Formaldehyde
Function: Preservatives
E240 is the European food-additive number for Formaldehyde, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Formaldehyde (E240) is a food additive used as a food additive.
What is E240 used for?
Formaldehyde (E240) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all Preservatives (E-numbers).
Is E240 safe or restricted?
E240 is banned or severely restricted in one or more jurisdictions. Forkin classifies it as “Banned or severely restricted” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.
Is E240 vegan or vegetarian?
Formaldehyde (E240) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
The production source can vary between manufacturers — the Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product. Always read the label for allergens.
Which foods contain E240?
E240 appears in 14 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in Sweet Pastries, Pork (General), and Tarama / Taramasalata.
- Sweet Pastries2
- Pork (General)1
- Tarama / Taramasalata1
- Fresh Fruits1
- Poultry1
- Processed Meat1
- Sour Candy1
- Pastry1
Often appears alongside
Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E240 across the catalogue.
Counts reflect Forkin's independently enriched product catalogue and update as new products are added — they are not a market-share statistic.
Frequently asked questions about E240
- What is E240?
- E240 is the E-number for Formaldehyde, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Formaldehyde (E240) is a food additive used as a food additive.
- What is E240 used for?
- Formaldehyde (E240) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Which foods contain E240?
- E240 appears in 14 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in Sweet Pastries, Pork (General), and Tarama / Taramasalata. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
- Is E240 vegan or vegetarian?
- Formaldehyde (E240) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E240 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E240 is banned or severely restricted in one or more jurisdictions. Forkin classifies it as ‘Banned or severely restricted’ and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E240 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan and vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.