Methylparaben

Methylparaben is the methyl ester of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, belonging to the paraben family of preservatives. In food, it prevents the growth of moulds and bacteria in products such as baked goods, beverages, jellies, and syrups. It is also very widely used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, meaning total daily exposure to methylparaben can come from multiple sources simultaneously.

JECFA established a group ADI of 10 mg per kilogram of body weight per day for total hydroxybenzoates and their salts based on its 1996 evaluation. For a 70 kg adult this is 700 mg per day. Exposure from food alone is typically well below this level, but combined exposure from food, cosmetics, and medicines can be more significant. In vitro studies have detected weak oestrogenic activity; the regulatory consensus is that food-use levels do not present an endocrine risk, though the science remains actively discussed.

Methylparaben is approved in the EU (E218), though its use is restricted to specific food categories. The US FDA permits it in certain applications. Consumers concerned about cumulative paraben exposure — particularly from personal care products — may choose to minimise food sources as well. Looksee classifies this as a limit additive, reflecting the contested data around oestrogenic activity rather than a clear safety finding at typical dietary exposures.