E-numbers / Preservatives / E214
also: Ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate · Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate · Ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate
A synthetic preservative from the paraben family, added to stop mould, yeast and bacteria growing in meat coatings, fish pastes and food supplements.
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Parabens mildly mimic the hormone oestrogen and show anti-androgenic activity in laboratory and animal studies, placing them in the endocrine-disrupting chemical category.
Why it’s worth knowing. Parabens mildly mimic the hormone oestrogen and show anti-androgenic activity in laboratory and animal studies, placing them in the endocrine-disrupting chemical category. Animal studies at doses approaching the current acceptable daily intake found uterotrophic effects for ethylparaben. Observational studies link higher paraben exposure during pregnancy to changes in early-childhood behaviour, though the evidence is still preliminary.
Ethylparaben is the ethyl ester of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, a synthetic compound that appears as a white crystalline powder. It belongs to the paraben family, a group of structurally similar preservatives derived from para-hydroxybenzoic acid. Its sodium salt is sold as E215.
Ethylparaben disrupts the cell membranes of bacteria, yeasts and moulds, preventing them from growing and extending the shelf life of food. It works across a wide pH range, which makes it useful in acidic and mildly alkaline products. It is generally used alongside other parabens rather than alone.
Found mainly in jelly coatings on meat and fish products, meat and fish pastes, shrimp products, marinades, seasoning sauces, coated nuts, potato and cereal-based snacks, and liquid or semi-liquid food supplements. It is not permitted in any baby or infant food. On the label, look for 'ethylparaben', 'ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate' or 'E214'.
Ethylparaben binds to oestrogen receptors and shows weak oestrogen-like activity in laboratory and animal tests. A 2016 animal study found that oral doses of ethylparaben at 4 mg/kg body weight per day, which approaches the current acceptable daily intake, produced measurable uterotrophic effects in immature female rats, with gene expression changes consistent with oestrogenic action. The estrogenic potency of ethylparaben is considerably lower than endogenous oestrogen, but higher than that of propylparaben or butylparaben in some test systems.
Ethylparaben produced significant uterine weight increases in immature female rats at 4 mg/kg body weight per day, with a no-observed-effect level of 0.8 mg/kg body weight per day, at doses approaching human dietary exposure levels.
Parabens show weak oestrogen-like activity in laboratory and animal tests and are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals, with ethylparaben among those demonstrating receptor-binding activity across more than 25 studies reviewed.
Parabens, including ethylparaben, can bind to androgen receptors and reduce their activity. An observational study in men found that increasing urinary ethylparaben levels were associated with decreased total sperm motility in some analyses. The longer-chain parabens (propyl, butyl) show stronger anti-androgenic effects than ethyl and methyl parabens, but the class effect applies across the group.
Higher urinary ethylparaben levels were associated with decreased total sperm motility in a case-control study of reproductive-aged men, though statistical significance was limited to unadjusted models in the control group.
Parabens act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals by exhibiting anti-androgenic activity and perturbing the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, with effects observed across the paraben class.
Several prospective cohort studies have measured paraben levels in pregnant women's urine and followed the children's development. One 2025 study found that gestational exposure to ethylparaben in particular was associated with increased externalising behaviours (such as aggressiveness and hyperactivity) in children assessed at ages 2 to 4. Findings across studies are mixed, and confounding cannot be ruled out in observational research.
Gestational ethylparaben exposure was associated with increased externalising behaviour scores on the Child Behavior Checklist at ages 2, 3 and 4 in a prospective cohort study measuring pooled prenatal urine samples across pregnancy.
Prenatal paraben exposure was associated with altered neurodevelopmental outcomes in some prospective cohort studies, though results across studies are inconsistent and causal inference is limited.
The EFSA 2004 scientific opinion set a group acceptable daily intake of 0 to 10 mg/kg body weight per day for methyl, ethyl and propyl parabens combined. Subsequent animal studies have challenged the no-observed-adverse-effect level underpinning that figure, reporting effects on puberty timing and uterine weight at doses that fall within or close to the ADI range. EFSA's most recent published assessment for this group dates from 2004, and a formal re-evaluation had not been completed as of 2026.
The EFSA AFC Panel established a group ADI of 0 to 10 mg/kg body weight per day for the paraben food additive group (E214, E215, E218, E219) and noted parabens are not permitted in foods for infants and young children.
Some in vivo studies challenge the NOAEL used by EFSA for methyl- and ethylparaben, as it does not account for spermatogenic effects or effects found at lower doses, such as delayed vaginal opening in pre-pubertal rats.
People trying to reduce overall exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, those who are pregnant or planning pregnancy, and parents of young children may wish to limit intake. Infants and young children cannot be exposed via food, as parabens are not permitted in products for that age group. On a label, look for 'ethylparaben', 'ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate' or 'E214'.
Ethylparaben sits in a genuinely contested scientific space. The regulatory position, based on a 2004 EFSA opinion, is that current permitted levels are not a concern for adults. But several animal studies published after that opinion found effects at doses approaching the acceptable daily intake, and the NOAEL underpinning the ADI has been directly challenged in the peer-reviewed literature. Observational human studies on prenatal paraben exposure and child development have produced mixed results, with some showing associations with behavioural changes and others finding no effect. Ethylparaben is weaker in its hormonal activity than the longer-chain parabens (propyl and butyl), which is part of why it was retained while E216 was withdrawn from food use. Dietary exposure from food alone is generally low, but people absorb parabens from cosmetics and medicines too, and the cumulative picture matters. The science here is live, not settled.
No. Ethylparaben (E214) is approved for use as a food preservative in the UK and EU under assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. It is permitted in specific food categories including meat coatings, fish pastes, snacks and food supplements. Propylparaben (E216) was removed from the permitted list in 2006, but ethylparaben was retained.
In 2006 the EU withdrew propylparaben (E216) and its sodium salt (E217) from the permitted food additives list following concerns that reproductive effects had been observed in rats at doses within the existing acceptable daily intake range. Ethylparaben shows weaker hormonal activity than propylparaben in most test systems, which is why regulators retained it, though later studies have raised questions about the adequacy of the evidence base used to set the ADI for the remaining parabens.
Ethylparaben is most commonly found in jelly coatings on processed meat and fish products, meat and fish pastes, shrimp products, marinades, seasoning sauces, coated nuts, potato and cereal snacks, and some liquid food supplements. It is not permitted in baby foods or products for infants and young children. It is uncommon in everyday grocery items and is more often found in catering and deli products.
Yes. Ethylparaben is a synthetic compound produced chemically and does not contain any animal-derived ingredients. However, the foods it is used in, such as meat pastes and fish products, are not vegan.
Last reviewed: 20 June 2026
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