| The capital ‘E’ in front of the number means that additive has been passed for food use throughout the European Community. As a general rule, E numbers from E100 -199 are colourings, E200 – 299 are preservatives, E300 – 399 are acids, antioxidants and mineral salts, E400 – 599 are vegetable gums, emulsifiers, stabilisers and anti-caking agents, E600 and above are flavour enhancers, E900 – 1500 are miscellaneous. An E number does not always mean ‘artificial’ – for example, of the 46 permitted food colours, 21 are “natural” – that is they occur in nature and are extracted from vegetable and animal sources. Of course, the other 25 are “not natural”. Many additives just replace a more expensive ingredient with a cheaper one. Not all E Numbers are bad for you! Sometimes an E Number is used as a descrption for a perfectly acceptable common and widely used ingredient. DISLAIMER: We have done our best in providing you with the following information. But we will not be held responsible for any errors or out of date information provided below. Customers should not absolutely rely upon the accuracy of the contents, but rather always confirm their understanding of what is stated.To our best knowledge, the following will offer a good basic guide to E Numbers and Additives. |
| E-Number-Name-Category-Comments E100 Curcumin, turmeric Colouring Orange-yellow colour, derived from turmeric E101 Riboflavin -Vitamin B2 Yellow colour A vitamin. Formerly lactoflavin E102 Tartrazine Colouring Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible. Orange/yellow. Banned in Austria & Norway E103 Chrysoine Resorcinol Colouring E104 Quinoline Yellow Greenish yellow colouring Potential allergic reaction. Banned in Australia, Norway & USA E107 Yellow 2G Yellow colour Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible. Banned in Australia & USA E110 Sunset Yellow FCF Yellow colour Potential strong allergic reaction. Avoid if possible. Banned in Norway E120 Cochineal, Carminic acid Red colour Obtained from egg yolk and dried insects. Avoid if possible E122 Carmoisine Red colour Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible. Banned in Austria, Norway, Sweden & USA E123 Amaranth Purplish-red colour Avoid if possible. Banned in many, many countries E124 Brilliant Scarlet 4R, Ponceau 4R Red colour Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E127 Erythrosine Red colour Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E128 Red 2G Red colour Potential allergic reaction. Banned in many countries E129 Allura Red AC Red colour Potential skin allergic reaction. Best avoided. Banned in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden & Switzerland E131 Patent Blue V Blue colour Potential allergic reaction. Banned in Australia E132 Indigo Carmine Blue colour Potential strong allergic reaction. Avoid if possible. Banned in Norway E133 Brilliant Blue FCF Blue colour Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible. Banned in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden & Switzerland E140 Chlorophyll Green to olive colour At last! A naturally occurring green pigment found in leaves and stems of plants. E141 Copper complex of Chlorophyll Olive colour E142 Greens S Green colour Banned in Norway, Sweden & USA E150(A-D) Caramels Brown colour Commonly used colour and flavouring agent E151 Brilliant Black BN Black colour Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible. Banned in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland & USA E153 Carbon black, Vegetable carbon Black colour Natural colour from burnt plant material, or manufactured. Banned in USA E154 Brown FK Brown colour Potential allergic reaction. Banned in Australia & USA E155 Chocolate brown HT Brown colour Avoid if possible. Banned in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland & USA E160(A) Alpha-, Beta-, Gamma-Carotene Yellow to red From carrots, tomatoes, apricots, oranges, and green veg. Now likely manufactured. E160(B) Annatto, bixin, norbixin Orange colour E160(C) Paprika extract; Capsanthin Colouring agent Banned in several countries E160(D) Lycopene Colouring agent Banned in Australia E160(E) Beta-apo-8′-carotenal Orange colour No adverse effects recorded E160(F) Ethyl ester of beta-apo-8′-carotenic acid Orange colour No adverse effects recorded E161 Xanthophylls Yellow to red No adverse effects recorded E161(G) Canthaxanthin Orange colour No adverse effects recorded E162 Betanin (Beetroot Red) Red/purple colour Another natural colour. No adverse effects recorded E163 Anthocyanins Violet colour Plant pigments naturally present E170 Calcium carbonate, Chalk Colouring Naturally occurring mineral E171 Titanium dioxide White colour E172 Iron oxides and hydroxides Colouring Naturally occurring minerals E173 Aluminium Colouring agent Banned in some countries E174 Silver Colouring Banned in some countries E175 Gold Colouring Banned in some countries E180 Pigment Rubine, Lithol Rubine Colouring Banned in some countries E181 Tannin, Tannic acid Colouring E200 Sorbic acid Preservative Potential skin irritant E201 Sodium sorbate Preservative E202 Potassium sorbate Preservative E203 Calcium sorbate Preservative E210 Benzoic Acid Preservative and anti-oxidant Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible. E211 Sodium Benzoate Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible. E212 Potassium benzoate Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible. E213 Calcium benzoate Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible. E214 Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Banned in some countries E215 Sodium ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Banned in some countries E216 Propyl p-hydroxybenzoate Preservative Potential allergic reaction by contact E217 Sodium propyl p-hydroxybenzoate Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Banned in some countries E218 Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate Preservative Potential allergic reaction by contact (skin) E219 Sodium methyl p-hydroxybenzoate Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Banned in some countries E220 Sulphur Dioxide Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E221 Sodium sulphite Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E222 Sodium Bisulphite Preservative and bleaching Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E223 Sodium metabisulphite Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E224 Potassium metabisulphite Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E225 Potassium sulphite Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E226 Calcium sulphite Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Banned in some countries E227 Calcium hydrogen sulphite Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Banned in some countries E228 Potassium hydrogen sulphite Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E230 Biphenyl, diphenyl Preservative Banned in Australia and some other countries E231 Orthophenyl phenol Preservative Banned in Australia E232 Sodium orthophenyl phenol Preservative Banned in some countries E233 Thiabendazole Preservative Banned in Australia and some other countries E234 Nisin Preservative E235 Natamycin Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E236 Formic acid Preservative Banned in some countries E237 Sodium formate Preservative Banned in some countries E238 Calcium formate Preservative Banned in some countries E239 Hexamethylene tetramine, Hexamine Preservative Banned in some countries E240 Formaldehyde Preservative E242 Dimethyl dicarbonate Preservative E249 Potassium nitrite Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Avoid for children E250 Sodium nitrite Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Avoid for children E251 Sodium nitrate, saltpetre Preservative E252 Potassium Nitrate Preservative Potential allergic reaction. Avoid for children E260 Acetic acid Acidity regulator No adverse effects recorded E261 Potassium acetate Acidity regulator E262 Sodium acetate Acidity regulator No adverse effects recorded E264 Ammonium acetate Acidity regulator Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E270 Lactic acid Acidity regulator, Antioxidant Avoid for children E280 Propionic acid Preservative E281 Sodium propionate Preservative E282 Calcium propionate Preservative E283 Potassium propionate Preservative E284 Boric acid Preservative E285 Sodium tetraborate; borax Preservative E290 Carbon dioxide Acidity regulator Adds the fizz to fizzy drinks. Also coolant, propellant E296 Malic acid Acidity regulator Avoid for very young children E297 Fumaric Acid Acidity regulator No adverse effects recorded E300 Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) Antioxidant E301 Sodium ascorbate Antioxidant E302 Calcium ascorbate Antioxidant E303 Potassium ascorbate Antioxidant E304 Ascorbyl palmitate Antioxidant E306-9 Tocopherols (Vitamin E) Antioxidants E310 Propyl gallate Antioxidant Potential allergic reaction. Avoid for children E311 Octyl Gallate Antioxidant Potential allergic reaction. Avoid for children E312 Dodecyl gallate Antioxidant Potential allergic reaction. Avoid for children E317 Erythorbic acid Antioxidant No adverse effects recorded E318 Sodium erythorbin Antioxidant No adverse effects recorded E319 Butylhydroxinon Antioxidant Potential adverse effects. Avoid if possible E320 Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA) Antioxidant Potential allergic reaction. Avoid for children E321 Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) Antioxidant Potential allergic reaction. Avoid for children E322 Lecithin Emulsifier Egg yolk is source. Most from soya beans, therefore likely GM E325 Sodium lactate Antioxidant Avoid for children with lactose intolerance E326 Potassium lactate Acid regulator Avoid for children with lactose intolerance E327 Calcium lactate Acid regulator Avoid for children with lactose intolerance E328 Ammonium lactate Acid regulator, Antioxidant Avoid for children with lactose intolerance E329 Magnesium lactate Acid regulator, Antioxidant Avoid for children with lactose intolerance E330 Citric acid Antioxidant Yikes! Another real one. Occurs naturally in citrus fruit E331 Sodium citrates Antioxidant Salt of Citric. No adverse effects recorded E332 Potassium citrates Antioxidant Salt of Citric. No adverse effects recorded E333 Calcium Citrate Antioxidant Salt of Citric. No adverse effects recorded E334 Tartaric Acid Antioxidant No adverse effects recorded in small quantities E335 Sodium L-Tartrate Antioxidant No adverse effects recorded E336 Potassium L-Tartrate (Cream of Tartar) Antioxidant No adverse effects recorded E337 Sodium potassium tartrate Antioxidant No adverse effects recorded E338 Phosphoric acid Antioxidant No adverse effects recorded E339 Sodium phosphates Antioxidant No adverse effects if used cautiously E340 Potassium phosphates Antioxidant No adverse effects if used cautiously E341 Calcium Orthophosphates Anti-caking, firming agent No adverse effects recorded E343 Magnesium phosphates Anti-caking agent No adverse effects recorded E350 Sodium malates Acid regulator No adverse effects recorded E351 Potassium malate Acid regulator No adverse effects recorded E352 Calcium malates Acid regulator No adverse effects recorded E353 Metatartaric acid Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E354 Calcium tartrate Emulsifier E355 Adipic acid Acid regulator No adverse effects recorded E357 Potassium adipate Acid regulator No adverse effects recorded E363 Succinic acid Acid regulator Banned in Australia and some other countries E365 Sodium fumarate Acid regulator No adverse effects recorded E366 Potassium fumarate Acid regulator No adverse effects recorded E367 Calcium fumarate Acid regulator No adverse effects recorded E370 I,4-Heptonolactone Acid regulator Banned in Australia and some other countries E375 Nicotinic acid, Niacin Colour Retention Vitamin B3 E380 Triammonium citrate Acid regulator No adverse effects if used cautiously E381 Ammonium ferric citrate Acid regulator E385 Calcium disodium (EDTA) Acid regulator Banned in Australia and some other countries E400 Alginic acid Thickener, stabiliser, gelling agent, emulsifier No adverse effects recorded in small quantities E401 Sodium alginate As 400 No adverse effects recorded in small quantities E402 Potassium alginate As 400 No adverse effects recorded in small quantities E403 Ammonium alginate As 400 No adverse effects recorded in small quantities E404 Calcium alginate As 400 No adverse effects recorded in small quantities E405 Propylene glycol alginate As 400 No adverse effects recorded in small quantities E406 Agar As 400 A seaweed gum. Not digested, acts as source of dietary fibre. No adverse effects recorded in small quantities E407 Carrageenan (Irish Moss) Stabiliser, gelling agent, emulsifier Potential allergic reaction. Avoid for children E410 Locust bean gum (Carob seed gum) Stabiliser, gelling agent, emulsifier No adverse effects recorded in small quantities E412 Guar gum Thickener, stabiliser E413 Tragacanth Thickener, stabiliser Potential contact allergy reaction. Avoid if possible E414 Acacia (Gum arabic) Thickener, stabiliser Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E415 Xanthan gum Emulsifier, stabiliser and thickener No adverse effects recorded E416 Karaya gum Stabiliser, thickener and emulsifier Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible. E417 Tara gum Thickener, stabiliser, gelling agent, emulsifier E418 Gellan gum Thickener, stabiliser, gelling agent, emulsifier E420 Sorbitol Sweetener, humectant -moisten Widely used in diabetic foods. Can cause gastric disturbances. E421 Mannitol Anti-caking agent, sweetener Potential dietary allergen. Avoid if possible E422 Glycerine, Glycerol Emulsifier, sweetener Potential dietary allergen. Some low calorie foods E432 Polysorbate 20 Emulsifier Banned in Australia and some other countries E433 Polysorbate 80 Emulsifier E434 Polysorbate 40 Emulsifier Banned in Australia and some other countries E435 Polysorbate 60 Emulsifier E436 Polysorbate 65 Emulsifier E440(A) Pectin Emulsifier, gelling agent Minimal adverse effects recorded E440(B) Amidated Pectin Emulsifier, gelling agent No adverse effects recorded E441 Gelatine Emulsifier, gelling agent Potential allergic reaction. Asthmatics avoid whenever possible E442 Ammonium phosphatides Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E444 Sucrose acetate isobutyrate Emulsifier E445 Glycerol esters of wood rosins Emulsifier E450-2 Sodium and Potassium PolyPhosphate salts Emulsifier High levels can upset the mineral balance E460 Powdered cellulose Emulsifier Fibrous part of plant cell walls. No adverse effects recorded E461 Methyl cellulose Emulsifier Potential gastric disturbances. Some low calorie foods E463 Hydroxypropyl cellulose Emulsifier Banned in Australia and some other countries E464 Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E465 Ethylmethyl cellulose Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E466 Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E469 carboxy methyl cellulose Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E470 Sodium, Potassium and Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids Emulsifier Banned in Australia and some other countries E471 Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E472(A-F) esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids Emulsifiers No adverse effects recorded E473 Sucrose esters of fatty acids Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E474 Sucroglycerides Emulsifier Banned in Australia and some other countries E475 Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E476 Polyglycerol polyricinoleate Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E477 propylene glycol esters of fatty acids Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E479B Thermally oxidized soya bean oil Emulsifier Likely to be G.M. crop E481 Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E482 Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E483 Stearyl tartrate Emulsifier Banned in some countries E491 Sorbitan mono-stearate Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E492 Sorbitan tri-stearate Emulsifier No adverse effects recorded E493 Sorbitan mono-laurate Emulsifier Banned in some countries E494 Sorbitan mono-oleate Emulsifier Banned in Australia and some other countries E495 Sorbitan mono-palmitate Emulsifier Banned in Australia and some other countries E500 Sodium carbonates (Bicarbonate of soda) Acidity regulator, Raising agent No adverse effects recorded in small quantities E501 Potassium carbonates Acidity regulator No adverse effects recorded E503 Ammonium carbonates Acidity regulator May irritate mucus membranes E504 Magnesium carbonates Acidity regulator, Anti-caking agent No adverse effects recorded. Often found in antacids and laxatives. E507 Hydrochloric acid Acid No adverse effects noted in small quantities E508 Potassium chloride Gelling agent Found in low sodium & salt products. E509 Calcium chloride Firming Agent No adverse effects recorded E510 Ammonium chloride Acidity regulator, Improving agent Best avoided by people with liver or kidney problems E511 Magnesium chloride Firming Agent One of the essential minerals E513 Sulphuric acid Acid Banned in some countries E514 Sodium sulphates Acidity regulator Can upset the body’s water balance E515 Potassium sulphates Seasoning No adverse effects recorded E516 Calcium sulphate Sequestrant, Improving agent No adverse effects recorded E517 Ammonium sulphate Improving agent E518 Magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts) Acidity regulator A laxative. No adverse effects recorded in small quantities E519 Copper sulphate Preservative One of the essential minerals E520 Aluminium sulphate Firming Agent E521 Aluminium sodium sulphate Firming Agent E522 Aluminium potassium sulphate Acidity regulator E524 Sodium hydroxide Acidity regulator Banned in some countries E525 Potassium hydroxide Acidity regulator Banned in some countries E526 Calcium hydroxide Acidity regulator No adverse effects recorded in small quantities E527 Ammonium hydroxide Acidity regulator Banned in some countries E528 Magnesium hydroxide Acidity regulator Banned in some countries E529 Calcium oxide Acidity regulator No adverse effects recorded E530 Magnesium oxide Anti-caking agent Banned in some countries E535 Sodium ferrocyanide Anti-caking agent No adverse effects recorded E536 Potassium ferrocyanide Anti-caking agent E540 Di-calcium di-phosphate Acidity regulator Banned in Australia and some other countries E541 Sodium aluminium phosphate Emulsifier, Raising agent Banned in Australia and some other countries E542 Bone phosphate Anti-caking agent Animal origin. No adverse effects recorded E544 Calcium polyphosphate Emulsifier Banned in Australia and some other countries E545 Ammonium polyphosphate Emulsifier Banned in Australia and some other countries E551 Silicon dioxide (Silica) Anti-caking agent Derived from sand. No adverse effects recorded in food use E552 Calcium silicate Anti-caking agent Antacid. No adverse effects recorded E553(A) Magnesium silicates Anti-caking agent Banned in Australia E553(B) Talc Anti-caking agent Potential adverse reaction. Avoid if possible. E554 Sodium aluminium silicate Anti-caking agent E556 Calcium aluminium silicate Anti-caking agent E558 Bentonite Anti-caking agent No adverse effects recorded E559 Aluminium silicate (Kaolin) Anti-caking agent No adverse effects recorded E570 Stearic acid (Fatty acid) Anti-caking agent No adverse effects recorded E572 Magnesium stearate Anti-caking agent No adverse effects recorded E575 Glucono Delta-lactone Anti-caking agent, Sequestrant No adverse effects recorded E576 Sodium gluconate Sequestrant Banned in Australia E577 Potassium gluconate Sequestrant No adverse effects recorded E578 Calcium gluconate Firming Agent No adverse effects recorded E579 Ferrous gluconate Colouring No adverse effects recorded E585 Ferrous lactate Colouring No adverse effects recorded |
| E-Number-Name-Category-Comments 2E620 L-Glutamic acid Flavour enhancer Potential allergic reaction. Avoid for children E621 Monosodium glutamate Flavour enhancer Potential allergic reaction. Avoid for children E622 Monopotassium glutamate Flavour enhancer Potential allergic reaction. Avoid wherever possible E623 Calcium glutamate Flavour enhancer Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E624 Mono ammonium glutamate Flavour enhancer Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E625 Magnesium di glutamate Flavour enhancer Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E627 Disodium guanylate Flavour enhancer Avoid for children E631 Disodium inosinate Flavour enhancer Avoid for children E635 Disodium 5′-ribonucleotides Flavour enhancer Banned in some countries E636 Maltol Flavour enhancer E637 Ethyl maltol Flavour enhancer E640 Glycine and its sodium salt Flavour enhancer E650 Zinc acetate Flavour enhancer E900 Dimethyl polysiloxane Anti-foaming agent No adverse effects recorded E901 Beeswax, white and yellow Glazing agent Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E903 Carnauba wax Glazing agent Potential allergic reaction. Avoid if possible E904 Shellac Glazing agent Potential allergic contact reaction. Avoid if possible E905 Microcrystalline wax (Paraffins) Glazing agent Potential for gastric disturbances. E907 Crystalline wax Glazing agent Banned in some countries E920 L-cysteine hydrochlorides Improving agent No adverse effects recorded E924 Potassium bromate Improving agent Potential dietary allergen. Avoid if possible E925 Chlorine Preservative, Bleach Known carcinogen. Used in drinking water to ‘purify’ it E926 Chlorine dioxide Preservative, Bleach E927 Azodi carbonamide Improving agent Banned in Australia E928 Benzole peroxide Improving agent Potential allergic reaction. Asthmatics avoid whenever possible E938 Argon Packaging gas E939 Helium Packaging gas E941 Nitrogen Packaging gas E942 Nitrogen oxide Propellant E943A Butane Propellant E944 Propane Propellant E948 Oxygen Packaging gas E949 Hydrogen E950 Acesulphane potassium Sweetener E951 Aspartame Sweetener Potential allergic reaction. Avoid wherever possible E952 Cyclamic acid Sweetener Possible carcinogen. Banned in the USA and UK E954 Saccharins Sweetener E957 Thaumatin Sweetener E965 Maltitol, Hydrogenated glucose syrup Sweetener, Humectant E967 Xylitol Sweetener E999 Quillaia extract Foaming Agent E1100 Amylase Stabiliser E1103 Invertase Stabiliser E1200 Polydextrose Stabiliser E1201 Polyvinyl pyrrolidone Stabiliser No adverse effects recorded. Used as tablet coating E1202 Polyvinyl polypyrrolidone Stabiliser No adverse effects recorded E1400-51 Starches Stabiliser, Thickening agent No adverse effects recorded E1505 Triethyl citrate Foam Stabiliser E1510 Ethanol Alcohol E1518 Glycerol triacetate Humectant E1520 Propylene glycol Humectant |
