Ethoxyquin (E324): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Ethoxyquin is a synthetic antioxidant used mainly to prevent rancidity and to stop fish meal from overheating during storage. It is not authorised as a food additive in the EU, and its feed-additive authorisation was suspended in 2017 through Commission Implementing Regulation 2017/962 after EFSA could not conclude on its safety. A metabolite, ethoxyquin quinone imine, may be genotoxic, and the manufacturing impurity p-phenetidine is a possible mutagen; residues can reach people indirectly through animal products such as fish, eggs, and poultry.
- Category
- Antioxidant
- Typically used in
- Antioxidant in animal feed and fish meal; residues may reach food via animal products.
- Regulatory status
- Not authorised as a food additive in the EU; feed use suspended in 2017.
- Concerns flagged
-
Genotoxicity concern
Scrannr flags Ethoxyquin automatically when you scan a barcode.
Where this comes from
- EFSA (2015) — Ethoxyquin EFSA safety assessment inconclusive https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press/news/151118
- Food Standards Agency (2024) — Approved additives and E numbers https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/approved-additives-and-e-numbers
Products containing Ethoxyquin
We're building product pages that show real UK products containing Ethoxyquin, 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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