Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (E464)
- Food Fine
What is Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (E464)?
Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, or HPMC (E464), is a modified plant fibre used in vegetarian capsules, baked goods and plant-based foods. It passes through your body largely unchanged. It's fine at normal amounts; only very large intakes have a laxative effect.
What is Yasno’s verdict on Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose?
Yasno’s verdict on Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose: Fine. No meaningful concern at normal amounts.
Is Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose allowed in the EU?
EU status of Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose: Permitted as a food additive. Conditions and limits come from the regulation cited below. Yasno summarises them and does not replace the legal text.
| Where | EU | US |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Permitted as a food additive | Not recorded |
What else is it called?
- 2-Thiophenecarboxylic acid, 2-hexadecylhydrazide
- DTXSID701238689
- DTXCID201669605
- Hypromellose
- HPMC
Sources
- EU Food Additives Register — POL-FAD-IMPORT-3169, European Commission (DG SANTE), 2011
- Re-evaluation of celluloses as food additives, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2018
- Safety of a proposed amendment of the specifications for hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (E 464) as a food additive, European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), 2015
Always check the physical label. Yasno describes evidence and regulatory status. It never says a product is free of an allergen or safe for you, and it is not medical advice.
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