E464Emulsifier · Stabiliser · Thickener
Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose
What the research shows
Not enough
published research on this page yet
Used in food as an emulsifier, stabiliser or thickener.
- Vegan
- Vegetarian
- EU permitted
What research says
Animal and lab studies only
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Benefit
How much the body absorbs3
In lab studies, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose carried more resveratrol through digestion and showed antioxidant activity.
How it’s made and used
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Bread texture and taste1
Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose made oat and barley breads bigger, softer, and better liked by tasters.
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Curcumin release in intestine2
In lab studies, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose microcapsules released curcumin mostly in the intestine.
The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.
What expert reviews concluded
Expert panels that weigh all the research. Shown for context: the signal at the top does not count them.
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UN and WHO food additive experts (JECFA), 2011
No daily limit needed (“ADI not specified”, JECFA’s term for very low toxicity).
Regulatory status
Checked Sep 2026-
United States Permitted FDA 21 CFR 172.874
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European Union Permitted EUR-Lex Reg. (EC) 1333/2008
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United Kingdom Permitted FSA retained EU law
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Canada Permitted Health Canada · Emulsifying Gelling Stabilizing Thickening Agents
Status reflects the named register on the date checked. It is not a safety rating.
How we checkProducts
The 6 most-scanned of 1,272 products on Open Food Facts that list hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose.
- pan de molde / pão de forma clásico / clássico Schär · 300 g 2 additives
- Seitan The ToFOOco. · 225 g 1 additive
- the original 10 potato waffles Birds Eye 1 additive
- GF Pizza Base Schär · 300 g 2 additives
- Propolis 1500 Now Foods · 100 capsule 4 additives
- 18 potato waffles Birds Eye · 1020 g 1 additive
References
- 1Kim Y, Yokoyama WH. Physical and sensory properties of all-barley and all-oat breads with additional hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) β-glucan. J Agric Food Chem. 2011;59(2):741-6. doi:10.1021/jf103817h
- 2Wang X, Liang X, Qiu Z, et al. HPMC-GG microcapsules for co-delivery of mannose and curcumin: enhanced intestinal targeting in functional foods. Food Chem. 2026;499:147335. doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.147335
- 3Silva PM, Neto MD, Cerqueira MA, et al. Resveratrol-loaded octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch emulsions and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) microparticles: Cytotoxicity and antioxidant bioactivity assessment after in vitro digestion. Int J Biol Macromol. 2024;259(Pt 2):129288. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129288