Methylparaben
Other names E218, methyl paraben
Methylparaben: high in salicylate; moderate in histamine. If you're sensitive to any of these, check it against your profile before eating.
Intolerances
- SalicylateHigh
Parabens are esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, close enough to salicylic acid that salicylate-sensitive people often react. Methylparaben is the most widely used of them.
Sources· 1
- Baenkler H-W., Dtsch Arztebl Int 105:8 (2008) 137-142, salicylate intolerance - mechanism, clinical spectrum, diagnosis and treatment
- Histamine (+liberators / DAO inhibitors)Moderate
Methylparaben (E218) is an ester of para-hydroxybenzoic acid - close enough to the benzoates that elimination diets treat them together. It is one of the two paraben families still authorised in EU food, in a narrow set of uses. Liberator rather than source, with the same double-blind caveat. The Swiss list rates it 2 of 3 and marks it L, its letter for liberators of mast cell mediators — a presumed reason rather than a measurement.
Sources· 4
- Zuberbier et al., EAACI/GA2LEN/EDF/WAO urticaria guideline
- EFSA re-evaluation of parabens
- Reg. (EC) No 1333/2008 for the authorised list
- SIGHI — Swiss Interest Group Histamine Intolerance, food-compatibility list (2024-08-29), for the L classification and the compatibility rating
- TyramineNone
- SucroseNone
- FODMAPsNone
- LactoseFODMAPsNone
- OligosaccharidesFODMAPsNone
- SorbitolFODMAPsNone
- FructoseFODMAPsNone
- NickelNone
- OxalatesNone
- GlutenNo
Intolerance levels are based on our documented scientific sources. See sources →
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Frequently asked questions
Which intolerances does methylparaben affect?
Methylparaben is notable for salicylate and histamine. Clear on tyramine, sucrose, FODMAPs, lactose, oligosaccharides, sorbitol, fructose, nickel, oxalates and gluten.
Does methylparaben contain salicylate?
Yes — methylparaben is high in salicylate. Parabens are esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid, close enough to salicylic acid that salicylate-sensitive people often react. Methylparaben is the most widely used of them.
Does methylparaben contain histamine?
Methylparaben contains moderate levels of histamine. Methylparaben (E218) is an ester of para-hydroxybenzoic acid - close enough to the benzoates that elimination diets treat them together. It is one of the two paraben families still authorised in EU food, in a narrow set of uses. Liberator rather than source, with the same double-blind caveat. The Swiss list rates it 2 of 3 and marks it L, its letter for liberators of mast cell mediators — a presumed reason rather than a measurement. Amounts vary by brand and recipe, so always check the label of the exact product.
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