Additives
Hexamethylene Tetramine (E239): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Hazardous
Preservative · Antimicrobial
Antimicrobial preservative that releases formaldehyde in food — a substance classified by IARC as a Group 1 carcinogen. Restricted in the EU to Provolone cheese only. Banned in many countries including the USA. Should be avoided where possible.
- Category
- Preservative — Antimicrobial
- Typically used in
- Provolone cheese (EU only, restricted use)
- Regulatory status
- Restricted to Provolone in EU. Banned USA. Releases formaldehyde (IARC Group 1).
- Also listed as
- Hexamine
- Concerns flagged
-
Carcinogenicity concernGenotoxicity concern
Scrannr flags Hexamethylene Tetramine automatically when you scan a barcode.
Sources
Where this comes from
- EFSA (2014) — Scientific Opinion on the re-evaluation of hexamethylene tetramine -E 239- as a food additive http://dx.doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3696
Products
Products containing Hexamethylene Tetramine
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