Last night I couldn’t sleep. I was fuming.

Why? Because I’d just learned something about Calpol that really unsettled me.

Like most parents, I’ve always seen that pink bottle as a safe, go-to option when my children were under the weather. It’s one of those brands we trust without question — the cheerful packaging, the sweet strawberry flavour, the comforting idea that it helps little ones feel better.

But then I started looking more closely at the ingredients. And what I found honestly shocked me.

What’s actually in Calpol?

I thought I knew Calpol inside out. I’ve used it for years and always bought the “sugar-free” version thinking it was the better, healthier choice.

But as I read through the fine print one evening, curiosity got the better of me. I noticed the long list of E numbers and decided to find out what each one meant.

It turns out that some of those E numbers are actually parabens — synthetic preservatives that are used to prolong shelf life.

Now, parabens are found in lots of everyday products — from shampoos and skincare to medicines — but they’ve also become controversial because many people prefer to avoid them. Some manufacturers have already taken them out of cosmetics and toiletries altogether, so it surprised me to see them still listed in something designed for children.

I’ve been refusing to use anything knowingly that contains parabens for around 5-6 years. I’ve touched on the subject of parabens and questionable ingredients in this blog post:

• Why SLS is bad for you so I'm giving up Soap and Glory

Why it bothered me

The more I thought about it, the more frustrated I felt.

Firstly, because Calpol is a trusted children’s brand that’s been around for decades. You assume something made for babies and toddlers would contain the gentlest ingredients possible.

Secondly, because the ingredients weren’t clearly labelled. Instead of spelling out “paraben” by name, they were hidden behind E numbers that most parents wouldn’t recognise. I’d been so careful about buying paraben-free shampoos and creams for my kids — yet I’d unknowingly been giving them parabens by mouth.

It felt like a betrayal of that trust. Not because I think Calpol is unsafe — it’s approved, widely used, and recommended by doctors — but because as parents we deserve clarity. We should be able to easily see what we’re giving our children, not have to decode it ourselves.

Why transparency matters

It’s not about fear-mongering or blaming the brand. It’s about honesty and choice.

If companies know some parents prefer to avoid certain ingredients, the least they could do is label them clearly so we can make our own decisions.

We pay extra for trusted names like Calpol because we believe we’re getting the best quality and the safest formulation. That’s why learning about these hidden preservatives felt disappointing.

Even if parabens are permitted and considered safe at low levels, the point is we should know they’re there.

The problem with limited options

What also struck me is that there isn’t much choice.

Try to find a children’s paracetamol suspension without artificial sweeteners, colours, or preservatives, and you’ll quickly hit a wall. Most supermarket versions contain the same ingredients.

It feels like parents are left with little alternative. You either buy what’s available or risk being judged for not giving your child something when they’re poorly.

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a genuinely paraben-free children’s pain relief option? Something simple, transparent, and made with minimal additives — just the essential ingredients and nothing unnecessary.

That’s an idea waiting to happen.

What parents can do

If you’re as curious as I was, here are a few things you can do:

• Read ingredient labels carefully. Look up any E numbers you don’t recognise — you might be surprised what they represent.

• Ask your pharmacist. They can explain what each ingredient does and may know of alternatives if you prefer additive-free options.

• Keep perspective. Parabens are approved preservatives, and small doses in medicine are regulated — but you still have the right to know and choose what you use. And some of us want to avoid them, just in case.

This experience taught me that being an informed parent doesn’t mean panicking; it means being curious and asking questions.

What I’d like to see change

More than anything, I’d love to see clearer labelling on children’s medicines.

If parabens or other preservatives are present, they should be written in plain English, not hidden behind unfamiliar codes. Transparency builds trust. Parents shouldn’t have to research ingredients at midnight just to find out what’s inside a bottle.

Until then, I’ll keep reading labels, double-checking ingredients, and learning what those mysterious E numbers mean. Because once you’ve seen what’s hidden behind them, it’s hard to unsee.

Final thoughts

This isn’t about blaming Calpol. It’s about awareness, honesty, and the choices we make as parents.

I still believe medicines like Calpol have their place, but I also believe we deserve clear information about what’s in them. We shouldn’t need a science degree to understand an ingredients list.

If you’ve ever assumed your child’s medicine was “cleaner” than it really is, you’re not alone. I did too — until I took a closer look.

And that’s what this is really about: taking a moment to question, to learn, and to choose more consciously next time.

So what are the alternatives to Calpol?

After some research, I found an alternative that’s paraben-free — Parapaed Junior Oral Suspension. It works in the same way to relieve pain and reduce fever, but without the parabens.

I now buy Parapaed online from Savers, and I also get a TopCashback discount each time, which is a nice bonus.

If you’re not already a TopCashback member, you can join through my referral link: https://www.topcashback.co.uk/ref/victoriasully

Here's an article that looks at more alternatives:

• What are the alternatives?