FDA Status
Banned
Since 2025-01-15
Preservative · CAS 94-13-3
Propylparaben
FDA status: Banned. EU: Banned. 2 U.S. states regulate it.
1.0 / 5
Composite safety Banned / Avoid
Score 1 of 5
Propylparaben: 1/5 (Banned / Avoid)
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Propylparaben is banned by the FDA, though 2 U.S. states have enacted independent regulation on it, a sign federal and state views on this additive diverge. Its composite safety score is 1 out of 5 (Banned / Avoid), and the European Union separately classifies it as banned. It is a comparatively niche additive by product count.
- 35th percentile by tracked product prevalence
- Regulated by 2 U.S. states, independent of federal FDA status
The verdict
Propylparaben is banned by the FDA, but 2 states have acted independently, a sign federal and state views on this additive diverge. It is a comparatively niche additive by product count (35th percentile by tracked product count).
- 1/5
- Banned / Avoid
- Banned
- FDA status
- 35th pctile
- by product prevalence
- 2
- state regulations
Propylparaben, CAS 94-13-3, is a preservative additive holding a composite safety score of 1 out of 5 (Banned / Avoid). According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Substances Added to Food inventory, it is currently classified as Banned (status effective 2025-01-15), while the European Union lists it as Banned. This ingredient appears in approximately 6 tracked food products across our database. It is most commonly used as Tortillas, muffins, some food dyes.
Regulatory pressure is notable: 2 U.S. states have enacted legislation targeting Propylparaben, including California, New York. State actions frequently diverge from federal FDA policy, with legislative trends tending toward stricter controls than the federal baseline.
Peer-reviewed research has flagged 1 distinct area of health concern for Propylparaben, which factors directly into the assigned safety score. All figures above draw on FDA SAFFA inventory records, EU food additive regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, EFSA scientific opinions where published, and legislative records from individual U.S. states.
Regulatory Snapshot
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FDA Status | Banned (2025-01-15) | FDA SAFFA |
| EU Status | Banned | EC 1333/2008 |
| E-Number | - | EU additive register |
| CAS Number | 94-13-3 | CAS Registry |
| Category | Preservative | FDA functional class |
| Composite Safety Score | 1 / 5 (Banned / Avoid) | PlainIngredients methodology |
| EFSA ADI | Not established | EFSA scientific opinion |
| U.S. State Actions | 2 states | State legislative records |
| Tracked Products | 6 | Open Food Facts (US) |
Values reflect official agency classifications as published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Union's regulatory framework. See our methodology for scoring details.
EU Status
Banned
U.S. State Regulations
2 states
California, New York
Safety Assessment
Propylparaben's 1/5 (Banned / Avoid) score reflects where this specific ingredient lands on that scale. The FDA has banned Propylparaben from food use, indicating sufficient evidence of safety concerns.
Notably, 2 US states have enacted regulations targeting Propylparaben, reflecting growing legislative attention to food additive safety at the state level. These state actions may differ from federal FDA policy and can range from outright bans to usage restrictions in certain product categories.
Research has identified 1 area of health concern associated with Propylparaben. Consumers with specific health conditions should consult a healthcare provider before consuming products containing this ingredient.
How Propylparaben compares
Where a safety score of 1/5 falls among all 4,509 scored ingredients tracked on PlainIngredients.
Ingredients by safety score (Propylparaben highlighted)
41 of 4,509 scored ingredients (0.9%) share a safety score of 1/5.
What is Propylparaben?
Preservative used in baked goods.
Health Concerns
- Endocrine disruptor — mimics estrogen. Linked to decreased fertility.
Common Uses
Tortillas, muffins, some food dyes
State Regulations
| State | Status | Effective Date | Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Banned | 2027-01-01 | AB 418 |
| New York | Banned | 2027-07-01 | A 6424 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Propylparaben safe to consume?
Propylparaben has a safety score of 1/5 (Banned / Avoid). It is banned by the FDA. It is regulated in 2 US states. Check with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
What is Propylparaben used for in food?
Propylparaben is commonly used as: Tortillas, muffins, some food dyes. It belongs to the Preservative category of food additives.
Is Propylparaben banned in any US states?
Yes, Propylparaben is regulated in 2 US states: California, New York. Regulations vary from full bans to restrictions on specific uses.
What is the difference between FDA and EU regulation of Propylparaben?
The FDA classifies Propylparaben as "Banned", while the EU status is "Banned". The FDA and EU use separate evaluation frameworks, the EU often applies the precautionary principle, sometimes banning additives that remain approved in the US. Always check both jurisdictions when evaluating food additive safety.
What health concerns are associated with Propylparaben?
Research has identified the following health concerns for Propylparaben: Endocrine disruptor — mimics estrogen. Linked to decreased fertility.. These findings inform its safety score of 1/5. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized guidance, especially if you have pre-existing conditions.
How is the safety score for Propylparaben calculated?
The safety score of 1/5 for Propylparaben is a composite assessment based on FDA regulatory status, EU approval status, published scientific research on health effects, and state-level legislative actions. A score of 1 means "Banned / Avoid" and 5 means "Generally Safe." The score is updated as new regulatory actions or scientific evidence emerge.
Data Sources
- FDA Substances Added to Food (SAFFA) Inventory
- EU Food Additive Regulations (EC) No 1333/2008
- State food safety legislation and bill records
Related Preservative Ingredients
What to do about Propylparaben
This additive is flagged, worth checking labels for.
- Check the FDA status (Banned) and EU status (Banned) before assuming it is risk-free. How we score
- 2 states have acted on this additive, see which and why. State actions
- Scan a whole ingredient label at once to flag the concerning entries. Label checker
Safety scores summarise regulatory status and published concerns; they are not medical or dietary advice.
Every figure on PlainIngredients is rendered directly from FDA, EU, EFSA and U.S. state regulatory records, no number is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.