Indian Regulations related to Parabens

As per the compendium on Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, the following parabens and derivatives are permitted to be added in food products as food additives:

• Sodium propyl p-hydroxybenzoate: It is the sodium salt of propylparaben and is also identified as E217.

• Sodium ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate: It is the sodium salt of ethylparaben and is also known as E215.

• Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate: It is also known as methylparaben (E218)

• Heptyl p-hydroxybenzoate: It is also known as heptylparaben (E209)

The 2016 amendment in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, states the name of the preservative used in the drug or the cosmetic product should be mentioned on the label.