E Number Food Additives

Those marked with an asterisk are suspected of being capable of causing an allergic reaction.

The European Parliament has voted to add a warning label to all foods containing the following colours - Tartrazine (E102)- Quinoline yellow (E104) Quinoline yellow (E104) - Sunset yellow (E110) Sunset yellow (E110) - Carmoisine (E122) Carmoisine (E122) - Ponceau 4R (E124) - Ponceau 4R (E124) - Allura red (E129)

Note: We do not advocate or counsel against the use of any of the food additives mentioned on this page.

E100 Curcumin, turmeric

E101 Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), formerly called lactoflavin

E101a Riboflavin-5'-Phosphate

E102 Tartrazine *

E103 Chrysoine Resorcinol

E104 Quinoline Yellow *

E105 Fast Yellow AB

E106 Riboflavin-5-Sodium Phosphate

E107 Yellow 2G *

E110 Sunset Yellow FCF, Orange Yellow S *

E111 Orange GGN

E120 Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines * (animal origin)

E121 Orcein, Orchil

E122 Carmoisine, Azorubine *

E123 Amaranth *

E124 Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red A, Brilliant Scarlet 4R *

E125 Scarlet GN

E126 Ponceau 6R

E127 Erythrosine *

E128 Red 2G *

E129 Allura Red AC *

E130 Indanthrene blue RS

E131 Patent Blue V *

E132 Indigo carmine, Indigotine *

E133 Brilliant Blue FCF *

E140 Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins: (i) Chlorophylls (ii) Chlorophyllins

E141 Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins (i) Copper complexes of chlorophylls (ii) Copper complexes of
chlorophyllins

E142 Greens S *

E150a Plain Caramel

E150b Caustic sulphite caramel

E150c Ammonia caramel

E150d Sulphite ammonia caramel

E151 Black PN, Brilliant Black BN *

E152 Black 7984 *

E153 Carbon black, Vegetable carbon

E154 Brown FK, Kipper Brown *

E155 Brown HT, Chocolate brown HT *

E160a Alpha-carotene, Beta-carotene, Gamma-carotene

E160b Annatto, bixin, norbixin *

E160c Capsanthin, capsorubin, Paprika extract

E160d Lycopene

E160e Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (C 30)

E160f Ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenic acid (C 30)

E161a Flavoxanthin

E161b Lutein

E161c Cryptoaxanthin

E161d Rubixanthin

E161e Violaxanthin

E161f Rhodoxanthin

E161g Canthaxanthin

E162 Beetroot Red, Betanin

E163 Anthocyanins

E170 Calcium carbonate

E171 Titanium dioxide

E172 Iron oxides and hydroxides

E173 Aluminum

E174 Silver

E175 Gold

E180 Pigment Rubine, Lithol Rubine BK

E181 Tannin

E200 Sorbic acid (Preservative)

E201 Sodium sorbate (Preservative)

E202 Potassium sorbate (Preservative)

E203 Calcium sorbate (Preservative)

E210 Benzoic acid (Preservative) *

E211 Sodium benzoate (Preservative) *

E212 Potassium benzoate (Preservative) *

E213 Calcium benzoate (Preservative) *

E214 Ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate (Preservative) *

E215 Sodium ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate (Preservative) *

E216 Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate (Preservative) *

E217 Sodium propyl para-hydroxybenzoate (Preservative) *

E218 Methyl para-hydroxybenzoate (Preservative) *

E219 Sodium methyl para-hydroxybenzoate (Preservative) *

E220 Sulphur dioxide (Preservative) *

E221 Sodium sulphite (Preservative) *

E222 Sodium hydrogen sulphite (Preservative) *

E223 Sodium metabisulphite (Preservative) *

E224 Potassium metabisulphite (Preservative) *

E225 Sodium sulphite (Preservative) *

E226 Calcium sulphite (Preservative) *

E227 Calcium hydrogen sulphite (Preservative) *

E228 Potassium hydrogen sulphite (Preservative) *

E230 Biphenyl, diphenyl (Preservative)

E231 Orthophenyl phenol (Preservative)

E232 Sodium orthophenyl phenol (Preservative)

E233 Thiabendazole (Preservative)

E234 Nisin (Preservative)

E235 Natamycin, Pimaracin (Preservative)

E236 Formic acid (Preservative)

E237 Sodium formiate (Preservative)

E238 Calcium formiate (Preservative)

E239 Hexamethylene tetramine, Hexamine (Preservative)

E240 Formaldehyde (Preservative)

E242 Dimethyl dicarbonate (Preservative)

E249 Potassium nitrite (Preservative)

E250 Sodium nitrite (Preservative)

E251 Sodium nitrate, saltpetre (Preservative)

E252 Potassium nitrate (Saltpetre) (Preservative)

E260 Acetic acid (Preservative) (Acidity regulator)

E261 Potassium acetate (Preservative) (Acidity regulator)

E262 Sodium acetates (i) Sodium acetate (ii) Sodium hydrogen acetate (sodium diacetate) (Preservative) (Acidity regulator)

E263 Calcium acetate (Preservative) (Acidity regulator)

E264 Ammonium acetate (Preservative)

E270 Lactic acid (Preservative) (Antioxidant)

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)

E296 Malic acid (Acidity regulator)

E297 Fumaric acid (Acidity regulator)

E300 Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) (Antioxidant)

E301 Sodium ascorbate (Antioxidant)

E302 Calcium ascorbate (Antioxidant)

E303 Potassium ascorbate (Antioxidant)

E304 Fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid (i) Ascorbyl palmitate (ii) Ascorbyl stearate (Antioxidant)

E306 Tocopherol-rich extract (natural) (Antioxidant)

E307 Alpha-tocopherol (synthetic) (Antioxidant)

E308 Gamma-tocopherol (synthetic) (Antioxidant)

E309 Delta-tocopherol (synthetic) (Antioxidant)

E310 Propyl gallate (Antioxidant) *

E311 Octyl gallate (Antioxidant) *

E312 Dodecyl gallate (Antioxidant) *

E315 Erythorbic acid (Antioxidant)

E316 Sodium erythorbate (Antioxidant)

E317 Erythorbin acid (Antioxidant)

E318 Sodium erythorbin (Antioxidant)

E319 Butylhydroxinon (Antioxidant)

E320 Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) (Antioxidant)

E321 Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (Antioxidant) *

E322 Lecithin (Emulsifier)

E325 Sodium lactate (Antioxidant)

E326 Potassium lactate (Antioxidant) (Acidity regulator)

E327 Calcium lactate (Antioxidant) (Acidity regulator)

E329 Magnesium lactate (Antioxidant)

E330 Citric acid (Antioxidant)

E331 Sodium citrates (i) Monosodium citrate (ii) Disodium citrate (iii) Trisodium citrate (Antioxidant)

E332 Potassium citrates (i) Monopotassium citrate (ii) Tripotassium citrate (Antioxidant)

E333 Calcium citrates (i) Monocalcium citrate (ii) Dicalcium citrate (iii) Tricalcium citrate

E334 Tartaric acid (L(+)-) (Antioxidant)

E335 Sodium tartrates (i) Monosodium tartrate (ii) Disodium tartrate (Antioxidant)

E336 Potassium tartrates (i) Monopotassium tartrate (cream of tartar) (ii) Dipotassium tartrate (Antioxidant)

E337 Sodium potassium tartrate (Antioxidant)

E338 Phosphoric acid (Antioxidant)

E339 Sodium phosphates (i) Monosodium phosphate (ii) Disodium phosphate (iii) Trisodium phosphate (Antioxidant)

E340 Potassium phosphates (i) Monopotassium phosphate (ii) Dipotassium phosphate (iii) Tripotassium phosphate (Antioxidant)

E341 Calcium phosphates (i) Monocalcium phosphate (ii) Dicalcium phosphate (iii) Tricalcium phosphate (Anti-caking agent)

E343 Magnesium phosphates (i) monomagnesium phosphate (ii) Dimagnesium phosphate
§

E350 Sodium malates (i) Sodium malate (ii) Sodium hydrogen malate (Acidity regulator)

E351 Potassium malate (Acidity regulator)

E352 Calcium malates (i) Calcium malate (ii) Calcium hydrogen malate

E353 Metatartaric acid (Emulsifier)

E354 Calcium tartrate (Emulsifier)

E355 Adipic acid

E356 Sodium adipate

E357 Potassium adipate

E363 Succinic acid

E365 Sodium fumarate

E366 Potassium fumarate

E367 Calcium fumarate

E370 I,4-Heptonolactone

E375 Nicotinic acid, Niacin, Nicotinamide *

E380 Triammonium citrate

E381 Ammoniumferrocitrate

E385 Calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetra-acetate (Calcium disodium EDTA)

E400 Alginic acid (Emulsifier)

E401 Sodium alginate (Emulsifier)

E402 Potassium alginate (Emulsifier)

E403 Ammonium alginate (Emulsifier)

E404 Calcium alginate (Emulsifier)

E405 Propane-1,2-diol alginate (Propylene glycol alginate) (Emulsifier)

E406 Agar (Emulsifier)

E407 Carrageenan (Emulsifier) *

E407a Processed eucheuma seaweed (Emulsifier)
E410 Locust bean gum (Carob gum) (Emulsifier)

E412 Guar gum (Emulsifier)

E413 Tragacanth (Emulsifier) *

E414 Acacia gum (gum arabic) (Emulsifier) *

E415 Xanthan gum (Emulsifier)

E416 Karaya gum (Emulsifier) *

E417 Tara gum (Emulsifier)

E418 Gellan gum (Emulsifier)

E420 Sorbitol (i) Sorbitol (ii) Sorbitol syrup (Emulsifier) (Sweetener) (Humectant)

E421 Mannitol (Anti-caking agent) (Sweetener)

E422 Glycerol (Emulsifier) (Sweetener)

E425 Konjac (i) Konjac gum (ii) Konjac glucomannane (Emulsifier) §

E430 Polyoxyethylene (8) stearate (Emulsifier) (Stabiliser) *

E431 Polyoxyethylene (40) stearate (Emulsifier)

E432 Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (polysorbate 20) (Emulsifier)

E433 Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (polysorbate 80) (Emulsifier)

E434 Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate (polysorbate 40) (Emulsifier)

E435 Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate (polysorbate 60) (Emulsifier)

E436 Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristearate (polysorbate 65) (Emulsifier)

E440 Pectins (i) pectin (ii) amidated pectin (Emulsifier)

E441 Gelatine (Emulsifier)

E442 Ammonium phosphatides (Emulsifier)

E444 Sucrose acetate isobutyrate (Emulsifier)

E445 Glycerol esters of wood rosins (Emulsifier)

E450 Diphosphates (i) Disodium diphosphate (ii) Trisodium diphosphate(iii) Tetrasodium diphosphate (iv) Dipotassium diphosphate
(v) Tetrapotassium diphosphate (vi) Dicalcium diphosphate (vii) Calcium dihydrogen diphosphate (Emulsifier)

E451 Triphosphates (i) Pentasodium triphosphate (ii) Pentapotassium triphosphate (Emulsifier)

E452 Polyphosphates (i) Sodium polyphosphates (ii) Potassium polyphosphates (iii) Sodium calcium polyphosphate (iv) Calcium
polyphophates (Emulsifier)

E459 Beta-cyclodextrine (Emulsifier) future amendment
to the §

E460 Cellulose (i) Microcrystalline cellulose (ii) Powdered cellulose (Emulsifier)

E461 Methyl cellulose (Emulsifier)

E462 Ethyl cellulose (Emulsifier)

E463 Hydroxypropyl cellulose (Emulsifier)

E464 Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (Emulsifier)

E465 Ethyl methyl cellulose (Emulsifier)

E466 Carboxy methyl cellulose, Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (Emulsifier)

E468 Crosslinked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Emulsifier) §

E469 Enzymically hydrolysed carboxymethylcellulose (Emulsifier)
§

E470a Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids (Emulsifier) (Anti-caking agent)

E470b Magnesium salts of fatty acids (Emulsifier) (Anti-caking agent)

E471 Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl distearate) (Emulsifier) (possibly
of animal origin)

E472a Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (Emulsifier)

E472b Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (Emulsifier)

E472c Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (Emulsifier)

E472d Tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (Emulsifier)

E472e Mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (Emulsifier)

E472f Mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (Emulsifier)

E473 Sucrose esters of fatty acids (Emulsifier)

E474 Sucroglycerides (Emulsifier)

E475 Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids (Emulsifier)

E476 Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (Emulsifier)

E477 Propane-1, 2-diol esters of fatty acids, propylene glycol esters of fatty acids (Emulsifier) (possibly of
animal origin)

E478 Lactylated fatty acid esters of glycerol and propane-1 (Emulsifier)

E479b Thermally oxidized soya bean oil interacted with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (Emulsifier)

E481 Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (Emulsifier)

E482 Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate (Emulsifier)

E483 Stearyl tartrate (Emulsifier)

E491 Sorbitan monostearate (Emulsifier)

E492 Sorbitan tristearate (Emulsifier)

E493 Sorbitan monolaurate (Emulsifier)

E494 Sorbitan monooleate (Emulsifier)

E495 Sorbitan monopalmitate (Emulsifier)

E500 Sodium carbonates (i) Sodium carbonate (ii) Sodium hydrogen carbonate (Bicarbonate of soda) (iii) Sodium sesquicarbonate (Acidity regulator) (Raising Agent)

E501 Potassium carbonates (i) Potassium carbonate (ii) Potassium hydrogen carbonate (Acidity regulator)

E503 Ammonium carbonates (i) Ammonium carbonate (ii) Ammonium hydrogen carbonate (Acidity regulator)

E504 Magnesium carbonates (i) Magnesium carbonate (ii) Magnesium hydroxide carbonate (syn. Magnesium hydrogen
carbonate) (Acidity regulator) (Anti-caking agent)

E507 Hydrochloric acid (Acidity regulator)

E508 Potassium chloride (Acidity regulator)

E509 Calcium chloride (Acidity regulator)

E510 Ammonium chloride, ammonia solution (Acidity regulator)

E511 Magnesium chloride (Acidity regulator)

E512 Stannous chloride (Acidity regulator)

E513 Sulphuric acid (Acidity regulator)

E514 Sodium sulphates (i) Sodium sulphate (ii) Sodium hydrogen sulphate (Acidity regulator)

E515 Potassium sulphates (i) Potassium sulphate (ii) Potassium hydrogen sulphate (Acidity regulator)

E516 Calcium sulphate (Acidity regulator)

E517 Ammonium sulphate (Acidity regulator)

E518 Magnesium sulphate, Epsom salts (Acidity regulator)

E519 Copper sulphate (Acidity regulator)

E520 Aluminum sulphate (Acidity regulator)

E521 Aluminum sodium sulphate (Acidity regulator)

E522 Aluminum potassium sulphate (Acidity regulator)

E523 Aluminum ammonium sulphate (Acidity regulator)

E524 Sodium hydroxide (Acidity regulator)

E525 Potassium hydroxide (Acidity regulator)

E526 Calcium hydroxide (Acidity regulator)

E527 Ammonium hydroxide (Acidity regulator)

E528 Magnesium hydroxide (Acidity regulator)

E529 Calcium oxide (Acidity regulator)

E530 Magnesium oxide (Acidity regulator)

E535 Sodium ferrocyanide (Acidity regulator) (Anti-caking agent)

E536 Potassium ferrocyanide (Acidity regulator)

E538 Calcium ferrocyanide (Acidity regulator)

E540 Dicalcium diphosphate

E541 Sodium aluminum phosphate, acidic (Emulsifier)

E542 Bone phosphate (Anti-caking agent) (animal origin)

E543 Calcium sodium polyphosphate

E544 Calcium polyphosphate

E545 Aluminum polyphosphate (Emulsifier)

E550 Sodium silicate

E551 Silicon dioxide (Silica) (Emulsifier) (Anti-caking agent)

E552 Calcium silicate (Anti-caking agent)

E553a (i) Magnesium silicate (ii) Magnesium trisilicate (Anti-caking agent)

E553b Talc (Anti-caking agent) *

E554 Sodium aluminum silicate (Anti-caking agent)

E555 Potassium aluminum silicate (Anti-caking agent)

E556 Calcium aluminum silicate (Anti-caking agent)

E558 Bentonite (Anti-caking agent)

E559 Aluminum silicate (Kaolin) (Anti-caking agent)

E570 Stearic acid (Fatty acid) (Anti-caking agent)

E572 Magnesium stearate, calcium stearate (Emulsifier) (Anti-caking agent)

E574 Gluconic acid

E575 Glucono-delta-lactone

E576 Sodium gluconate

E577 Potassium gluconate

E578 Calcium gluconate

E579 Ferrous gluconate

E585 Ferrous lactate

E620 Glutamic acid (Flavor enhancer)

E621 Monosodium glutamate (Flavor enhancer)

E622 Monopotassium glutamate (Flavor enhancer)

E623 Calcium diglutamate (Flavor enhancer)

E624 Monoammonium glutamate (Flavor enhancer)

E625 Magnesium diglutamate E 626 Guanylic acid (Flavor enhancer)

E626 Guanylsäure, Guanylate (Flavor enhancer)

E627 Disodium guanylate, sodium guanylate (Flavor enhancer)

E628 Dipotassium guanylate (Flavor enhancer)

E629 Calcium guanylate (Flavor enhancer)

E630 Inosinic acid (Flavor enhancer)

E631 Disodium inosinate (Flavor enhancer)

E632 Dipotassium inosinate (Flavor enhancer)

E633 Calcium inosinate (Flavor enhancer)

E634 Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides (Flavor enhancer)

E635 Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides (Flavor enhancer)

E636 Maltol (Flavor enhancer)

E637 Ethyl maltol (Flavor enhancer)

E640 Glycine and its sodium salt (Flavor enhancer)

E900 Dimethyl polysiloxane

E901 Beeswax, white and yellow *

E902 Candelilla wax

E903 Carnauba wax *

E904 Shellac

E905 Microcrystalline wax §

E907 Crystalline wax

E910 L-cysteine

E912 Montanic acid esters

E913 Lanolin, sheep wool grease

E914 Oxidized polyethylene wax

E915 Collophoniums - ester

E920 L-cysteine hydrochloride §

E921 L-cysteine

E924 Potassium bromate

E925 Chlorine (Preservative) (Bleach)

E926 Chlorine dioxide (Preservative) (Bleach)

E927b Carbamide

E928 Benzole peroxide

E938 Argon

E939 Helium

E941 Nitrogen

E942 Nitrous oxide

E948 Oxygen

E950 Acesulfame K (Sweetener)

E951 Aspartame (Sweetener)

E952 Cyclamic acid and its Na and Ca salts (Sweetener)

E953 Isomalt (Sweetener)

E954 Saccharin and its Na, K and Ca salts (Sweetener)

E957 Thaumatin (Sweetener)

E959 Neohesperidine DC (Sweetener)

E965 Maltitol (i) Maltitol (ii) Maltitol syrup (Sweetener) (Stabiliser) (Humectant)

E966 Lactitol (Sweetener)

E967 Xylitol (Sweetener)

E999 Quillaia extract

E1103 Invertase §

E1105 Lysozyme

E1200 Polydextrose

E1201 Polyvinylpyrrolidone

E1202 Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone

E1400 Dextrin

E1401 Modified starch

E1402 Alkaline modified starch

E1403 Bleached starch

E1404 Oxidized starch

E1410 Monostarch phosphate

E1412 Distarch phosphate

E1413 Phosphated distarch phosphate

E1414 Acetylated distarch phosphate

E1420 Acetylated starch, mono starch acetate

E1421 Acetylated starch, mono starch acetate

E1422 Acetylated distarch adipate

E1430 Di starch glycerine

E1440 Hydroxy propyl starch

E1441 Hydroxy propyl distarch glycerine

E1442 Hydroxy propyl distarch phosphate

E1450 Starch sodium octenyl succinate

E1451 Acetylated oxidised starch §

E1505 Triethyl citrate

E1510 Ethanon

E1517 Glyceryl triacetate (triacetin)

E1518 Glyceryl triacetate (triacetin)

E1520 Propylene glycol

* - Suspected of being capable of causing an allergic reaction.
§ - Note - this additive is provisional

Sulphites and sulphite sensitivity