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Propyl Gallate (E310) — What You Need to Know

Caution(5/10)Synthetic

The score is an eNumbers.org editorial summary, not an official agency rating or medical advice. Start with the regulatory status and primary sources below.

What Is Propyl Gallate?

Propyl gallate is a synthetic antioxidant used to prevent the oxidation of fats and oils in processed foods. It is the propyl ester of gallic acid and is often used in combination with BHA and BHT for synergistic antioxidant effects. It is increasingly being replaced by natural alternatives such as tocopherols and rosemary extract.

What Is It Used For?

Prevents rancidity and oxidation in fats, oils, and fat-containing foods. Often used in combination with BHA and BHT for enhanced antioxidant protection.

Function: Antioxidant, fat preservative
0.2 mg
Dataset exposure estimate
35 mg
ADI-derived reference (70 kg)
0.6%
of ADI (typical diet)

Exposure figures are population-level references, not personal limits. Actual intake varies by diet, product and jurisdiction.

Regulatory & Editorial Context

📊
Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI)
0.5 mg/kg bw/day
🏛️
Regulatory Status
🇺🇸 USA (FDA): GRAS
🇪🇺 EU (EFSA): Authorized
⚠️ Key Concerns

Synthetic antioxidant used to prevent oxidation of fats and oils. Low ADI (0.5 mg/kg bw/day) reflects the relatively limited safety database. Some in vitro studies show estrogenic activity. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) found some evidence of tumors in rats at high doses, but results were not conclusive. Often used in combination with BHA and BHT. Being increasingly replaced by natural antioxidants (tocopherols, rosemary extract).

Editorial context score

eNumbers.org currently assigns Propyl Gallate an editorial context label of Caution with a score of 5/10. This is 2.1 points below the database average for antioxidants (7.1/10). Dataset reference year: 2018. The dataset's population estimate equals about 0.6% of the listed ADI.

This score is not issued by EFSA, FDA, WHO or another regulator.

Commonly Found In

Cooking oilsRendered fatsChewing gumInstant soupsDried meat
Example brands:
CriscoWrigley's

Always check the label for E310 or 'Propyl Gallate'

▶Chemical Information
Formula: C10H12O5
Molecular Weight: 212.2 g/mol
CAS Number: 121-79-9
INS Number: 310
Also known as: E310, INS 310, Propyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate, Gallic acid propyl ester

Frequently Asked Questions about Propyl Gallate

Current dataset status: FDA — GRAS; EFSA/EU — Authorized. Reported concerns: Synthetic antioxidant used to prevent oxidation of fats and oils. Low ADI (0.5 mg/kg bw/day) reflects the relatively limited safety database. Some in vitro studies show estrogenic activity. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) found some evidence of tumors in rats at high doses, but results were not conclusive. Often used in combination with BHA and BHT. Being increasingly replaced by natural antioxidants (tocopherols, rosemary extract). Regulatory status and individual risk are not the same; check the primary sources and permitted conditions of use.

Quick Facts

E-Number
E310
INS Number
310
Category
Antioxidants
Origin
Synthetic
FDA Status
GRAS
EFSA Status
Authorized
ADI
0.5 mg/kg bw/day
Dataset Review
2018
Ingredient-level Dietary Notes
Vegan: ✅ YesHalal: ✅ YesKosher: ✅ YesGluten-Free: ✅ Yes

Carriers, processing aids and product certification can change suitability. Verify the final label and certifier.

Quick Links

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for health-related decisions.

Related Additives

Other antioxidants in the same family

Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) (E320)Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) (E321)tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) (E319)Tocopherols (Vitamin E) (E306)