E-numbers
An E-number is the code for a food additive authorised in the European Union. The same codes are used on labels in the UK.
E100–E199 · Colours
34- CurcuminE100A yellow colouring from the turmeric plant.Mostly no concerns
- RiboflavinE101A vitamin found in food, also called vitamin B2.No concerns
- TartrazineE102A man-made lemon yellow colouring used in food.Conflicting
- Quinoline yellowE104Used in food as a colour.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Sunset yellow FCFE110Used in food as a colour.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- CochinealE120Used in food as a colour.Concerning in studies of people
- AzorubineE122A red colouring known as carmoisine.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Ponceau 4rE124A strawberry red colouring made in a lab.Not enough
- ErythrosineE127A cherry-pink colouring made in a lab.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Allura redE129Used in food as a colour.Concerning in studies of people
- IndigotineE132A blue colour made from indigo.Not enough
- Brilliant blue FCFE133A blue colouring used in food.Not enough
- Chlorophylls and ChlorophyllinsE140Used in food as a colour.Not enough
- Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllinsE141Used in food as a colour.Not enough
- Green sE142A green dye made from coal tar.Not enough
- Fast Green FCFE143A turquoise food dye.Not enough
- Plain caramelE150aA food colouring that dissolves in water.Not enough
- Sulphite ammonia caramelE150dUsed in food as a colour.Not enough
- CarotenoidsE160Yellow, orange, and red pigments made by plants and algae.No concerns
- CaroteneE160aUsed in food as a colour.Mostly no concerns
- AnnattoE160bAn orange-red colouring from achiote tree seeds.Mostly no concerns
- Paprika extractE160cUsed in food as a colour.Unclear
- LycopeneE160dUsed in food as a colour.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Beta-apo-8′-carotenal (c30)E160eUsed in food as a colour.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- LuteinE161bUsed in food as a colour.Mostly no concerns
- CanthaxanthinE161gUsed in food as a colour.Conflicting
- ZeaxanthinE161hUsed in food as a colour.No concerns
- AstaxanthinE161jA red colouring found in algae.No concerns
- Beetroot redE162A red colouring taken from beetroot.Not enough
- AnthocyaninsE163A colour found in plants like berries and black rice.No concerns
- SaffronE164A spice from the saffron crocus flower.No concerns
- Calcium carbonateE170iA chemical compound found in rocks, chalk, limestone, eggshells, shells and pearls.Mostly no concerns
- Titanium dioxideE171A white solid used as a food coloring.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Iron oxides and iron hydroxidesE172Used in food as a colour.Not enough
E200–E299 · Preservatives and acids
27- Sorbic acidE200A natural preservative from rowan berries.Concerning in studies of people
- Potassium sorbateE202A white salt made from sorbic acid.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Benzoic acidE210A white or colorless crystalline compound found naturally in many plants.Concerning in studies of people
- Sodium benzoateE211A white crystal made from benzoic acid.Concerning in studies of people
- Potassium benzoateE212A preservative made from benzoic acid.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Methyl p-hydroxybenzoateE218A preservative called methylparaben.Not enough
- Sulphur dioxideE220A colorless gas with a pungent smell.Concerning in studies of people
- Sodium sulphiteE221A white, water-soluble solid, a sodium salt of sulfurous acid.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Sodium bisulphiteE222Used in food as an antioxidant or preservative.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Sodium metabisulphiteE223An inorganic compound used as a disinfectant, antioxidant, and preservative agent.Concerning in studies of people
- Potassium metabisulphiteE224A white crystalline powder with a pungent sulfur odour.Not enough
- NisinE234A germ-killing substance made by a bacterium.Not enough
- NatamycinE235A preservative used in food.Not enough
- Dimethyl dicarbonateE242A liquid used in drinks.Not enough
- Sodium nitriteE250A synthetic salt made into a white powder.Conflicting
- Sodium nitrateE251A preservative used in cured meats and poultry.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Potassium nitrateE252A chemical compound, a potassium salt of nitric acid, also called saltpetre.Not enough
- Acetic acidE260A colourless liquid organic compound that is the active component of vinegar.No concerns
- Potassium acetateE261A potassium salt of acetic acid.Not enough
- Sodium acetatesE262A colorless salt of acetic acid that absorbs water from the air.Concerning in studies of people
- Calcium acetateE263Used in food as a preservative or stabiliser.Not enough
- Propionic acidE280An acid found in nature with a strong smell.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Sodium propionateE281The sodium salt of propionic acid.No concerns
- Calcium propionateE282A preservative made from propanoic acid.Not enough
- Sodium tetraborate (borax)E285A white solid that dissolves in water, listed as a food additive.Not enough
- Malic acidE296An acid found in fruits.No concerns
- Fumaric acidE297A white solid found widely in nature.Not enough
E300–E399 · Antioxidants and acidity regulators
40- Ascorbic acidE300A vitamin found in fruits and vegetables.Mostly no concerns
- Sodium ascorbateE301One of a number of mineral salts of ascorbic acid (vitamin C).Not enough
- Calcium ascorbateE302A compound that is the calcium salt of ascorbic acid.No concerns
- Fatty acid esters of ascorbic acidE304Used in food as an antioxidant.Not enough
- Tocopherol-rich extractE306A form of vitamin E that may be extracted from plant oils.Conflicting
- Alpha-tocopherolE307A type of vitamin E.Conflicting
- D-Alpha-tocopherolE307aUsed in food as an antioxidant.No concerns
- DL-Alpha-tocopherolE307cUsed in food as an antioxidant.Not enough
- Propyl gallateE310A substance added to foods that contain oils and fats.Not enough
- Erythorbic acidE315Used in food as an antioxidant.No concerns
- Sodium erythorbateE316Used in food as an antioxidant.Not enough
- Tertiary-butylhydroquinone (tbhq)E319A man-made chemical that is a type of phenol.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Butylated hydroxyanisole (bha)E320A man-made waxy solid from petroleum.Mostly no concerns
- Butylated hydroxytolueneE321A preservative used in food.Conflicting
- LecithinsE322Fatty substances from plants and animals that attract both water and fat.No concerns
- EthoxyquinE324A preservative used in some pet foods and spices.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Sodium lactateE325A salt made from lactic acid.Not enough
- Potassium lactateE326A substance made by neutralising lactic acid from sugar.Not enough
- Calcium lactateE327A white crystal salt made from calcium.No concerns
- Magnesium lactateE329A magnesium salt of lactic acid.Not enough
- Citric acidE330A colorless weak organic acid that occurs naturally in citrus fruits.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Sodium citratesE331Any of the sodium salts of citric acid.No concerns
- Potassium citratesE332A potassium salt of citric acid.No concerns
- Calcium citratesE333A calcium-based additive also used in supplements.Mostly no concerns
- L(+)-tartaric acidE334An acid found naturally in many fruits.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Potassium tartratesE336A potassium salt of tartaric acid.Not enough
- Phosphoric acidE338A colorless, odorless solid, commonly an 85% watery solution.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Sodium phosphatesE339A generic term for a variety of salts of sodium and phosphate.Conflicting
- Potassium phosphatesE340A group of salts made from potassium and phosphate.Not enough
- Calcium phosphatesE341Used in food as an emulsifier, humectant, sequestrant, stabiliser or thickener.No concerns
- Ammonium phosphateE342Used in food as a stabiliser or thickener.Not enough
- Magnesium phosphatesE343Used in food as a stabiliser or thickener.Not enough
- Magnesium citrateE345A salt made from magnesium and citric acid.No concerns
- Sodium malatesE350A compound that is the sodium salt of malic acid.Not enough
- Adipic acidE355A white powder made for industry.Not enough
- Succinic acidE363A food additive known as E363.Unclear
- Nicotinic acidE375A form of vitamin B3.Mostly no concerns
- Ferric ammonium citrateE381Ammonium ferric citrate, a compound whose iron is trivalent.Not enough
- Calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetateE385Used in food as an antioxidant, preservative or sequestrant.Not enough
- Extracts of rosemaryE392A concentrated extract from rosemary leaves.Unclear
E400–E499 · Thickeners, stabilisers and emulsifiers
56- Sodium alginateE401A gum from brown algae.No concerns
- Ammonium alginateE403A chemical compound found in certain brown algae.Not enough
- Calcium alginateE404Used in food as a carrier, humectant, sequestrant, stabiliser or thickener.No concerns
- Propane-1‚2-diol alginateE405A thickener made from kelp.No concerns
- AgarE406A jelly-like substance from some kinds of red algae.No concerns
- CarrageenanE407A gelling and thickening extract from red seaweeds.Conflicting
- Processed eucheuma seaweedE407aA gelling and thickening extract from red seaweed.Not enough
- Locust bean gumE410A vegetable gum from carob tree seeds, used as a thickener.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Guar gumE412A powder from guar beans.No concerns
- TragacanthE413A natural gum from the dried sap of Middle Eastern plants.No concerns
- Acacia gumE414A gum from acacia trees.Mostly no concerns
- Xanthan gumE415A substance made from sugars by fermentation.Mostly no concerns
- Karaya-gumE416A vegetable gum from trees.Not enough
- Tara gumE417Used in food as a stabiliser or thickener.Unclear
- Gellan gumE418A gelling agent made by fermenting sugar with bacteria.No concerns
- SorbitolE420Used in food as a humectant, sequestrant, stabiliser, sweetener or thickener.Mostly concerning in studies of people
- MannitolE421A sweetener that is a type of sugar alcohol.Concerning in studies of people
- GlycerolE422A sweet-tasting liquid that is found in animal fats and vegetable oils.Conflicting
- KonjacE425Used in food as a carrier, emulsifier, humectant, stabiliser or thickener.Mostly no concerns
- GelatineE428A food ingredient made from animal body parts.Mostly no concerns
- Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurateE432Used in food as an emulsifier or stabiliser.Not enough
- Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleateE433A man-made yellow liquid used in pharmaceuticals, foods, and cosmetics.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearateE435Used in food as an emulsifier or stabiliser.Not enough
- Polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearateE436Used in food as an emulsifier or stabiliser.Not enough
- PectinE440aA white-to-light-brown powder produced from citrus fruits.No concerns
- Pectin amideE440bA white-to-light-brown powder made from citrus fruits.Not enough
- Ammonium phosphatidesE442Used in food as an emulsifier.Not enough
- Brominated vegetable oilE443A plant oil changed with bromine.Not enough
- Sucrose acetate isobutyrateE444A food additive also called SAIB.No concerns
- Glycerol esters of wood rosinE445A food additive made from wood rosin and glycerin.Not enough
- DiphosphatesE450Used in food as an emulsifier, humectant, sequestrant, stabiliser or thickener.No concerns
- TriphosphatesE451Sodium triphosphate is an inorganic compound with formula Na5P3O10.Not enough
- PolyphosphatesE452Used in food as an emulsifier, humectant, sequestrant, stabiliser or thickener.Concerning in studies of people
- CelluloseE460A natural substance found in plants.Concerning in studies of people
- Methyl celluloseE461A compound derived from cellulose that is added to food products.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Ethyl celluloseE462A thickener and coating made from cellulose.Not enough
- Hydroxypropyl celluloseE463Used in food as an emulsifier, stabiliser or thickener.Not enough
- Hydroxypropyl methyl celluloseE464Used in food as an emulsifier, stabiliser or thickener.Not enough
- Sodium carboxy methyl celluloseE466A form of cellulose gum, often used as its sodium salt.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcelluloseE468Used in food as a stabiliser or thickener.Not enough
- Sodium/potassium and calcium salts of fatty acidsE470aUsed in food as an emulsifier, stabiliser or thickener.Not enough
- Magnesium salts of fatty acidsE470bUsed in food as an emulsifier, stabiliser or thickener.Not enough
- Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsE471A food additive composed of diglycerides and monoglycerides.Not enough
- Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsE472aUsed in food as an emulsifier, sequestrant or stabiliser.Not enough
- Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsE472bUsed in food as an emulsifier, sequestrant or stabiliser.Not enough
- Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsE472cUsed in food as an antioxidant, emulsifier, sequestrant or stabiliser.Not enough
- Mono- and diacetyltartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsE472eAn ingredient used in baking.Not enough
- Sucrose esters of fatty acidsE473A man-made substance made from sugar and fats.Not enough
- Polyglycerol esters of fatty acidsE475Used in food as an emulsifier or stabiliser.Not enough
- Polyglycerol polyricinoleateE476An emulsifier made from glycerol and fatty acids.No concerns
- Propane-1‚2-diol esters of fatty acidsE477Used in food as an emulsifier.Not enough
- Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylateE481Used in food as an emulsifier or stabiliser.Unclear
- Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylateE482Used in food as an emulsifier or stabiliser.Not enough
- Propylene glycolE490A thick, clear liquid with a faintly sweet taste.Unclear
- Sorbitan monostearateE491An ester of sorbitan, a sorbitol derivative, and stearic acid.Not enough
- Sorbitan tristearateE492A waxy substance used in food.Not enough
E500–E599 · Acidity regulators and anti-caking agents
40- Sodium carbonatesE500A white, odorless salt that dissolves in water and gives alkaline solutions.Not enough
- Potassium carbonatesE501A white salt that dissolves in water.Not enough
- Ammonium carbonatesE503A white powder used in baking.Not enough
- Magnesium carbonatesE504A colourless or white solid salt.Not enough
- Potassium chlorideE508Used in food as a stabiliser, thickener or preservative.Conflicting
- Calcium chlorideE509Used in food as a stabiliser, thickener or coagulant.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Ammonium chlorideE510A white salt that dissolves easily in water.Not enough
- Magnesium chlorideE511Used in food as a stabiliser or coagulant.Unclear
- Sodium sulphatesE514A white solid that dissolves easily in water.Not enough
- Potassium sulphatesE515A white solid also called sulphate of potash.Not enough
- Calcium sulphateE516An inorganic salt that occurs in several forms, including gypsum.Not enough
- Ammonium sulphateE517A salt used mainly as a soil fertilizer.Not enough
- Magnesium sulphateE518A white salt also known as Epsom salt.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Copper sulphateE519A blue crystal compound made of copper and sulfate.Not enough
- Aluminium sulphateE520A salt that dissolves in water.Not enough
- Aluminium sodium sulphateE521A white solid also known as soda alum.Not enough
- Aluminium ammonium sulphateE523A white crystal also called ammonium alum.Not enough
- Sodium hydroxideE524A white solid also known as lye.Not enough
- Potassium hydroxideE525A white solid also called caustic potash.Not enough
- Calcium hydroxideE526A white powder made from lime and water.Not enough
- Ammonium hydroxideE527Ammonia dissolved in water.Not enough
- Magnesium hydroxideE528A white mineral also called brucite.Not enough
- Calcium oxideE529A white solid also called quicklime or burnt lime.Not enough
- Magnesium oxideE530A white mineral that is a source of magnesium.No concerns
- Sodium ferrocyanideE535A yellow crystalline solid that dissolves in water.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Sodium thiosulfateE539A white solid that dissolves well in water.Not enough
- Sodium aluminium phosphateE541Used in food as an emulsifier, stabiliser or thickener.Not enough
- Silicon dioxideE551Used in food as a carrier.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Calcium silicateE552White free-flowing powders called calcium silicates.Not enough
- Magnesium silicatesE553Used in food as a thickener.Not enough
- Sodium aluminium silicateE554A compound made from sodium, aluminium, silicon and oxygen.Not enough
- Aluminium silicateE559A compound from aluminium oxide and silicon dioxide.Not enough
- Magnesium stearateE572A soft white powder made from magnesium and stearic acid.Not enough
- Gluconic acidE574A substance that comes from glucose.Not enough
- Glucono-delta-lactoneE575A colorless solid, an oxidized derivative of glucose.Not enough
- Sodium gluconateE576A white, water-soluble powder that is the sodium salt of gluconic acid.Not enough
- Potassium gluconateE577A potassium salt of the conjugate base of gluconic acid.No concerns
- Calcium gluconateE578A calcium supplement made from gluconic acid.No concerns
- Iron gluconateE579A black compound used as an iron supplement.No concerns
- Ferrous lactateE585A form of iron combined with lactate.Not enough
E600–E699 · Flavour enhancers
10- Glutamic acidE620A building block of proteins that gives food a savory taste.No concerns
- Monosodium glutamateE621A flavor enhancer made from glutamic acid.Mostly no concerns
- Guanylic acidE626A building block of RNA made by microbes.Not enough
- Disodium guanylateE627A natural flavor enhancer often used with other taste boosters.Not enough
- Disodium inosinateE631A food additive used in instant noodles, potato chips and other snacks.Not enough
- Disodium 5'-ribonucleotideE635A flavour enhancer made from two natural compounds.Not enough
- MaltolE636A flavour enhancer found in larch bark and pine needles.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- Ethyl maltolE637A flavourant used in some sweets.Not enough
- Glycine and its sodium saltE640A building block of proteins that tastes sweet.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- LeucineE641An essential amino acid used in making proteins.Mostly no concerns
E900–E999 · Glazing agents and sweeteners
37- Dimethylpolysiloxane and MethylphenylpolysiloxaneE900A silicone used in food and other products.Not enough
- White and yellow beeswaxE901A natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus Apis.Not enough
- Candelilla waxE902A wax from the leaves of the small candelilla shrub.Not enough
- Carnauba waxE903Used in food as a carrier.Not enough
- ShellacE904A resin from a bug.Not enough
- Synthetic waxE905A wax made from petroleum during refining.Not enough
- LanolinE913A wax from sheep's wool.Not enough
- Calcium iodateE916A mineral salt found in nature.Not enough
- Potassium iodateE917A white salt that dissolves in water.Not enough
- L-cysteineE920A building block of protein found in all living things.No concerns
- Potassium bromateE924A colorless salt used as a source of bromate.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- ChlorineE925A chemical element that is a yellow-green gas.Not enough
- Benzole peroxideE928A white granular solid used to bleach flour.Not enough
- Calcium peroxideE930A white compound made from calcium and oxygen.Not enough
- NitrogenE931A colourless and odourless gas that makes up most of the air.Not enough
- Nitrous oxideE942A colourless gas with a slightly sweet scent.Not enough
- ButaneE943aA flammable gas that turns to liquid easily.Not enough
- IsobutaneE943bA colourless, odourless gas.Not enough
- PropaneE944A gas that turns liquid when compressed.Not enough
- Acesulfame kE950Used in food as a sweetener.Conflicting
- AspartameE951An artificial sweetener used instead of sugar.Mostly concerning in studies of people
- Cyclamic acid and its Na and Ca saltsE952Used in food as a sweetener.No concerns
- IsomaltE953A sugar substitute used for its sugar-like physical properties.Conflicting
- Saccharin and its saltsE954Used in food as a sweetener.Concerning in animal and lab studies
- SucraloseE955An artificial sweetener used instead of sugar.Conflicting
- ThaumatinE957A sweetener from a West African fruit.Unclear
- Steviol glycosidesE960A sweetener from the leaves of a South American plant.No concerns
- Steviol glycosides from SteviaE960aUsed in food as a sweetener.Not enough
- NeotameE961A sweetener that has no calories.Unclear
- Salt of aspartame-acesulfameE962An artificial sweetener marketed under the name Twinsweet.Not enough
- TagatoseE963A sweetener found in small amounts in foods.Conflicting
- Polyglycitol syrupE964Used in food as a sweetener.Concerning in studies of people
- MaltitolE965Used in food as an emulsifier, humectant, stabiliser, sweetener or thickener.Conflicting
- LactitolE966A sweetener made from milk sugar.Conflicting
- XylitolE967A sweetener that can come from birch wood.Mostly no concerns
- ErythritolE968A sweetener made from corn using enzymes and fermentation.Mostly no concerns
- Quillaia extractE999An extract from the bark of the soapbark tree.Not enough
E1000–E1999 · Other additives
23- Alpha-AmylaseE1100An enzyme that turns starch into sugars.Not enough
- ProteaseE1101An enzyme that breaks down proteins.Not enough
- Glucose oxidaseE1102An enzyme made by certain fungi and insects.No concerns
- InvertaseE1103An enzyme usually made from yeast.Not enough
- LipaseE1104An enzyme that breaks down fats.Not enough
- LysozymeE1105Used in food as a preservative.Not enough
- PolydextroseE1200A man-made fibre made from glucose.Mostly no concerns
- PolyvinylpyrrolidoneE1201A water-soluble compound made from N-vinylpyrrolidone.Not enough
- PolyvinylpolypyrrolidoneE1202A changed form of a tablet helper that soaks up water.Not enough
- Polyvinyl alcoholE1203Used in food as a thickener.Not enough
- CarbomerE1210A polymer made from acrylic acid.Not enough
- DextrinE1400A group of carbohydrates made from starch.Mostly no concerns
- Distarch phosphateE1412A modified starch.Conflicting
- Acetylated distarch phosphateE1414A changed starch that is not absorbed whole by the gut.Concerning in studies of people
- Acetylated starchE1420Used in food as an emulsifier, stabiliser or thickener.Not enough
- Acetylated distarch adipateE1422Used in food as an emulsifier, stabiliser or thickener.Not enough
- Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphateE1442A modified resistant starch used as a food additive.No concerns
- Starch sodium octenyl succinateE1450A changed starch that the gut does not absorb whole.No concerns
- Castor oilE1503Used in food as a carrier or emulsifier.Not enough
- Triethyl citrateE1505A liquid made from citric acid.Not enough
- Glyceryl triacetateE1518Used in food as a carrier, emulsifier or humectant.Not enough
- Benzyl alcoholE1519A clear liquid with a mild pleasant smell.Not enough
- Polyethylene glycolE1521A compound derived from petroleum used in many things.Not enough