Ethyl Paraben E214
paraben — Primarily synthetic.
Ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
CAS: 120-47-8
Factual Regulatory Reference
This database provides factual regulatory information compiled from official government sources. It does not constitute medical, nutritional, or safety advice. Regulatory status varies by country and is subject to change. Always refer to your local regulatory authority for the most current information.
What Is Ethyl Paraben?
Ethyl paraben (E214) is a synthetic ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid produced by esterification with ethanol in the presence of an acid catalyst; it has broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against bacteria, yeasts, and molds, making it effective as a preservative in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. In food applications, it is used in limited categories — primarily beverages and some processed foods — but its most widespread use is in cosmetics such as lotions, shampoos, and lipsticks. EFSA (2004) and JECFA (2007) established a group ADI of 10 mg/kg body weight per day shared with methyl paraben; regulatory attention has increased following the EU's prohibition of longer-chain parabens (propyl, butyl) from food in 2006 due to endocrine disruption concerns, and the European Commission's 2023 classification of all parabens as Category 1 endocrine disruptors, which as of the verification date had not yet triggered food-use restrictions for ethyl paraben.
? Did You Know?
Beyond food, Ethyl Paraben is also used in cosmetics, medicine, industrial applications. Its versatility makes it one of the most multi-purpose chemical compounds in everyday life.
To reach the Acceptable Daily Intake limit, a 60kg adult would need to consume approximately ~15 applications cosmetic products (0.4% paraben content, 10g applied) in a single day. (This is a mathematical illustration, not a safety recommendation.)
Regulatory Analysis
Ethyl paraben's classification as a Category 1 endocrine disruptor by the European Commission in 2023 creates a regulatory dissonance where a substance officially recognized as interfering with hormonal systems remains approved for food use, while longer-chain parabens (propyl, butyl) have been prohibited since 2006. The controversy is amplified by the cosmetics-food regulatory overlap: the same compound applied to skin and ingested orally faces different safety frameworks despite contributing to cumulative systemic exposure. The paraben debate has fundamentally challenged the traditional additive-by-additive assessment model, as the endocrine disruption concern implicates aggregate exposure across food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals rather than any single source.
Detailed Regulatory Assessment
European Union (EFSA)
Group ADI of 0-10 mg/kg bw/day for methyl and ethyl parabens; use restricted to specific food categories
United States (FDA)
Approved for food use; more commonly found in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals
Japan (MHLW)
Part of paraben group with usage standards; limited food applications
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
International Standard (JECFA)
mg/kg body weight per day
European Standard (EFSA)
Everyday Perspective
For a 60kg adult, this limit is roughly equivalent to consuming:
Natural Occurrence
This additive is not known to occur naturally in significant quantities.
Manufacturing
Produced by esterification of p-hydroxybenzoic acid with ethanol in the presence of an acid catalyst (typically sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid). Can also be synthesized through the Kolbe-Schmitt reaction followed by esterification.
Applications Beyond Food
Widely used in cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, and personal care products (up to 0.4%)
Used in pharmaceutical preparations, tablet coatings, and topical medications
Used in industrial coatings and adhesives