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E numbers are number codes for food additives and are usually found on food labels throughout the European Union.[1][citation needed] The numbering scheme follows that of the International Numbering System (INS) as determined by the Codex Alimentarius committee.[2] Only a subset of the INS additives are approved for use in the European Union, the 'E' prefix which stands for Europe. In casual language in the UK and Ireland, the term "E-number" is used as a pejorative term for artificial food additives, and products may promote themselves as "free of E-numbers" even though most of the (natural) ingredients contain components that also have an E-number (e.g. Vitamin C (E300) or lycopene (E160d), the colour in tomatoes). To have a diet without any components that also have an E-number is basically impossible. Free of E-numbers thus refers mainly to the use of additives, not to the absence of components with an E-number.
E numbers are also encountered on food labelling in other jurisdictions, including the GCC, Australia, New Zealand and Israel. The "E" prefix is omitted in Australia and New Zealand. They are increasingly (though still rarely) found on North American packaging, especially in Canada.
Classification by numeric range
| 100–199 Colours |
100–109 | yellows |
|---|---|---|
| 110–119 | oranges | |
| 120–129 | reds | |
| 130–139 | blues & violets | |
| 140–149 | greens | |
| 150–159 | browns & blacks | |
| 160–199 | others | |
| 200–299 Preservatives |
200–209 | sorbates |
| 210–219 | benzoates | |
| 220–229 | sulphites | |
| 230–239 | phenols & formates (methanoates) | |
| 240–259 | nitrates | |
| 260–269 | acetates (ethanoates) | |
| 270–279 | lactates | |
| 280–289 | propionates (propanoates) | |
| 290–299 | others | |
| 300–399 Antioxidants & acidity regulators |
300–305 | ascorbates (vitamin C) |
| 306–309 | Tocopherol (vitamin E) | |
| 310–319 | gallates & erythorbates | |
| 320–329 | lactates | |
| 330–339 | citrates & tartrates | |
| 340–349 | phosphates | |
| 350–359 | malates & adipates | |
| 360–369 | succinates & fumarates | |
| 370–399 | others | |
| 400–499 Thickeners, stabilisers & emulsifiers |
400–409 | alginates |
| 410–419 | natural gums | |
| 420–429 | other natural agents | |
| 430–439 | polyoxyethene compounds | |
| 440–449 | natural emulsifiers | |
| 450–459 | phosphates | |
| 460–469 | cellulose compounds | |
| 470–489 | fatty acids & compounds | |
| 490–499 | others | |
| 500–599 pH regulators & anti-caking agents |
500–509 | mineral acids & bases |
| 510–519 | chlorides & sulphates | |
| 520–529 | sulphates & hydroxides | |
| 530–549 | alkali metal compounds | |
| 550–559 | silicates | |
| 570–579 | stearates & gluconates | |
| 580–599 | others | |
| 600–699 Flavour enhancers |
620–629 | glutamates |
| 630–639 | inosinates | |
| 640–649 | others | |
| 700–799 Antibiotics |
710–713 | |
| 900–999 Miscellaneous |
900–909 | waxes |
| 910–919 | synthetic glazes | |
| 920–929 | improving agents | |
| 930–949 | packaging gases | |
| 950–969 | sweeteners | |
| 990–999 | foaming agents | |
| 1100–1599 Additional chemicals |
New chemicals that do not fall into standard classification schemes | |
NB: Not all examples of a class fall into the given numeric range. Moreover, many chemicals, particularly in the E400–499 range, have a variety of purposes.
Full list
Each additional has its status:
- permitted additionals are labeled with N/A;
- forbidden additionals were proven to cause diseases beyond any doubt;
- unpermitted additionals are those for which conclusive test data is not yet available either due to ongoing tests or no testing;
- dangerous additionals may be dangerous for people with chronic diseases.
E100–E199 (colours)
| Code | Name | Purpose | Status |
| E100 | Curcumin, turmeric | food colouring(Yellow-Orange) | N/A |
| E101 | Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), formerly called lactoflavin (Vitamin G) | food colouring(Yellow-Orange) | N/A |
| E101a | Riboflavin-5'-Phosphate | food colouring(Yellow-Orange)citation needed | N/A |
| E102 | Tartrazine (FD&C Yellow 5) | food colouring(lemon yellow) | Unpermitted in the EU |
| E103 | Chrysoine resorcinol | food colouring(golden) | Forbidden |
| E104 | Quinoline Yellow WS | food colouring(dull or greenish yellow) | Undergoing a voluntary phase out in the UK. |
| E105 | Fast Yellow AB | food colouring(colour?)citation needed | N/A |
| E106 | Riboflavin-5-Sodium Phosphate | food colouring(colour?)citation needed | N/A |
| E107 | Yellow 2G | food colouring(yellow) | N/A |
| E110 | Sunset Yellow FCF (Orange Yellow S, FD&C Yellow 6) | food colouring(colour?)citation needed | Banned in Finland, Norway & the UK (voluntarily). Products in the EU require warnings and is evaluating a phase out. |
| E111 | Orange GGN | food colouring(colour?)citation needed | N/A |
| E120 | Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines, Natural Red 4 | food colouring(crimson)citation needed | N/A |
| E121 | Citrus Red 2 | food colouring(dark red) | Forbidden |
| E122 | Carmoisine, Azorubine | food colouring(red to maroon)citation needed | Undergoing a voluntary phase out in the UK, currently banned in Canada, Japan, Norway, USA & Sweden. EU currently evaluating health risks. |
| E123 | Amaranth (FD&C Red 2) | food colouring(dark red) | Forbidden |
| E124 | Ponceau 4R (Cochineal Red A, Brilliant Scarlet 4R) | food colouring(colour?)citation needed | Unpermitted in the United States, Norway & Finland. Undergoing a voluntary phase out in the UK. |
| E125 | Ponceau SX, Scarlet GN | food colouring(red)citation needed | N/A |
| E126 | Ponceau 6R | food colouring(red)citation needed | N/A |
| E127 | Erythrosine (FD&C Red 3) | food colouring(colour?)citation needed | Unpermitted |
| E128 | Red 2G | food colouring(red)citation needed | Forbidden |
| E129 | Allura Red AC (FD&C Red 40) | food colouring(red)citation needed | Banned in Denmark, Belgium, France, Switzerland & Sweden. Undergoing a voluntary phase out in the UK. Permitted in the US and by the EU (whilst preserving individual country bans). |
| E130 | Indanthrene blue RS | food colouring(blue)citation needed | N/A |
| E131 | Patent Blue V | food colouring(dark blue) | Dangerous |
| E132 | Indigo carmine, FD&C Blue 2 | food colouring(indigo) | Dangerous[citation needed] |
| E133 | Brilliant Blue FCF (FD&C Blue 1) | food colouring(reddish blue) | N/A |
| E140 | Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins: (i) Chlorophylls (ii) Chlorophyllins | food colouring(green) | N/A |
| E141 | Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins (i) Copper complexes of chlorophylls (ii) Copper complexes of chlorophyllins | food colouring(colour?)citation needed | N/A |
| E142 | Green S | food colouring(colour?)citation needed | Unpermitted in the EU |
| E143 | Fast Green FCF (FD&C Green 3) | food colouring(sea green) | N/A |
| E150a | Plain caramel | food colouring | N/A |
| E150b | Caustic sulfite caramel | food colouring | N/A |
| E150c | Ammonia caramel | food colouring | N/A |
| E150d | Sulphite ammonia caramel | food colouring | N/A |
| E151 | Black PN, Brilliant Black BN | food colouring | N/A |
| E152 | Black 7984 | food colouring | N/A |
| E153 | Carbon black, Vegetable carbon | food colouring | N/A |
| E154 | Brown FK, Kipper Brown | food colouring | Unpermitted |
| E155 | Brown HT, Chocolate brown HT | food colouring | N/A |
| E160a | Alpha-carotene, Beta-carotene, Gamma-carotene | food colouring | N/A |
| E160b | Annatto, bixin, norbixin | food colouring | Dangerous[citation needed] |
| E160c | Paprika extract, Capsanthin, capsorubin | food colouring | N/A |
| E160d | Lycopene | food colouring | N/A |
| E160e | Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (C 30) | food colouring | N/A |
| E160f | Ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenic acid (C 30) | food colouring | N/A |
| E161a | Flavoxanthin | food colouring | N/A |
| E161b | Lutein | food colouring | N/A |
| E161c | Cryptoxanthin | food colouring | N/A |
| E161d | Rubixanthin | food colouring | N/A |
| E161e | Violaxanthin | food colouring | N/A |
| E161f | Rhodoxanthin | food colouring | N/A |
| E161g | Canthaxanthin | food colouring | N/A |
| E161h | Zeaxanthin | food colouring | N/A |
| E161i | Citranaxanthin | food colouring | N/A |
| E161j | Astaxanthin | food colouring | N/A |
| E162 | Beetroot Red, Betanin | food colouring | N/A |
| E163 | Anthocyanins | food colouring | N/A |
| E170 | Calcium carbonate, Chalk | food colouring | N/A |
| E171 | Titanium dioxide | food colouring(pure white) | N/A |
| E172 | Iron oxides and hydroxides | food colouring | N/A |
| E173 | Aluminium | food colouring | Unpermitted |
| E174 | Silver | food colouring | N/A |
| E175 | Gold | food colouring | N/A |
| E180 | Pigment Rubine, Lithol Rubine BK | food colouring | Unpermitted |
| E181 | Tannin | food colouring | N/A |
| E182 | Orcein, Orchil | food colouring | N/A |
E200–E299 (preservatives)
E300–E399 (antioxidants, acidity regulators)
E400–E499 (thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers)
| Code | Name | Purpose | Status |
| E400 | Alginic acid (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E401 | Sodium alginate (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E402 | Potassium alginate (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E403 | Ammonium alginate (thickener) (stabiliser) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E404 | Calcium alginate (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E405 | Propane-1,2-diol alginate (Propylene glycol alginate) (thickener) (stabiliser) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E406 | Agar (thickener) (gelling agent) | stabiliser | N/A |
| E407 | Carrageenan (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E407a | Processed eucheuma seaweed (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E408 | Bakers yeast glycan | N/A | |
| E409 | Arabinogalactan | N/A | |
| E410 | Locust bean gum (Carob gum) (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E411 | Oat gum (thickener) | stabiliser | N/A |
| E412 | Guar gum (thickener) | stabiliser | N/A |
| E413 | Tragacanth (thickener) (stabiliser) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E414 | Acacia gum (gum arabic) (thickener) (stabiliser) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E415 | Xanthan gum (thickener) | stabiliser | N/A |
| E416 | Karaya gum (thickener) (stabiliser) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E417 | Tara gum (thickener) | stabiliser | N/A |
| E418 | Gellan gum (thickener) (stabiliser) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E419 | Gum ghatti (thickener) (stabiliser) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E420 | Sorbitol (i) Sorbitol (ii) Sorbitol syrup (emulsifier) (sweetener) | humectant | N/A |
| E421 | Mannitol (anti-caking agent) | sweetener | N/A |
| E422 | Glycerol (emulsifier) | sweetener | N/A |
| E424 | Curdlan | Unpermitted | |
| E425 | Konjac (i) Konjac gum (ii) Konjac glucomannane | emulsifier | Unpermitted in the EU |
| E426 | Soybean hemicellulose | ||
| E429 | Peptones | N/A | |
| E430 | Polyoxyethene (8) stearate (emulsifier) | stabiliser | N/A |
| E431 | Polyoxyethene (40) stearate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E432 | Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (polysorbate 20) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E433 | Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monooleate (polysorbate 80) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E434 | Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate (polysorbate 40) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E435 | Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monostearate (polysorbate 60) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E436 | Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan tristearate (polysorbate 65) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E440 | Pectins (i) pectin (ii) amidated pectin | emulsifier | N/A |
| E441 | Gelatine (emulsifier) | gelling agent | N/A |
| E442 | Ammonium phosphatides | emulsifier | N/A |
| E443 | Brominated vegetable oil | N/A | |
| E444 | Sucrose acetate isobutyrate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E445 | Glycerol esters of wood rosins | emulsifier | N/A |
| E446 | Succistearin | N/A | |
| 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 | N/A |
| E451 | Triphosphates (i) Sodium tripolyphosphate (pentasodium triphosphate) (ii) Pentapotassium triphosphate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E452 | Polyphosphates (i) Sodium polyphosphates (ii) Potassium polyphosphates (iii) Sodium calcium polyphosphate (iv) Calcium polyphosphates (v) Ammonium Polyphosphate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E459 | Beta-cyclodextrine | emulsifier | N/A |
| E460 | Cellulose (i) Microcrystalline cellulose (ii) Powdered cellulose | emulsifier | N/A |
| E461 | Methyl cellulose | emulsifier | N/A |
| E462 | Ethyl cellulose | emulsifier | N/A |
| E463 | Hydroxypropyl cellulose | emulsifier | N/A |
| E464 | Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, = hypromellose | emulsifier | N/A |
| E465 | Ethyl methyl cellulose | emulsifier | N/A |
| E466 | Carboxymethyl cellulose, Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose | emulsifier | N/A |
| E467 | Ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose | N/A | |
| E468 | Crosslinked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Croscarmellose) | emulsifier | This additive is under discussion and may be included in a future amendment to the Directive on miscellaneous additives |
| E469 | Enzymically hydrolysed carboxymethylcellulose | emulsifier | N/A |
| E470 | Salts of fatty acids with base Al, Ca, Na, Mg, K and NH4 | N/A | |
| E470a | Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids (emulsifier) | anti-caking agent | N/A |
| E470b | Magnesium salts of fatty acids (emulsifier) | anti-caking agent | N/A |
| E471 | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl distearate) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E472a | Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | emulsifier | N/A |
| E472b | Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | emulsifier | N/A |
| E472c | Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | emulsifier | N/A |
| E472d | Tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | emulsifier | N/A |
| E472e | Mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | emulsifier | N/A |
| E472f | Mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | emulsifier | N/A |
| E472g | Succinylated monoglycerides | emulsifier | N/A |
| E473 | Sucrose esters of fatty acids | emulsifier | N/A |
| E474 | Sucroglycerides | emulsifier | N/A |
| E475 | Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids | emulsifier | N/A |
| E476 | Polyglycerol polyricinoleate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E477 | Propane-1, 2-diol esters of fatty acids, propylene glycol esters of fatty acids | emulsifier | N/A |
| E478 | Lactylated fatty acid esters of glycerol and propane-1 | emulsifier | N/A |
| E479b | Thermally oxidized soya bean oil interacted with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | emulsifier | N/A |
| E480 | Dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E481 | Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E482 | Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E483 | Stearyl tartrate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E484 | Stearyl citrate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E485 | Sodium Stearoyl Fumarate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E486 | Calcium Stearoyl Fumarate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E487 | Sodium laurylsulphate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E488 | Ethoxylated Mono- and Di-Glycerides | emulsifier | N/A |
| E489 | Methyl Glucoside - Coconut Oil Ester | emulsifier | N/A |
| E490 | Propane-1,2-diol | N/A | |
| E491 | Sorbitan monostearate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E492 | Sorbitan tristearate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E493 | Sorbitan monolaurate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E494 | Sorbitan monooleate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E495 | Sorbitan monopalmitate | emulsifier | N/A |
| E496 | Sorbitan trioleat | emulsifier | N/A |
| E497 | Polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene polymers | N/A | |
| E498 | Partial polyglycerol esters of polycondensed fatty acids of castor oil | N/A | |
| E499 | Cassia gum | N/A |
E500–E599 (acidity regulators, anti-caking agents)
E600–E699 (flavour enhancers)
E700–E799 (antibiotics)
| Code | Name | Purpose | Status |
| E700 | Bacitracin | ||
| E701 | Tetracyclines | N/A | |
| E710 | Spiramycins | N/A | |
| E711 | Virginiamicins | N/A | |
| E712 | Flavophospholipol | ||
| E713 | Tylosin | N/A | |
| E714 | Monensin | ||
| E715 | Avoparcin | ||
| E716 | Salinomycin | ||
| E717 | Avilamycin |
E900–E999 (miscellaneous)
E1000–E1999 (additional chemicals)
| Code | Name | Purpose | Status |
| E1000 | Cholic acid | emulsifier | N/A |
| E1001 | Choline salts | emulsifier | N/A |
| E1100 | Amylase | stabiliser, flavour enhancer | N/A |
| E1101 | Proteases ((i)Protease, (ii)Papain, (iii)Bromelain, (iv)Ficin) | stabiliser, flavour enhancer | N/A |
| E1102 | Glucose oxidase | antioxidant | N/A |
| E1103 | Invertase | stabiliser | N/A |
| E1104 | Lipases | N/A | |
| E1105 | Lysozyme | preservative | N/A |
| E1200 | Polydextrose | stabiliser, thickening agent, humectant, carrier | N/A |
| E1201 | Polyvinylpyrrolidone | stabiliser | N/A |
| E1202 | Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (carrier) | stabiliser | N/A |
| E1203 | Polyvinyl alcohol | N/A | |
| E1204 | Pullulan | N/A | |
| E1400 | Dextrin (Dextrins, roasted starch white and yellow) (stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1401 | Modified starch ((Acid-treated starch) stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1402 | Alkaline modified starch (stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1403 | Bleached starch (stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1404 | Oxidized starch (emulsifier) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1405 | Enzyme treated starch | N/A | |
| E1410 | Monostarch phosphate (stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1411 | Distarch glycerol (thickening agent) | emulsifier | N/A |
| E1412 | Distarch phosphate esterified with sodium trimetasphosphate; esterified with phosphorus oxychloride (stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1413 | Phosphated distarch phosphate (stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1414 | Acetylated distarch phosphate (emulsifier) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1420 | Starch acetate esterified with acetic anhydride (stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1421 | Starch acetate esterified with vinyl acetate (stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1422 | Acetylated Distarch Adipate (stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1423 | Acetylated distarch glycerol | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1430 | Distarch glycerine (stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1440 | Hydroxy propyl starch (emulsifier) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1441 | Hydroxy propyl distarch glycerine (stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1442 | Hydroxy propyl distarch phosphate (stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1443 | Hydroxy propyl distarch glycerol | N/A | |
| E1450 | Starch sodium octenyl succinate (emulsifier) (stabiliser) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1451 | Acetylated oxidised starch (emulsifier) | thickening agent | N/A |
| E1501 | Benzylated hydrocarbons | N/A | |
| E1502 | Butane-1, 3-diol | N/A | |
| E1503 | Castor oil | resolving agent | N/A |
| E1504 | Ethyl acetate | flavour solvent | N/A |
| E1505 | Triethyl citrate | foam stabiliser | N/A |
| E1510 | Ethanol | N/A | |
| E1516 | Glyceryl monoacetate | flavour solvent | N/A |
| E1517 | Glyceryl diacetate or diacetin | flavour solvent | N/A |
| E1518 | Glyceryl triacetate or triacetin | humectant | N/A |
| E1519 | Benzyl alcohol | N/A | |
| E1520 | Propylene glycol | humectant | N/A |
| E1521 | Polyethylene glycerol | N/A | |
| E1525 | Hydroxyethyl cellulose | thickening agent | N/A |
Notes
2. Codex Alimentarius - http://www.codexalimentarius.net/gsfaonline/CXS_192e.pdf 1 June 2009
See also
External links
- E-codes and ingredients search engine with details/suggestions for Muslims
- Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers
- Food Additives in the European Union
- Halal Status for E-Numbers
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