What is E464?
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (E464) is a modified cellulose used for thickening, stabilising and film-forming. Goodnessly rates E464 Safe within permitted food uses.
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is used in specified food applications. Check the food category, amount and full formulation rather than judging one ingredient in isolation.
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Read the FAQ →
What is Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose?
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a modified cellulose. It can provide viscosity, stabilisation and film-forming properties in food formulations.
What's it used for?
- Thickening and building viscosity
- Stabilising mixtures
- Forming edible films or coatings
- Supporting suspension and texture
Where you'll find E464 on the shelf
It is most relevant to sauces, coatings, bakery products, processed foods and formulations where viscosity or film formation is useful.
Is E464 permitted? What the regulators say
E464 is authorised or permitted in the three systems checked, with specifications, food categories and good manufacturing practice conditions applying.
| Region | Status | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| AU/NZ Australia & New Zealand (FSANZ) | Permitted with conditions | FSANZ Schedule 15 includes additive 464 hydroxypropyl methylcellulose for specified food uses. |
| EU European Union (EFSA) | Authorised with conditions | E464 hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is on the EU Union list for specified food categories and conditions. |
| US United States (FDA) | Permitted with conditions | FDA 21 CFR 172.874 permits hydroxypropyl methylcellulose for listed technical functions when it meets the stated standards and conditions. |
Goodnessly rates E464 Safe within its rating system. The rating does not remove the need to consider the product category, amount or full formulation.
- EFSA’s 2018 re-evaluation of celluloses including E464 concluded that a numerical ADI was unnecessary at reported uses and levels.
- The Panel noted low toxicity and no genotoxic concern for the evaluated cellulose group, while the conclusion depends on the substances and uses assessed.
- JECFA and the former EU Scientific Committee had used an ADI of “not specified” for unmodified and modified celluloses.
This section is checked periodically rather than continuously — if you're reading this well after the date above, it's worth confirming nothing has changed before citing it.
Who might want to limit or avoid it
- People checking thickeners and stabilisers
- People comparing texture systems in sauces, coatings and processed foods
- People who want to distinguish modified cellulose from other functional ingredients
Goodnessly rates E464 Safe as a practical prompt to understand the ingredient, the product and the overall formulation.
How to spot it on a label
Look for:
- Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose
- Hypromellose
- 464 or E464
- Thickener (464)
Ingredient labels may use the name, the number, or the additive class followed by the number.
Related additives
Frequently asked questions
What is E464?
E464 is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, a modified cellulose used for thickening, stabilising and film-forming functions.
Is E464 permitted?
E464 is permitted with conditions in Australia/New Zealand and the EU, and FDA permits hydroxypropyl methylcellulose for specified US food uses.
Why is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose rated Safe?
Goodnessly rates E464 Safe within its rating system, while the permitted use, specifications and full formulation still matter.
How does Goodnessly rate E464?
Goodnessly rates E464 (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) as Safe.
Don't decode labels by hand
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