E239: Hexamethylene Tetramine
Main role: restricted preservation
Also listed as: hexamethylenetetramine, hexamine, urotropine
What is E239 (Hexamethylene Tetramine)?
E239 is hexamethylene tetramine, a preservative associated with a very limited food application. Its unfamiliar name sometimes appears on specialty cheese labels. It should be looked up by its exact identity because a narrow food authorization is not permission for general household use.
What does it do in food?
Its main role is restricted preservation. Preservation is one part of a food safety system. Recipe acidity, processing, packaging, and storage also affect how a product keeps. Follow the finished product’s storage instructions even when a preservative is listed.
Food and formulation examples
- Specified Provolone cheese preservation
These examples describe formulation roles, not a list of unrestricted legal uses. Availability and permitted applications differ by country and food category.
Label names and ingredient questions
Look for E239, E 239, or the ingredient name. Related names and label terms include hexamethylenetetramine, hexamine, urotropine. A family code can cover more than one specified form; check the full declaration when the distinction matters.
This is a specialized additive with restricted applications. Do not confuse a food-grade ingredient used under specified conditions with fuel tablets or industrial products sharing the name hexamine.
Is E239 safe?
There is no meaningful personal risk estimate from an E number alone. Food-grade specifications, allowed uses, amount consumed, and individual circumstances all matter. The authorization record below gives the legal scope; it is not a claim that every possible use is appropriate.
A label identifies the ingredient but usually not its concentration. Calculating daily intake requires the amount in the food and the quantities eaten.
Authorization and conditions of use
The Great Britain food additive register lists E239 as Hexamethylene tetramine. This is an entry subject to its stated conditions, not unrestricted permission for every food. The record links to the applicable authorization terms. For an EU product, use the European Commission food additive database to check the relevant food category and limits. Other countries may use different names or rules.