Ingredient Index · E310
Is Propyl Gallate (E310) banned in Europe?
No: propyl gallate is a permitted antioxidant in both the EU and the US. Despite the "banned in Europe" claims that circulate online, it is not banned in Europe. This is a myth-correction entry.
What the EU does
Permitted. Propyl gallate is authorized as a food additive in the EU under the number E310, where it works as an antioxidant to stop fats and oils from going rancid. It is not on the prohibited list. EFSA re-evaluated the gallates, including propyl gallate, and confirmed an acceptable daily intake, concluding it is safe when used within approved limits and finding it neither genotoxic nor carcinogenic.
The "banned in Europe" label attached to this ingredient is simply wrong. Like several additives that get swept into viral lists, propyl gallate is restricted to certain uses and maximum levels, which is not the same thing as a ban.
Citation E310 authorized under Reg (EC) No 1333/2008 (EU food additives); EFSA re-evaluation of propyl gallate (E310), EFSA Journal 2014 (ADI confirmed; not genotoxic or carcinogenic)
What the US does
Permitted. In the US, propyl gallate is allowed as an antioxidant preservative, often alongside relatives like BHA and BHT, in products containing fats and oils. It appears on labels by name. There is no US ban either.
So this is a clean case of both systems agreeing, and of a persistent internet myth. It is worth correcting precisely because the value of a "banned in Europe" claim depends on it being true when it is made.
Citation US: propyl gallate permitted as a food antioxidant (21 CFR 184.1660, GRAS with limits)
Products that commonly contain it
As an antioxidant preservative, propyl gallate turns up in:
- Products with fats and oils, like snack foods and shortening
- Some meat products and bouillon
- Chewing gum
- Cosmetics and personal-care products
What to look for on a label
This one is usually visible on the label:
- Look for "propyl gallate" or "E310"
- It is often paired with BHA or BHT in the same product
- Its presence is not a safety alarm; it is a common, approved antioxidant
Or skip the squinting: paste the whole ingredient list into our checker and it flags everything in our database. Nothing you paste leaves your browser.
Frequently asked questions
Is propyl gallate banned in Europe?
No. It is a permitted antioxidant food additive in the EU (E310) and in the US. The claim that it is banned in Europe is a myth.
Is it safe?
EFSA re-evaluated it and confirmed an acceptable daily intake, finding it neither genotoxic nor carcinogenic when used within approved limits.
Why do people think it is banned?
It gets swept into viral lists of "additives banned in Europe," often confused with the fact that its use is restricted to certain foods and levels, which is not a ban.
Related ingredients
Related reading
Primary sources
- EFSA re-evaluation of propyl gallate (E310) as a food additive, 2014
- US FDA: propyl gallate (21 CFR 184.1660)
- EU food additives database (E310)
Last reviewed August 13, 2026 · How we assign statuses