Food additives, explained
356 E-numbers, each with a verdict traced to the regulators’ own assessments. 198 rated safe, 37 safe in moderation, 4 use caution, 28 better avoided.
E100–E199 · Colours
- E100 · CurcuminSafe
- E101 · Riboflavin, Riboflavin-5'-phosphateSafe
- E101A · Riboflavin-5-phosphateSafe
- E102 · TartrazineSafe in moderation
- E104 · Quinoline YellowBetter avoided
- E110 · Sunset Yellow FCFSafe in moderation
- E120 · Cochineal, carminic acid, carmineSafe
- E122 · Azorubine, CarmoisineBetter avoided
- E123 · AmaranthBetter avoided
- E124 · Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red ABetter avoided
- E127 · ErythrosineBetter avoided
- E128 · Red 2GBetter avoided
- E129 · Allura Red ACSafe in moderation
- E131 · Patent Blue VBetter avoided
- E132 · Indigotine, Indigo carmineSafe in moderation
- E133 · Brilliant Blue FCFSafe in moderation
- E140 · Chlorophylls, chlorophyllinsSafe
- E141 · Copper complexes of chlorophylls, copper complexes of chlorophyllinsSafe
- E142 · Green SBetter avoided
- E143 · Fast Green FCFSafe in moderation
- E150 · Caramel ColorSafe in moderation
- E150A · Plain caramelSafe
- E150B · Alkaline sulphite caramelSafe
- E150C · Ammonia caramelSafe
- E150D · Sulphite ammonia caramelSafe in moderation
- E151 · Brilliant Black BN, Black PNBetter avoided
- E153 · Vegetable charcoalSafe
- E154 · Brown FCBetter avoided
- E155 · Brown HTBetter avoided
- E160A · Carotene mixture, beta caroteneSafe
- E160B · Annatto, bixin, norbixinSafe
- E160C · Paprika extract, capsanthin, capsorubinSafe
- E160D · LycopeneSafe
- E160E · Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (C 30)Safe
- E160F · Beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid ethyl ester (C 30)Safe
- E161B · LuteinSafe
- E161G · CanthaxanthinSafe
- E162 · Beetroot red, betaninSafe
- E163 · AnthocyaninsSafe
- E170 · Calcium carbonate, calcium hydrogen carbonateSafe
- E171 · Titanium dioxideBetter avoided
- E172 · Iron oxides and hydroxidesSafe
- E173 · AluminiumBetter avoided
- E174 · SilverBetter avoided
- E175 · GoldBetter avoided
- E180 · Litolrubine BKBetter avoided
- E1103 · InvertaseSafe
- E1105 · LysozymeSafe
- E1200 · PolydextroseNot yet rated
- E1201 · PolyvinylpyrrolidoneSafe
- E1202 · PolyvinylpolypyrrolinoneSafe
- E1204 · PullulanNot yet rated
- E1404 · Oxidized starchNot yet rated
- E1410 · Monostarch phosphateNot yet rated
- E1412 · Distarch phosphateNot yet rated
- E1413 · Phosphated distarch phosphateNot yet rated
- E1414 · Acetylated distarch phosphateNot yet rated
- E1420 · Acetylated starchNot yet rated
- E1422 · Acetylated distarch adipateNot yet rated
- E1440 · Hydroxypropyl starchNot yet rated
- E1442 · Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphateNot yet rated
- E1450 · Starch sodium octenylsuccinateNot yet rated
- E1451 · Acetylated oxidized starchNot yet rated
- E1452 · Starch aluminum octenyl succinateSafe
- E1505 · Triethyl citrateSafe
- E1517 · Glyceryl diacetate (diacetin)Not yet rated
- E1518 · TriacetinNot yet rated
- E1519 · Benzyl alcoholNot yet rated
- E1520 · Propane-1,2-diolNot yet rated
E200–E299 · Preservatives
- E200 · Sorbic acidSafe in moderation
- E201 · Sodium sorbateSafe
- E202 · Potassium sorbateSafe
- E203 · Calcium sorbateSafe
- E210 · Benzoic acidSafe
- E211 · Sodium benzoateSafe in moderation
- E212 · Potassium benzoateSafe
- E213 · Calcium benzoateSafe
- E214 · Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoateBetter avoided
- E215 · Sodium ethyl p-hydroxybenzoateUse caution
- E216 · Propyl p-hydroxybenzoateBetter avoided
- E217 · Sodium propyl p-hydroxybenzoateBetter avoided
- E218 · Methyl p-hydroxybenzoateSafe in moderation
- E219 · Sodium methyl p-hydroxybenzoateBetter avoided
- E220 · Sulfur dioxideSafe in moderation
- E221 · Sodium sulfiteSafe
- E222 · Sodium bisulfiteSafe
- E223 · Sodium metabisulfiteSafe
- E224 · Potassium metabisulfiteSafe
- E226 · Calcium sulfiteBetter avoided
- E227 · Calcium hydrogen sulfiteSafe
- E228 · Potassium hydrogen sulfiteSafe in moderation
- E230 · BiphenylBetter avoided
- E231 · OrthophenylphenolSafe
- E232 · Sodium orthophenylphenolSafe
- E233 · ThiabendazoleBetter avoided
- E234 · NisinSafe
- E235 · NatamycinBetter avoided
- E236 · Formic acidSafe
- E237 · Sodium formateBetter avoided
- E238 · Calcium formateSafe
- E239 · HexamethylenetetramineBetter avoided
- E240 · FormaldehydeBetter avoided
- E242 · Dimethyl dicarbonateSafe
- E249 · Potassium nitriteUse caution
- E250 · Sodium nitriteSafe in moderation
- E251 · Sodium nitrateSafe in moderation
- E252 · Potassium nitrateSafe
- E260 · Acetic acidSafe
- E261 · Potassium acetateSafe
- E262 · Sodium acetate, sodium hydrogen acetate (sodium diacetate)Safe
- E263 · Calcium acetateSafe
- E270 · Lactic acidSafe
- E280 · Propionic acidSafe
- E281 · Sodium propionateSafe
- E282 · Calcium propionateSafe
- E283 · Potassium propionateSafe
- E284 · Boric acidSafe
- E285 · Sodium tetraborate (borax)Safe
- E290 · Carbon dioxideSafe
- E296 · Malic acidSafe
- E297 · Fumaric acidSafe
E300–E399 · Antioxidants & acidity regulators
- E300 · Ascorbic acidSafe
- E301 · Sodium ascorbateSafe
- E302 · Calcium ascorbateSafe
- E304 · Ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl stearateSafe
- E306 · Tocopherols concentrated extractSafe
- E307 · Alpha-tocopherolSafe
- E308 · Gamma-tocopherolSafe
- E309 · Delta-tocopherolSafe
- E310 · Propyl gallateSafe in moderation
- E311 · Octyl gallateUse caution
- E312 · Dodecyl gallateSafe in moderation
- E315 · Erythorbic acidSafe
- E316 · Sodium erythorbateSafe in moderation
- E319 · Tertiary Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)Safe in moderation
- E320 · Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)Safe in moderation
- E321 · Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)Safe
- E322 · LecithinSafe
- E325 · Sodium lactateSafe
- E326 · Potassium lactateSafe
- E327 · Calcium lactateSafe
- E330 · Citric acidSafe
- E331 · Sodium citrates (monosodium, disodium, trisodium)Safe in moderation
- E332 · Monopotassium citrate, tripotassium citrateSafe
- E333 · Calcium citratesSafe
- E334 · Tartaric acid (L)Safe
- E335 · Monosodium tartrate, disodium tartrateSafe
- E336 · Monopotassium tartrate, dipotassium tartrateSafe
- E336(I) · Cream of TartarSafe
- E337 · Potassium sodium tartrateSafe
- E338 · Orthophosphoric acidSafe in moderation
- E339 · Sodium phosphatesSafe
- E340 · Potassium phosphatesSafe
- E341 · Calcium phosphatesSafe
- E341(I) · Monocalcium PhosphateSafe
- E341(III) · Tricalcium PhosphateSafe
- E343 · Monomagnesium phosphate, dimagnesium phosphateSafe
- E350 · Sodium malate, sodium hydrogen malateSafe
- E351 · Potassium malateSafe
- E352 · Calcium malate, calcium hydrogen malateSafe
- E353 · Metatartaric acidSafe
- E354 · Calcium tartrateSafe
- E355 · Adipic acidSafe
- E356 · Sodium adipateSafe
- E357 · Potassium adipateSafe
- E363 · Succinic acidSafe
- E380 · Triammonium citrateSafe
- E385 · Calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (Calcium disodium EDTA)Safe
- E392 · Rosemary ExtractSafe in moderation
E400–E499 · Thickeners, stabilisers, emulsifiers
- E400 · Alginic acidSafe
- E401 · Sodium alginateSafe
- E402 · Potassium alginateSafe
- E403 · Ammonium alginateSafe
- E404 · Calcium alginateSafe
- E405 · Propane-1,2-diol alginateSafe
- E406 · AgarSafe
- E407 · CarrageenanSafe
- E407A · Processed eucheuma seaweedSafe
- E410 · Carob Bean GumSafe in moderation
- E410 · Locust bean gumSafe
- E412 · Guar gumSafe
- E413 · TragacanthSafe
- E414 · Acacia gum (gum arabic)Safe
- E415 · Xanthan gumSafe in moderation
- E416 · Karaja SakSafe
- E417 · Tara resinSafe
- E418 · Gellan gumSafe
- E420 · Sorbitol, sorbitol syrupNot yet rated
- E421 · MannitolNot yet rated
- E422 · GlycerolNot yet rated
- E425 · Konjac GumUse caution
- E425(I) · Konjac gumSafe
- E425(II) · Konjac GlucomannanSafe
- E426 · Soybean hemicelluloseSafe
- E428 · GelatinSafe
- E431 · Polyoxyethylene (40) stearateNot yet rated
- E432 · Polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-laurate (polysorbate 20)Not yet rated
- E433 · Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (polysorbate 80)Not yet rated
- E434 · Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate (polysorbate 40)Not yet rated
- E435 · Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate (polysorbate 60)Not yet rated
- E436 · Polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate (polysorbate 65)Not yet rated
- E440 · PectinSafe
- E440 · fruit pectinSafe
- E440A · PectinSafe
- E440B · Amidated pectinSafe
- E442 · Ammonium phosphatidesNot yet rated
- E444 · Sucrose acetate isobutyrateNot yet rated
- E445 · Glycerol esters of wood rosinNot yet rated
- E450 · DiphosphatesNot yet rated
- E450(I) · Sodium Acid PyrophosphateSafe in moderation
- E451 · Pentasodium triphosphate, pentapotassium triphosphateSafe
- E451(I) · Sodium TripolyphosphateSafe in moderation
- E452 · PolyphosphatesNot yet rated
- E452(I) · Sodium HexametaphosphateSafe in moderation
- E459 · Beta-cyclodextrinSafe
- E460 · Microcrystalline cellulose, powdered celluloseNot yet rated
- E460(I) · Microcrystalline CelluloseSafe
- E461 · MethylcelluloseSafe
- E462 · EthylcelluloseSafe
- E463 · HydroxypropylcelluloseSafe
- E464 · Hydroxypropyl methylcelluloseSafe
- E465 · Ethyl methyl celluloseSafe
- E466 · Carboxymethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcelluloseSafe
- E468 · Cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl celluloseSafe
- E469 · Enzymatically hydrolyzed carboxymethylcelluloseSafe
- E470A · Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acidsNot yet rated
- E470B · Magnesium salts of fatty acidsNot yet rated
- E471 · Monoglycerides and diglycerides of fatty acidsNot yet rated
- E472A · Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsNot yet rated
- E472B · Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsSafe in moderation
- E472C · Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsNot yet rated
- E472D · Tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsSafe in moderation
- E472E · Acetyltartaric acid esters of mono- and diglyceridesNot yet rated
- E472F · Acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsNot yet rated
- E473 · Sucrose esters of fatty acidsNot yet rated
- E474 · Sucrose glyceridesNot yet rated
- E475 · Polyglycerol esters of fatty acidsNot yet rated
- E476 · Polyglycerol polyricinoleateNot yet rated
- E477 · Propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acidsNot yet rated
- E479B · Thermally oxidized soybean oil with fatty acid glyceridesNot yet rated
- E481 · Sodium stearoyl-2-lactateNot yet rated
- E482 · Calcium stearoyl-2-lactateNot yet rated
- E483 · Stearyl tartrate, Stearyl palmityl tartrateBetter avoided
- E491 · Sorbitan monostearateNot yet rated
- E492 · Sorbitan tristearateNot yet rated
- E493 · Sorbitan monolaurateNot yet rated
- E494 · Sorbitan monooleateNot yet rated
- E495 · Sorbitan monopalmitateNot yet rated
E500–E599 · Acidity regulators & anti-caking agents
- E500 · Sodium carbonatesSafe
- E500(II) · Sodium BicarbonateSafe
- E501 · Potassium carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonateSafe
- E501(II) · Potassium BicarbonateSafe in moderation
- E503 · Ammonium carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonateSafe
- E503(II) · Ammonium BicarbonateSafe in moderation
- E504 · Magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide carbonateSafe
- E507 · Hydrochloric acidSafe
- E508 · Potassium chlorideSafe
- E509 · Calcium chlorideSafe
- E511 · Magnesium chlorideSafe
- E512 · Stannous chlorideSafe
- E513 · Sulfuric acidSafe
- E514 · Sodium sulfate, sodium hydrogen sulfateSafe
- E515 · Potassium sulfate, potassium hydrogen sulfateSafe
- E516 · Calcium sulfateSafe
- E517 · Ammonium sulfateSafe
- E520 · Aluminum sulfateSafe
- E521 · Aluminum sodium sulfateSafe
- E522 · Aluminum potassium sulfateSafe
- E523 · Aluminum ammonium sulfateSafe
- E524 · Sodium hydroxideSafe
- E525 · Potassium hydroxideSafe
- E526 · Calcium hydroxideSafe
- E527 · Ammonium hydroxideSafe
- E528 · Magnesium hydroxideSafe
- E529 · Calcium oxideSafe
- E530 · Magnesium oxideSafe
- E535 · Sodium ferrocyanideSafe
- E536 · Potassium ferrocyanideSafe
- E538 · Calcium ferrocyanideSafe
- E541 · Sodium aluminum phosphate, acidicSafe
- E551 · Silicon dioxideSafe
- E552 · Calcium silicateSafe
- E553A · Magnesium silicate, magnesium trisilicateSafe
- E553B · TalcSafe
- E554 · Sodium aluminum silicateSafe
- E555 · Potassium aluminum silicateSafe
- E556 · Calcium aluminum silicateSafe
- E558 · BentoniteSafe
- E559 · Aluminum silicate (kaolin)Safe
- E570 · Fatty acidsNot yet rated
- E574 · Gluconic acidSafe
- E575 · Glucono delta-lactoneSafe
- E576 · Sodium gluconateSafe
- E577 · Potassium gluconateSafe
- E578 · Calcium gluconateSafe
- E579 · Ferrous gluconateSafe
- E585 · Ferrous lactateSafe
E600–E699 · Flavour enhancers
- E620 · Glutamic acidNot yet rated
- E621 · Monosodium glutamateNot yet rated
- E622 · Monopotassium glutamateNot yet rated
- E623 · Calcium diglutamateNot yet rated
- E624 · Monoammonium glutamateNot yet rated
- E625 · Magnesium diglutamateNot yet rated
- E626 · Guanylic acidNot yet rated
- E627 · Disodium guanylateNot yet rated
- E628 · Dipotassium guanylateNot yet rated
- E629 · Calcium guanylateNot yet rated
- E630 · Inosinic acidNot yet rated
- E631 · Disodium inosinateNot yet rated
- E632 · Dipotassium inosinateNot yet rated
- E633 · Calcium inosinateNot yet rated
- E634 · Calcium 5'-ribonucleotidesNot yet rated
- E635 · Disodium 5'-ribonucleotidesNot yet rated
- E636 · MaltolSafe in moderation
- E637 · EthylmaltolNot yet rated
- E640 · Glycine and its sodium saltNot yet rated
- E641 · L-LeucineSafe
- E650 · Zinc acetateNot yet rated
E900–E999 · Glazing agents, gases, sweeteners
- E900 · DimethylpolysiloxaneNot yet rated
- E901 · Beeswax, white and yellowSafe
- E902 · Candelilla waxSafe
- E903 · Carnauba waxSafe
- E904 · ShellacSafe
- E905 · Microcrystalline waxSafe
- E907 · Hydrogenated poly-1-deceneSafe
- E912 · Montanic acid estersSafe
- E913 · LanolinSafe in moderation
- E914 · Oxidized polyethylene waxesSafe
- E920 · L-cysteineNot yet rated
- E927B · UreaNot yet rated
- E938 · ArgonSafe
- E939 · HeliumSafe
- E941 · NitrogenSafe
- E942 · Nitric oxideSafe
- E943A · ButaneSafe
- E943B · IsobutaneSafe
- E944 · PropaneSafe
- E948 · OxygenSafe
- E949 · HydrogenSafe
- E950 · Acesulfame KNot yet rated
- E951 · AspartameNot yet rated
- E952 · Cyclamic acid, calcium cyclamate, sodium cyclamateNot yet rated
- E953 · IsomaltNot yet rated
- E954 · Saccharin and saltsNot yet rated
- E955 · SucraloseNot yet rated
- E957 · ThaumatinNot yet rated
- E959 · Neohesperidin DCNot yet rated
- E960 · Steviol Glycosides (Stevia)Safe in moderation
- E961 · NeotameSafe in moderation
- E962 · Aspartame-acesulfame saltNot yet rated
- E965 · Maltitol, maltitol syrupNot yet rated
- E966 · LactitolNot yet rated
- E967 · XylitolNot yet rated
- E968 · ErythritolNot yet rated
- E969 · AdvantameSafe in moderation
- E999 · Kulaja extractNot yet rated
E1000+ · Additional chemicals
- E1103 · InvertaseSafe
- E1105 · LysozymeSafe
- E1200 · PolydextroseNot yet rated
- E1201 · PolyvinylpyrrolidoneSafe
- E1202 · PolyvinylpolypyrrolinoneSafe
- E1204 · PullulanNot yet rated
- E1404 · Oxidized starchNot yet rated
- E1410 · Monostarch phosphateNot yet rated
- E1412 · Distarch phosphateNot yet rated
- E1413 · Phosphated distarch phosphateNot yet rated
- E1414 · Acetylated distarch phosphateNot yet rated
- E1420 · Acetylated starchNot yet rated
- E1422 · Acetylated distarch adipateNot yet rated
- E1440 · Hydroxypropyl starchNot yet rated
- E1442 · Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphateNot yet rated
- E1450 · Starch sodium octenylsuccinateNot yet rated
- E1451 · Acetylated oxidized starchNot yet rated
- E1452 · Starch aluminum octenyl succinateSafe
- E1505 · Triethyl citrateSafe
- E1517 · Glyceryl diacetate (diacetin)Not yet rated
- E1518 · TriacetinNot yet rated
- E1519 · Benzyl alcoholNot yet rated
- E1520 · Propane-1,2-diolNot yet rated