Hydroxypropyl cellulose
Overview
Hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) is a water-soluble cellulose ether that functions as a thickener, binder, film-former, and stabiliser. Unlike hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (E464), HPC dissolves in cold water and loses solubility when heated — a property used in certain food and pharmaceutical film-coating applications. It is used in baked goods, ice cream, and as a coating for confectionery.
JECFA's ADI is "not specified," evaluated in 1975. HPC is a non-digestible cellulose derivative that passes through the gut without significant absorption. It contributes to total dietary fibre intake and produces no metabolic effects. No adverse effects have been identified at any realistic dietary dose, consistent with its classification as inert cellulose-based material.
Hydroxypropyl cellulose is approved in the EU, US (GRAS), UK, and globally. It is encountered in bakery products, ice cream, and specialty coatings. Its safety profile is essentially equivalent to other cellulose ethers — chemically modified but metabolically inert. For the general population there are no health concerns at food additive concentrations.
Generated from verified JECFA, EFSA, and regulatory data. All numerical values are sourced from the WHO/FAO JECFA Combined Compendium and EFSA OpenFoodTox 3.0.
Safety Assessment
| Body | Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) | Year |
|---|---|---|
| JECFA | Not specified — no concern at typical intakes · JECFA 1975 | 1975 |
| EFSA | — | — |
ADI = the amount of a substance a person can consume every day over a lifetime without appreciable health risk. Expressed as mg per kg body weight per day. Source: WHO/FAO JECFA Combined Compendium; EFSA OpenFoodTox 3.0.
Scientific Notes
Water-soluble cellulose ether used as thickener and stabiliser; similar properties to HPMC (E464) but with different temperature behaviour.