Formaldehyde (E240): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Formaldehyde is a reactive, genotoxic compound that IARC classifies as a Group 1 carcinogen, with sufficient evidence in humans for nasopharyngeal cancer and leukaemia. It is not authorised as a direct food additive in the EU or GB; regulated food exposure is limited to natural background levels and small amounts migrating from food-contact materials. Its former use as a preservative is prohibited.
- Category
- Preservative
- Typically used in
- Not used as a food additive; may occur naturally or migrate in trace amounts from packaging.
- Regulatory status
- Not permitted as a food additive in the EU. IARC Group 1 carcinogen.
- Concerns flagged
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Carcinogenicity concernGenotoxicity concern
Scrannr flags Formaldehyde automatically when you scan a barcode.
Where this comes from
- IARC (2006) — IARC Monographs Volume 88 Formaldehyde 2-Butoxyethanol and 1-tert-Butoxypropan-2-ol https://publications.iarc.who.int/Book-And-Report-Series/Iarc-Monographs-On-The-Identification-Of-Carcinogenic-Hazards-To-Humans/Formaldehyde-2-Butoxyethanol-And-1--Em-Tert-Em--Butoxypropan-2-ol-2006
- Food Standards Agency (2024) — Approved additives and E numbers https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/approved-additives-and-e-numbers
Products containing Formaldehyde
We're building product pages that show real UK products containing Formaldehyde, using Open Food Facts data. They'll appear here soon — in the meantime, scan any barcode with the Scrannr app to check for it instantly.
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