methenamine, Urotropine, Hexamethylene tetramine, Methenamin, Methenaminum, Formin.
What the evidence says
- Releases formaldehyde, a substance with its own safety concerns (see E240); food use is restricted to specific traditional products and closely regulated maximum levels.
- Prolonged or high-level exposure (mainly relevant to industrial, not food, contexts) may cause skin or respiratory irritation.
Research behind the verdict
- Hexamethylene Tetramine (E239) – Preservative — EFSA Panel on Food Additives, EFSA Journal (2013). ADI withdrawn; decomposes to formaldehyde in acidic conditions; restricted to Provolone cheese; potential carcinogen at high exposure.[avoid]
Frequently asked questions
Is E239 safe?
Our overall verdict for E239 (Hexamethylenetetramine) is “Better avoided”, based on the most cautious of the major regulators’ positions — FDA: better avoided; WHO: better avoided; EFSA: better avoided; FSANZ: better avoided; Japan: better avoided; UK FSA: better avoided; Health Canada: better avoided.
Is E239 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Hexamethylenetetramine — 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 E239 and why is it used?
Hexamethylenetetramine (also called methenamine or hexamine) is a preservative with limited, specific food use, most notably in some traditional provolone-type cheeses, where it slowly releases small amounts of formaldehyde to inhibit spoilage bacteria and molds. It has broader industrial uses in resins and adhesives, and is used in medicine as a urinary-tract antiseptic (at much higher, therapeutic doses). Its food use is tightly restricted by regulators because of the formaldehyde it releases, and it is banned or heavily limited in many jurisdictions outside its traditional cheese applications.
Does E239 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Hexamethylenetetramine.
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This page summarises publicly available regulatory assessments and research. It is general information, not medical advice. Sources: EFSA, FDA, WHO and the studies linked above.