Have you ever wondered what hydroxypropyl methylcellulose was? In this article I’ll cover in plain english what is it, what it’s used for and whether it’s safe to eat.
Home Made Bread: You Know What Goes In It…
Reading food labels is not one of my favourite occupations, but is a necessary evil as I bring up a coeliac child.
I’m shocked at the long list of ingredients every time I pick up an item from the supermarket.
So in a new blog series I am going to be asking ‘What On Earth Is…’ about many of the ingredients I see and don’t understand.
As many of you know, I try to bake all of my own gluten-free goods.
With a busy life and little time this isn’t always possible.
So what exactly are those odd sounding ingredients that I’m feeding my family?
What is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose?
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a white, odourless, tasteless powder made chemically through the modification of cellulose.
Cellulose is a natural polymer – long chains or structures made up of many, many molecules strung together.
What is it used for?
It is used as a vegan alternative to gelatine in medicines and supplements; as a treatment for dry eye syndrome and as a gluten replacement in gluten-free bread.
In gluten-free bread it improves the elasticity, stability, volume and moisture retention.
This makes a loaf more akin to gluten containing bread (source: Study on effects of HPMC and CMC on the properties of gluten-free bread).
Is it safe to eat?
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose cannot be digested by humans and passes through the digestive system.
In the UK it was submitted by Dow (who manufacture HPMC for the global food market) for approval to the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes in November 2011.
It is now an EU and FDA-approved food additive and is considered non-toxic to humans.
It sounds great right?
And for gluten-free food manufacturers it must be a god send.
Softer bread, less holes, good colour, greater volume. Everything you want in bread!
However, a number of people have contacted me to say they cannot eat food that contains it.
I have also found a number of forums online where people have made the connection between bloating, wind and discomfort, to eating foods (or supplements) that contain it.
If you are on a gluten-free diet but still experiencing tummy discomfort then it might be worth checking whether this is in the food you are eating.
You might also like to join my gluten free diet course where I help explore ingredients that may be causing ongoing symptoms.
What else can hydroxypropyl methylcellulose be called?
One particular manufacture (naming no names, but one of the big ones) lists it as E464 without the full name…it’s the same thing.
I haven’t found a single loaf of bread, roll or sandwich thin that doesn’t now contain this additive.
What’s the alternative?
For me, the answer is to bake as much as I can and to buy baked goods occasionally as treats.
If I can’t bake bread then ‘Roo’ tends to have corn cakes for her lunch rather than bought bread.
The ingredients are simple so I know what she’s getting.
If I’ve inspired you to have a go at baking your own bread then check out one of my popular recipes here.
You’ll find my Facebook Live video of how to bake a gluten free (vegan) garlic and herb tear and share bread here.
You’ll also find a few other videos on Facebook of me showing you how to make my various bread recipes.
Finally, if you want to bake wholesome bread then use my flour blends.
They are made from 70% wholegrain flours and provide you with a source of protein and fibre.
You can buy them here.
And I’d love to hear from you if you think you have trouble with HPMC or if there are any particular ingredients that you’d like me to look into next.
If you enjoyed this article, I’ve written about psyllium husk, mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, lecithin and xanthan gum too.
And if you have trouble with gluten free baking then you need to read my article what is a gluten free flour blend?
It explains what they are and why they are critical to your baking.
Save this article on Pinterest now…
Alison says
Hi Vicky, I ate a vegan sausage recently and a few hours later my stomach experienced unpleasant spasms then which carried on thru the night. The next morning it’s fair to say my bowels had a very unexpected swift clear out! I looked at the ingredients and noticed methylcellulose. I’ve been reading about it and will now actively avoid foods using it.
Brice says
I’m so glad I found this article. I already knew that I cannot tolerate flax, chia, psyllium, or anything that has that “gummy” texture, but I also recently discovered that hypromellose seems to do the same thing. But for some reason, cellulose, does not seem to bother me. Does that even make sense?
Vicki Montague says
If that’s your experience then it’s entirely valid!
Kit says
Urgghh, I can’t stand the stuff. Gluten always brought on IBS and dreadful wind and farts. I went GF many, many years ago. Then GF products stated to appear in shops, now you can get so much choice of GF bread, so obviously I was happy thinking I can get my bread fix. Then my symptoms starting coming back. It took me a long time to realise it was HPMC. Now they have started putting it in ‘gluten free’ supplements. I have now worked out it takes 24hrs to go through my system and I fart like a trooper! Joking aside, it’s painful, uncomfortable and embarrassing. When I stop ingesting the stuff I suddenly realise how bad I have been for so many years, and now I can pinpoint exactly when the culprit was. This stuff should be banned. It literally effects me the same way as gluten does.
Vicki Montague says
That is so interesting. Thank you for sharing. I’m sure many others are affected in the same way as you.
Ari says
I’m starting to wonder if too much HPMC is to blame for my frothy/bubby urine output every time I pee. I take a ton of supplements, so perhaps this is the cause. Apparently, propylene oxide is involved in the manufacture of Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and I coincidentally (?) have high propylene oxide levels. 🙁
Anyone else see a bubblebath when they pee?
Stacie says
Hello, I am gluten and dairy free. I am frustrated with trying to find a probiotic with natural ingredients in the capsule. Do you have any suggestions? I used to work for Dow Chemical in my early years and would not want anything with their name on it ever!!
Thank you. Stacie
Vicki Montague says
Hi Stacie, are you wedded to the idea of a probiotic capsule? There are lots of probiotics that are just powdered that you sprinkle on food or are liquid? I would take a look for something like that. Here in the UK we have Symprove (liquid) and ones by various manufacturers that are powders without the capsule…
Linda Willis says
Hi
Since the menopause I started taking a number of supplements to improve my skin…basically make it more supple and less dry. I developed a horrible rash that I couldn’t get rid of and took anti histamines to try to help the itching. I’ve had food tests and cosmetic/household chemical allergy tests with no ingredients arising as allergens. My dermatologist did a biopsy for me and said it’s an allergy from within and suggested I cut out supplements. After studying all the ingredients, many list HPMC…including the anti-histamine. I’m just starting on my mission to see if HPMC is the allergen but it seems very possible after reading all the input here. Thank you everyone x
Vicki Montague says
Gosh how interesting. Do keep us posted. This stuff seems to find its way into everything these days!
Brittany Scott says
Hello!
This a a slightly odd question and less about baking and more about this additive.
I just took a medication that uses both microcrystalline cellulose and hydroxypropyl cellulose.
Most unfortunately it did not go all the way down and lodged in my throat (quite embarrassing) but I finally did get it down. But since then I have had horrible heartburn and a pain in my chest and feeling like I can’t swallow.
I have a condition called EOE (Eosinophilic esophagitis) so this very uncomfortable situation is not unknown to me.
Since EOE is basically an allergy, it is fairly common that I have slight issues with some oral capsules and pill that are made with soy, but most of the time I can get any medication down before it starts causing problems. So to finally get to the point, I have looked through a number of websites now and all I can find is that it is ‘made from cellulose’, I just want to know which plant it is derived from. I can still feel the spot in my throat where the pill was lodged, it is burning and I can feel it radiating to my back. I feel it would be a good idea to know as much about this substance as possible! Any help would be appreciated!
Vicki Montague says
Hi Brittany I suggest you contact the manufacturer of the pills. I hope you find your answer. Much love, Vicki
james hua says
thanks for your share
Jim McNeely says
I’ve been using methylcellulose in my home cooking for some time. I’ve had no ill effects at all, and it is a pretty magical additive. It’s also vegan. I really don’t see the problem. No one who has eaten any of my stuff where I use it has ever complained of any problems or said anything other than saying that the texture and mouthfeel of the food was amazing – what’s my secret? So I don’t really understand the backlash. Just because there is a procedure to producing it doesn’t mean it is bad.
Brenda says
My husband is coeliac and I regularly use Juvela White Mix. He is fine with it. I use it for sponge cakes, yorkshire puddings, fish batter in the main. I am fine with this (I am not coeliac), but if I eat any sponge I have made with Juvela mix as a sweet, after dinner I wake up about 4 hours later after going to bed with chronic indigestion and am frequently sick.
I used to take supplements for arthritis – glucasamin tablets, cod liver oil tablets, and a multivitamin with breakfast. I regularly had diarrhoea afterwards. When on holiday I didn’t take these and the diarrhoea stopped. Having read your article I am more and more of the opinion that the Hydroxy-methylcellulose in Juvela, and possibly the tablets was causing these effects.
I do use Hypermellose eye drops (prescribed by my doctor) with no adverse effects
I would be interested in your or anybody else’s comments on this.
Vicki Montague says
Hi Brenda, how interesting! It sounds like your gut might be sensitive to HPMC. I’m afraid I don’t know enough about the subject to help but suspect the eye drops are processed by your body in a different way from when you consume HPMC. My general rule is that I avoid foods that contain ingredients that I can’t pronounce or that aren’t natural. My preference is to use products that are natural, hence why I created my own flour blend that only contains gluten free flours with a high quantity of wholegrain’s.
Kristy says
Hi,
I’m not a person who suffers from coeliacs. I recently discovered my chronic fatigue symptoms I’ve been having for years was due to a medication (Effexor XR) I’ve been taking that contained HPMC. I’ve switched to a generic brand of the drug that does not contain HPMC and starting noticing my fatigue symptoms went away. Its amazing how one ingredient can have such a dramatic impact on peoples health.
Vicki Montague says
Wow that is so awful. Thank you so much for letting me know. I’m glad to hear you’re better. How amazing.
Liz Pearce says
Mmmm…..just wondering if it is this which gives me a headache every time I have a slice of commercial gf bread lately. Must get organised & bake my own gf bread again.
Vicki Montague says
Oh dear. Poor you. Try out my recipes..they are very easy and have been tried and tested many times 🙂
Joan Farmer says
Thank you, Vicki!
Joan Farmer says
My functional medicine doctor has prescribed some supplements that use HPMC capsules. I tested sensitive to cow/bovine so I try to avoid gelatin supplements. It would seem HPMC is not really safe to consume. Can I open the HPMC capsules and put the contents into a liquid so I can still take those supplements? This article is not current so is there another alternative?
Vicki Montague says
Hi Joan, if you are worried I would speak to the doctor who prescribed the capsules for you and ask if you can take them in liquid. I’m afraid I can’t advise you on what to do. I am simply sharing what I’ve discovered in the article.
Catherine says
Wow, thanks for this article. I am on a gf diet and I try to stay away from gf shop-bought baked goods as they make me feels terrible. I had a few busy days painting and resorted to gf bread with HPMC in it for breakfast, then some potato waffles for lunch. By evening my tummy was so bloated, sore, windy and I was queasy. I had a horrible Friday night going to bed early and waking with tender tummy. The potato waffles are going in the bin and I’m never buying gf bread again. Thank you for your information
Vicki Montague says
You are very welcome Catherine. I hope you feel better now and I’m glad you found the source of your bloating.
Joanne Khossa says
My son has had horrendous eczema and allergic reactions and was hospitalised with it. Doing an elimination diet I found it went away when I took wheat out of his diet, tried him on gluten free replacements and he had the same reactions?? So after he was given a potatoes waffle with the only ingredients; potato, salt and this additive hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose I realise that it was this additive all along. My 1 year old had a swollen mouth, swollen eyes, swollen neck, gives, diarrhoea and infected oozing eczema for almost a year on and off because of it
Vicki Montague says
That is horrific. Your poor little boy (and you). You are an amazing mum to have determined what it was…it takes huge amounts of determination and perseverance to discover what ingredients are causing problems. You’re incredible. He’s a lucky little lad to have you as his mum. Do you mind if I share your comment on my FB page to make people aware of what these ingredients can do?
Clare says
Thanks for the information. One way to ensure no additives or nasties in your food (including pesticides) is to go organic as they are not allowed to use them. No idea if there is a place that does organic gluten free bread? Might be worth a look though
Vicki Montague says
Yes I agree!
Rachel says
I had no idea, I bought these capsules and saw it said HPMC was an ingredient and I’ve already ingested some! I will throw them away, I thought they were natural but noticed they did taste a bit funny, like fishy, now I know why.
Tara says
Nice one Vicki.
Our bread doesn’t contain HPMC do not all bread gluten free bread use HPMC. Most commercial ones do
Vicki Montague says
Hi Tara, yes all commercial ones do but it’s good to know there are little people like us doing things differently!
Glutarama says
Fascinating read Vicki, can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Kate - gluten free alchemist says
Love the idea of an ingredients series Vicki. The less additives the better….. whether GF or not! x
westyson says
There’s no HPMC in Rana’s Artisan Bakery bread
Vicki Montague says
Odd isn’t it?!
Neal says
It certainly is,
It makes me laugh some times watch these programmes like Victorian baker’s when they were doing things like adding chalk to bread flour when they were baking.
When the same kind of practice is going on today with the exception that it’s all legal and above board because they get whatever they are doing approved.
There are So many fun chemicals in our goods. Many are petroleum based
Others like this are from a more natural. But still very questionable source .
I don’t look at my mum’s may tree in the garden and think “hmm I’ll have a few twigs off that to go with my dinner”
Vicki Montague says
You made me laugh!
Neal says
Haha glad to ?. It’s certainly very true though.
Tom says
Others like this are from a more natural…..youre kidding right? this is a highly processed synthetic material and the chemical process they use are toxic. This material is a known gastrointestinal disruptor.
Neal says
Very good piece Vicki,
I have been trying to avoid this for years where I can.
As it is basically wood / paper pulp.
used in tiling grout and fillers to retain water.
Plus many other colourful DIY uses.
Another thing, I’ve just thought of this.
Even though it’s a chemical process and there shouldn’t be anything left other than what they are trying to produce. But mistakes do happen.
Who is to say a manufacturer of the chemical
wouldn’t use recycled papers / card stock as pulp. Especially if they were unscrupulously cutting corners.
That would be one hell of a minefield with contaminants, not just with potential food allergens in the pulp.
But all sorts of even more nasty chemicals in there??