Heptyl p-Hydroxybenzoate (E209): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Heptyl p-hydroxybenzoate is the heptyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, a paraben with antifungal preservative action. It is not authorised as a food additive in the EU or GB, though a few countries permit it in products such as beer and non-carbonated beverages. Like other parabens it shows weak oestrogenic activity in laboratory studies and can act as a contact allergen; food-additive exposure data specific to this ester are limited.
- Category
- Preservative — Paraben
- Typically used in
- Antifungal preservative in some non-EU beers and non-carbonated beverages; not used in EU food.
- Regulatory status
- Not authorised as a food additive in the EU.
- Concerns flagged
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Possible allergen
Scrannr flags Heptyl p-Hydroxybenzoate automatically when you scan a barcode.
Where this comes from
- Food Standards Agency (2024) — Approved additives and E numbers https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/approved-additives-and-e-numbers
- EFSA (2004) — EFSA advises on the safety of paraben usage in food https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/efsa-advises-safety-paraben-usage-food
Products containing Heptyl p-Hydroxybenzoate
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