Propyl Gallate vs Citric Acid — Which Is Worse?

FactorPropyl GallateCitric Acid
E-NumberE310E330
CategoryPreservativePreservative
SeverityModerate Risk (6/10)Moderate Risk (6/10)
FDA StatusFDA-approved as GRAS at levels not exceeding 0.02% of the fat or oil content of food (21 CFR 184.1660). Used in combinat…FDA classifies citric acid as GRAS (21 CFR 182.1033). No ADI established. It is one of the most common food additives wi…
EFSA StatusEFSA re-evaluated in 2014 and established a group ADI of 0.5 mg/kg body weight/day for gallates (E 310-312).EFSA approved with no numerical ADI. Considered safe at current usage levels. Re-evaluated in 2016.
Banned In——
Products Found0152

Key Differences

Health Concerns Comparison

Propyl Gallate

Citric Acid

Which Products Use Each?

0
products contain Propyl Gallate
152
products contain Citric Acid

⚖️ The Verdict

Both Propyl Gallate and Citric Acid have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse than the other based on current data.

Both ingredients should be consumed mindfully. Use CheckIt AI to scan products and avoid whichever ones concern you most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Propyl Gallate or Citric Acid worse?
Both Propyl Gallate and Citric Acid have the same severity score (6/10). Neither is clearly worse based on available data.
What is the difference between Propyl Gallate and Citric Acid?
Both are preservatives. Propyl Gallate has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 0 products. Citric Acid has a severity of 6/10 and is found in 152 products.
Are Propyl Gallate and Citric Acid banned?
Propyl Gallate is not currently banned in any major market. Citric Acid is not currently banned in any major market.
How can I avoid both Propyl Gallate and Citric Acid?
Download CheckIt AI and scan any product's barcode or ingredient label. The app will flag both Propyl Gallate and Citric Acid and suggest safer alternatives.
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BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Propyl GallateBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) vs Citric AcidBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Propyl GallateBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) vs Citric AcidSodium Nitrite vs Propyl GallateSodium Nitrite vs Citric AcidSodium Benzoate vs Propyl GallateSodium Benzoate vs Citric AcidTBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) vs Propyl GallateTBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone) vs Citric AcidCalcium Propionate vs Propyl GallateCalcium Propionate vs Citric Acid
Propyl Gallate Deep Dive Citric Acid Deep Dive All 180 Comparisons All Ingredients Ingredients Banned in Europe Scoring Methodology

⚕️ This comparison is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary guidance.

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📋 Cite This Data
APACheckIt AI. (2026). "Propyl Gallate vs Citric Acid — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI". Climaverse PBC. Retrieved from https://getcheck.it/ingredients/propyl-gallate-vs-citric-acid
MLA"Propyl Gallate vs Citric Acid — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI." CheckIt AI, Climaverse PBC, 2026-03-05. https://getcheck.it/ingredients/propyl-gallate-vs-citric-acid.
HTML Embed<a href="https://getcheck.it/ingredients/propyl-gallate-vs-citric-acid">Propyl Gallate vs Citric Acid — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI — CheckIt AI</a>
BibTeX@misc{checkit2026ingredientspropylgallatevscitricacid, title = {Propyl Gallate vs Citric Acid — Which Is Worse? | CheckIt AI}, author = {CheckIt AI}, year = {2026}, publisher = {Climaverse PBC}, url = {https://getcheck.it/ingredients/propyl-gallate-vs-citric-acid}, note = {Retrieved 2026-03-05} }