Preservative · CAS 94-13-3
Propylparaben
FDA status: Banned. EU: Banned. 2 U.S. states regulate it.
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. By tracked product count it ranks #270 of 417; among state-regulated additives it ranks #5 of 8.
- #270 of 417 by tracked product prevalence
- #5 of 8 among state-regulated additives
The verdict
According to state food-safety statutes PlainIngredients tracks, Propylparaben ranks #5 of 8 among additives with at least one U.S. state regulation (most-regulated first). By Open Food Facts product count it sits #270 of 417 among additives with tracked product presence (35th percentile).
- 1/5
- Banned / Avoid
- #5 of 8
- state-ban corpus rank
- #270 of 417
- product-prevalence rank
- 2
- state regulations
State-action and regulatory snapshot
Propylparaben: 2 independent U.S. state statutes sit beside the federal row, start there, then FDA/EU.
| Property | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. State Actions | 2 states · #5 of 8 | State legislative records |
| 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 |
| 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.
What is Propylparaben?
Preservative used in baked goods.
Health Concerns
- Endocrine disruptor — mimics estrogen. Linked to decreased fertility.
Common Uses
State Regulations
| State | Status | Effective Date | Bill |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Banned | 2027-01-01 | AB 418 |
| New York | Banned | 2027-07-01 | A 6424 |
State-action peer axes
Nationwide peers beside 2 state statutes
State-action mass (2 statutes) frames safety-score peers (1/5); product-count column omitted on state-action-led pages.
Same 1/5 score, different state-action mass
Nearest other additives by PlainIngredients safety score (floored at ≥50 tracked products), distinct from the count row.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Propylparaben safe to consume?
Propylparaben scores 1/5 (Banned / Avoid). the FDA bans it for food use, yet 2 U.S. states regulate it on their own statutes, that state-action gap is the lead signal here, not the federal label alone.
What is Propylparaben used for in food?
Propylparaben is used as Tortillas, muffins, some food dyes (Preservative). State statutes (2) matter more for this additive than the use list alone.
Where does Propylparaben sit among food additives PlainIngredients tracks?
Among additives with at least one U.S. state regulation, Propylparaben ranks #5 of 8 by the number of distinct states regulating it (same sort as the state-ban rankings page). Among additives with at least one tracked product, it ranks #270 of 417 by Open Food Facts product count. See /methodology#corpus-placement for the ranking bases.
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 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.