Is e240 vegan?

E240 is the E-number for formaldehyde, a simple chemical compound that historically served as an antimicrobial preservative. Although regulatory authorities have banned or severely restricted its direct addition to food in many parts of the world, including the European Union, it was traditionally used in the manufacturing of certain hard cheeses, preserved fish products, and as a bacteriostatic agent in sugar refining. It may also appear on technical labels related to processing aids or food contact materials.

Industrially, formaldehyde is manufactured through the vapor-phase catalytic oxidation of methanol, which is itself derived from natural gas or synthesis gas. This manufacturing pathway relies exclusively on synthetic and petrochemical feedstocks. Because no animal tissues, byproducts, or animal-derived processing aids are used at any stage of its production, E240 is considered vegan.