E242 · Dimethyl dicarbonate
- WHO
- Safe
- FDA
- Safe
- EFSA
- Safe
- FSANZ
- Safe
- Japan
- Safe
- UK FSA
- Safe
- Health Canada
- Safe
What is E242?
Dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC) is a preservative added to wine, fruit juices, and some non-alcoholic beverages to kill yeast and prevent fermentation or spoilage during bottling. Its key advantage is that it breaks down completely within a few hours into carbon dioxide and trace amounts of methanol, leaving no active residue in the final product. It's approved as safe by the FDA and EFSA for use within strict dosing limits, and because it fully decomposes, it doesn't need to be declared as an ingredient on final product labels in most jurisdictions.
Also appears on labels as: Dimethyl dicarbonate, DMDC, E242, E 242, E-242, INS 242, Additive E242, Dimethyl pyrocarbonate, Dimethyl carbonate dicarbonate, DMDC preservative, Carbonic acid dimethyl ester, C4H6O5.
What the evidence says
- Must be handled and dosed carefully by manufacturers before bottling; direct consumer exposure to the undiluted compound does not occur since it fully decomposes before the product reaches consumers.
- Generally recognized as safe at approved use levels; trace methanol formed during breakdown is well within naturally occurring dietary levels.
Research behind the verdict
- Dimethyl Dicarbonate (E242) – Preservative — EFSA Panel on Food Additives, EFSA Journal (2015). Used to sterilize beverages; rapidly hydrolyzed to methanol and CO2; EFSA concluded safe at intended uses.[safe_in_moderation]
Frequently asked questions
Is E242 safe?
Our overall verdict for E242 (Dimethyl dicarbonate) is “Safe”, based on the most cautious of the major regulators’ positions — FDA: safe; WHO: safe; EFSA: safe; FSANZ: safe; Japan: safe; UK FSA: safe; Health Canada: safe.
Is E242 vegan, halal or gluten-free?
According to our ingredient data for Dimethyl dicarbonate — 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 E242 and why is it used?
Dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC) is a preservative added to wine, fruit juices, and some non-alcoholic beverages to kill yeast and prevent fermentation or spoilage during bottling. Its key advantage is that it breaks down completely within a few hours into carbon dioxide and trace amounts of methanol, leaving no active residue in the final product. It's approved as safe by the FDA and EFSA for use within strict dosing limits, and because it fully decomposes, it doesn't need to be declared as an ingredient on final product labels in most jurisdictions.
Does E242 contain allergens?
No known allergens are recorded for Dimethyl dicarbonate.
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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.