E240 · Formaldehyde
- 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 E240?
Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring and industrially produced chemical, historically used as a preservative and disinfectant. It is no longer authorized as a direct food additive in the EU, US, or most other jurisdictions -- its E240 designation is obsolete and banned for food use. It still occurs naturally in trace amounts in some foods (like fruits and smoked products) and in the human body as a metabolic byproduct, but it is not intentionally added to food today. Outside food, it remains widely used in building materials, resins, and as a laboratory tissue preservative. It is classified as a known human carcinogen at higher, occupational-type exposure levels.
Also appears on labels as: Formaldehyde, Methanal, Formalin, Methyl aldehyde, Methylene oxide, Oxymethylene, Oxomethane, CH2O, HCHO, Formaldehyde solution, Formaldehyde (aqueous), Paraformaldehyde (polymeric form).
What the evidence says
- Not authorized for direct addition to food in the EU, US, or most other markets; any presence in food is from natural trace occurrence, not intentional use.
- Classified by IARC as a known human carcinogen (Group 1); this pertains to occupational/inhalation exposure levels, far above trace dietary levels.
- Can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation at higher exposure (relevant mainly to industrial or off-gassing exposure, not food).
Frequently asked questions
Is E240 safe?
Our overall verdict for E240 (Formaldehyde) 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 E240 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Formaldehyde — 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 E240 and why is it used?
Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring and industrially produced chemical, historically used as a preservative and disinfectant. It is no longer authorized as a direct food additive in the EU, US, or most other jurisdictions -- its E240 designation is obsolete and banned for food use. It still occurs naturally in trace amounts in some foods (like fruits and smoked products) and in the human body as a metabolic byproduct, but it is not intentionally added to food today. Outside food, it remains widely used in building materials, resins, and as a laboratory tissue preservative. It is classified as a known human carcinogen at higher, occupational-type exposure levels.
Does E240 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Formaldehyde.
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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.