E Number
E Number
E Number
E number
E numbers are number codes for food additives that have been assessed for use within the European Union (the "E" prefix stands for "Europe").[1] They are commonly found on food labels throughout the European Union.[2] Safety assessment and approval are the responsibility of the European Food Safety Authority.[3] The numbering scheme follows that of the International Numbering System (INS) as determined by the Codex Alimentarius committee[4] though only a subset of the INS additives are approved for use in the European Union. E numbers are also encountered on food labelling in other jurisdictions, including the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Australia, New Zealand and Israel. They are increasingly, though still rarely, found on North American packaging, especially in Canada on imported European products. In casual language in the UK and Ireland, "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 such as vitamin C (E300) or lycopene (E160d). Because vitamin C has an E number (actually several E numbers, 300-305, for different chemical forms of the vitamin), it is impossible to live on a diet without any substances that have E numbers. "Free of E numbers" then simply means that pure forms of the substances are not intentionally added, even though identical substances certainly exist naturally in many foods.
E number
2
300399 Antioxidants & acidity regulators 300305 306309 310319 320329 330339 340349 350359 360369 370399 400499 400409 Thickeners, stabilisers & emulsifiers 410419 420429 430439 440449 450459 460469 470489 490499 500599 500509 pH regulators & anti-caking agents 510519 520529 530549 550559 570579 580599 600699 Flavour enhancers 620629 630639 640649 700799 Antibiotics 900999 Miscellaneous 700713 ascorbates (vitamin C) Tocopherol (vitamin E) gallates & erythorbates lactates citrates & tartrates phosphates malates & adipates succinates & fumarates others alginates natural gums other natural agents polyoxyethene compounds natural emulsifiers phosphates cellulose compounds fatty acids & compounds others mineral acids & bases chlorides & sulphates sulphates & hydroxides alkali metal compounds silicates stearates & gluconates others glutamates inosinates others
waxes synthetic glazes improving agents packaging gases sweeteners foaming agents
NB: Not all examples of a class fall into the given numeric range. Moreover, many chemicals, particularly in the E400499 range, have a variety of purposes.
E number
Full list
E100E199 (colours)
Code E100 E101 Name(s) Curcumin, turmeric Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), formerly called lactoflavin Color Yellow-orange Yellow-orange Yellow-orange Lemon yellow Red-brown Dull or greenish yellow [5] Approved in the EU Undergoing a voluntary phase-out in the UK. Status Approved in the EU Approved in the EU Approved in the EU Approved in the EU [5] [5] [5] [5] Approved in the US. [6] Approved in the US. Approved in the US. [6] [6]
E101a Riboflavin-5'-Phosphate E102 E103 E104 Tartrazine (FD&C Yellow 5) Alkannin [7]
Quinoline Yellow WS
Fast Yellow AB Riboflavin-5-Sodium Phosphate Yellow 2G Sunset Yellow FCF (Orange Yellow S, FD&C Yellow 6)
Yellow Yellow Yellow Yellow-orange [5] Approved in the EU. Banned in Norway. Products in the EU require warnings and its use is being [6] phased-out. Approved in the US.
Orange GGN Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmine (Natural Red 4) Citrus Red 2
Orange Crimson Dark red Approved in the EU. [5] Approved in the US. [6]
Approved in the United States only for use in coloring [8] the skin of oranges. [5] Approved in the EU. Undergoing a voluntary phase-out in the UK. Currently banned in Canada, Japan, Norway, USA . EU currently evaluating health risks. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. [5] [5]
E122
Carmoisine, Azorubine
Red to maroon
Amaranth (FD&C Red 2) Ponceau 4R (Cochineal Red A, Brilliant Scarlet 4R) Ponceau SX, Scarlet GN Ponceau 6R Erythrosine (FD&C Red 3) Red 2G Allura Red AC (FD&C Red 40)
[5]
[6]
[5] Approved in the EU. Banned in Switzerland. Undergoing a voluntary phase out in the UK. [6] Approved in the US.
Indanthrene blue RS Patent Blue V Indigo carmine (indigotine, FD&C Blue 2) Brilliant Blue FCF (FD&C Blue 1)
Blue Dark blue Indigo Reddish blue Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. [5] [5] [5] Approved in the US. Approved in the US. [6] [6]
E number
[5]
4
Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins: (i) Chlorophylls (ii) Chlorophyllins Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins (i) Copper complexes of chlorophylls (ii) Copper complexes of chlorophyllins Green S Fast Green FCF (FD&C Green 3) Green
E140
E141
Green
[5]
[6]
E142 E143
Green Sea green Brown Brown Brown Brown Black Black Black Brown Brown Yellow-orange to brown Orange Red Bright to deep red Orange-red to yellow Orange-red to yellow Golden-yellow Orange-red to yellow Orange-red Orange-red Orange Purple Violet Orange-red Deep violet Red Red
[5]
E150a Plain caramel E150b Caustic sulphite caramel E150c Ammonia caramel E150d Sulphite ammonia caramel E151 E152 E153 E154 E155 Black PN, Brilliant Black BN Black 7984 food colouring Carbon black, Vegetable carbon Brown FK (kipper brown) Brown HT (chocolate brown HT)
Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
[6] [5]
Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU.
[5] [5] [5] [5] [5] [5] [5] [5] [5] Approved in the US. Approved in the US. Approved in the US. Approved in the US. [6] [6] [6] [6]
E160a Alpha-carotene, Beta-carotene, Gamma-carotene E160b Annatto, bixin, norbixin E160c Paprika oleoresin, Capsanthin, capsorubin 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 Cryptoxanthin E161d Rubixanthin E161e Violaxanthin E161f Rhodoxanthin E161g Canthaxanthin E161h Zeaxanthin E161i Citranaxanthin E161j Astaxanthin E162 E163 Beetroot Red, Betanin Anthocyanins
[5]
[5]
[6]
[5]
[6]
[5] pH dependent(Red, Approved in the EU. green and purple ranges) Orange-red[color?] Approved in the US. [6]
E164
Saffron
E number
[5] [5] [5] Approved in the US. [6]
5
Calcium carbonate, Chalk Titanium dioxide Iron oxides and iron hydroxides White White Brown
Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. [6] sausage casings. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU.
Aluminium Silver Gold Pigment Rubine, Lithol Rubine BK Tannin Orcein, Orchil
E200E299 (preservatives)
Code Name(s) E200 Sorbic acid Purpose preservative Status Approved in the [5] EU.
preservative preservative Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU.
preservative
preservative preservative Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU.
preservative
preservative
preservative
preservative
preservative
E216 Propylparaben (propyl para-hydroxybenzoate) E217 Sodium propyl para-hydroxybenzoate E218 Methylparaben (methyl para-hydroxybenzoate)
preservative preservative preservative Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU.
preservative
E number
6
preservative
Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU.
preservative
preservative
preservative
preservative
preservative preservative Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU.
firming agent
preservative
preservative
preservative
preservative
preservative preservative Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU.
preservative
E236 Formic acid E237 Sodium formate E238 Calcium formate E239 Hexamine (hexamethylene tetramine)
preservative preservative preservative preservative Approved in the [5] EU. Forbidden Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU.
preservative preservative
preservative
preservative
E number
7
preservative
Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU.
preservative
acidity regulator
acidity regulator
E262 Sodium acetates (i) Sodium acetate (ii) Sodium diacetate (sodium hydrogen acetate) E263 Calcium acetate (preservative)
E264 Ammonium acetate E265 Dehydroacetic acid E266 Sodium dehydroacetate E270 Lactic acid (preservative) (acid)
preservative preservative preservative antioxidant Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [5] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU.
preservative
preservative
preservative
preservative
preservative
preservative
acidity regulator
acidity regulator
acidity regulator
E number
antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant antioxidant emulsifier antioxidant antioxidant acidity regulator acidity regulator acidity regulator acidity regulator acidity regulator acid, acidity regulator Approved in the EU. [9] Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. [9] [9] [9] Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. [10] [10] [10] [11] Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. [10] [10] Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. [10] [10] [10] [10] [10] [10] [10]
E number
[9]
E331 Sodium citrates (i) Monosodium citrate (ii) Disodium acidity regulator citrate (iii) Sodium citrate (trisodium citrate) E332 Potassium citrates (i) Monopotassium citrate (ii) Potassium citrate (tripotassium citrate) E333 Calcium citrates (i) Monocalcium citrate (ii) Dicalcium citrate (iii) Calcium citrate (tricalcium citrate) E334 Tartaric acid (L(+)-) E335 Sodium tartrates (i) Monosodium tartrate (ii), Disodium tartrate E336 Potassium tartrates (i) Monopotassium tartrate (cream of tartar) (ii) Dipotassium tartrate E337 Sodium potassium tartrate E338 Orthophosphoric acid E339 Sodium phosphates (i) Monosodium phosphate (ii) Disodium phosphate (iii) Trisodium phosphate E340 Potassium phosphates (i) Monopotassium phosphate (ii) Dipotassium phosphate (iii) Tripotassium phosphate E341 Calcium phosphates (i) Monocalcium phosphate (ii) Dicalcium phosphate (iii) Tricalcium phosphate E342 Ammonium phosphates: (i) monoammonium phosphate (ii) diammonium phosphate E343 Magnesium phosphates (i) monomagnesium phosphate (ii) Dimagnesium phosphate anti-caking agent acidity regulator
[9]
[9]
[9] [9]
acidity regulator
[9]
antioxidant
[9]
[9]
[9] Approved in the EU. This additive is under discussion and may be included in a future amendment to the Directive on miscellaneous additives.
E344 Lecitin citrate E345 Magnesium citrate E349 Ammonium malate E350 Sodium malates (i) Sodium malate (ii) Sodium hydrogen malate E351 Potassium malate E352 Calcium malates (i) Calcium malate (ii) Calcium hydrogen malate E353 Metatartaric acid E354 Calcium tartrate E355 Adipic acid E356 Sodium adipate E357 Potassium adipate E359 Ammonium adipate E363 Succinic acid E365 Sodium fumarate
acidity regulator acidity regulator acidity regulator acidity regulator Approved in the EU. [9]
[9] [9]
emulsifier emulsifier acidity regulator acidity regulator acidity regulator acidity regulator acidity regulator acidity regulator
Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU.
[9]
E number
10
acidity regulator acidity regulator acidity regulator acidity regulator colour retention agent acidity regulator acidity regulator acidity regulator acidity regulator sequestrant Approved in the EU. [9] Approved in the EU. [9]
E366 Potassium fumarate E367 Calcium fumarate E368 Ammonium fumarate E370 1,4-Heptonolactone E375 Niacin (nicotinic acid), Nicotinamide E380 Triammonium citrate E381 Ammonium ferric citrate E383 Calcium glycerylphosphate E384 Isopropyl citrate E385 Calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate, (Calcium disodium EDTA) E386 Disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate (Disodium EDTA) E387 Oxystearin E388 Thiodipropionic acid E389 Dilauryl thiodipropionate E390 Distearyl thiodipropionate E391 Phytic acid E392 Extracts of rosemary E399 Calcium lactobionate
sequestrant
stabiliser
Approved in 2010
[12]
E407a Processed eucheuma seaweed (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) E408 E409 E410 E411 Bakers yeast glycan Arabinogalactan Locust bean gum (Carob gum) (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) Oat gum (thickener)
emulsifier stabiliser
[11]
E number
[11] [11] [11] [11] [11] [11] [11]
11
Guar gum (thickener) Tragacanth (thickener) (stabiliser) Acacia gum (gum arabic) (thickener) (stabiliser) Xanthan gum (thickener) Karaya gum (thickener) (stabiliser) Tara gum (thickener) Gellan gum (thickener) (stabiliser) Gum ghatti (thickener) (stabiliser) Sorbitol (i) Sorbitol (ii) Sorbitol syrup (emulsifier) (sweetener) Mannitol (anti-caking agent) Glycerol (emulsifier) Curdlan Konjac (i) Konjac gum (ii) Konjac glucomannane emulsifier [11] Approved in the EU. May not be used in confectionery owing to choking risk. Approved in the EU. Approved in 2010 [11] stabiliser emulsifier emulsifier stabiliser emulsifier stabiliser emulsifier emulsifier humectant sweetener sweetener Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. [13] [13] [9]
E412 E413 E414 E415 E416 E417 E418 E419 E420 E421 E422 E424 E425
Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU.
E426 E427 E429 E430 E431 E432 E433 E434 E435 E436 E440 E441
Soybean hemicellulose Cassia gum Peptones Polyoxyethene (8) stearate (emulsifier) Polyoxyethene (40) stearate Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (polysorbate 20) Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monooleate (polysorbate 80) Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate (polysorbate 40) Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monostearate (polysorbate 60) Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan tristearate (polysorbate 65) Pectins (i) pectin (ii) amidated pectin Gelatine (emulsifier) stabiliser emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier gelling agent emulsifier
[12]
Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU.
Ammonium phosphatides Brominated vegetable oil Sucrose acetate isobutyrate Glycerol esters of wood rosins Succistearin Diphosphates (i) Disodium diphosphate (ii) Trisodium diphosphate (iii) Tetrasodium diphosphate (iv) Dipotassium diphosphate (v) Tetrapotassium diphosphate (vi) Dicalcium diphosphate (vii) Calcium dihydrogen diphosphate
[11]
emulsifier emulsifier
[11] [11]
emulsifier
[9]
E number
[9]
12
Triphosphates (i) Sodium triphosphate (pentasodium triphosphate) (ii) Pentapotassium triphosphate Polyphosphates (i) Sodium polyphosphates (ii) Potassium polyphosphates (iii) Sodium calcium polyphosphate (iv) Calcium polyphosphates (v) Ammonium Polyphosphate Beta-cyclodextrin Cellulose (i) Microcrystalline cellulose (ii) Powdered cellulose Methyl cellulose Ethyl cellulose Hydroxypropyl cellulose Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, = hypromellose Ethyl methyl cellulose Carboxymethyl cellulose, Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose Ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose Crosslinked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Croscarmellose) emulsifier [11] Approved in the EU. This additive is under discussion and may be included in a future amendment to the Directive on miscellaneous additives Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. [11] [11] emulsifier
E451
E452
emulsifier
[9]
E459 E460 E461 E462 E463 E464 E465 E466 E467 E468
Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU.
E469
[11]
E471
[11]
E472a Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids E472b Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids E472c Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids E472d Tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU.
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 E472g Succinylated monoglycerides E473 E474 E475 E476 E477 E478 Sucrose esters of fatty acids Sucroglycerides Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids Polyglycerol polyricinoleate Propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acids, propylene glycol esters of fatty acids Lactylated fatty acid esters of glycerol and propane-1 emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier
Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU.
E number
[11]
13
emulsifier
E479b Thermally oxidized soya bean oil interacted with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids E480 E481 E482 E483 E484 E485 E486 E487 E488 E489 E490 E491 E492 E493 E494 E495 E496 E497 E498 Dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate Stearyl tartrate Stearyl citrate Sodium stearoyl fumarate Calcium stearoyl fumarate Sodium laurylsulphate Ethoxylated Mono- and Di-Glycerides Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester Propane-1,2-diol Sorbitan monostearate Sorbitan tristearate Sorbitan monolaurate Sorbitan monooleate Sorbitan monopalmitate Sorbitan trioleate Polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene polymers Partial polyglycerol esters of polycondensed fatty acids of castor oil
emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. [11] [11] [11]
Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU.
E501
acidity regulator
E503
acidity regulator
E504
E505 E507
E508
seasoning
E number
14
Calcium chloride (sequestrant) firming agent
E509
E510 E511
improving agent firming agent Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. improving agent Approved in the [9] EU.
E512
Stannous chloride
antioxidant
E513
Sulphuric acid
acid
E514
acid
E515
E516
Calcium sulphate
E517
Ammonium sulphate
Magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts), (acidity regulator) Copper(II) sulphate Aluminium sulphate
firming agent preservative firming agent Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU.
E521
firming agent
E522
acidity regulator
E523
acidity regulator
E524
Sodium hydroxide
acidity regulator
E525
Potassium hydroxide
acidity regulator
E526
firming agent
E527
Ammonium hydroxide
acidity regulator
E528
Magnesium hydroxide
acidity regulator
E529
improving agent
E530
anti-caking agent
E number
15
Sodium ferrocyanide (acidity regulator) anti-caking agent
E535
E536
Potassium ferrocyanide
anti-caking agent
E537 E538
Sodium thiosulphate Dicalcium diphosphate (acidity regulator) Sodium aluminium phosphate (i) Acidic (ii) Basic
Bone phosphate (Essentiale Calcium Phosphate, Tribasic) Calcium sodium polyphosphate Calcium polyphosphate Ammonium polyphosphate Sodium Silicates (i) Sodium silicate (ii) Sodium metasilicate Silicon dioxide (Silica)
anti-caking agent emulsifier emulsifier emulsifier anti-caking agent anti-caking agent Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU.
E552
Calcium silicate
anti-caking agent
anti-caking agent
E553b Talc
anti-caking agent
E554
anti-caking agent
E555
anti-caking agent
E556
anti-caking agent
E557 E558
anti-caking agent anti-caking agent Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU.
E559
anti-caking agent
anti-caking agent
E number
16
Natrolite-phonolite Stearic acid (Fatty acid) anti-caking agent Approved in the [9] EU.
E566 E570
E572 E574
anti-caking agent acidity regulator Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU.
E575
sequestrant
E576
Sodium gluconate
sequestrant
E577
Potassium gluconate
sequestrant
E578
Calcium gluconate
firming agent
E579
Ferrous gluconate
food colouring
E580 E585
Magnesium gluconate Ferrous lactate food colouring Approved in the [9] EU.
antioxidant
E number
[9] [9] [9] [9]
17
Dipotassium inosinate Calcium inosinate Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides Maltol Ethyl maltol Glycine and its sodium salt L-leucine Lysine hydrochloride Zinc acetate flavour enhancer flavour enhancer flavour enhancer flavour enhancer flavour enhancer flavour enhancer flavour enhancer flavour enhancer flavour enhancer flavour enhancer Approved in the EU. [9] Approved in the EU. [9]
E632 E633 E634 E635 E636 E637 E640 E641 E642 E650
Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU.
E700E799 (antibiotics)
Code E700 E701 E702 E703 E704 E705 E706 E707 E708 E710 E711 E712 E713 E714 E715 E716 E717 Name(s) Bacitracin Tetracyclines Chlortetracycline Oxytetracycline Oleandomycin Penicillin-G-potassium Penicillin-G-sodium Penicillin-G-procaine Penicillin-G-benzathyne Spiramycins Virginiamicins Flavophospholipol Tylosin Monensin Avoparcin Salinomycin Avilamycin Purpose Status
E900E999 (miscellaneous)
E number
18
Name(s) Dimethyl polysiloxane (anti-foaming agent) Beeswax , white and yellow Candelilla wax Carnauba wax Shellac Paraffins
Purpose anti-caking agent glazing agent glazing agent glazing agent glazing agent
Status Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. [9] [9] [9] [9] [9] [9]
E905a Mineral oil E905b Petrolatum E905c Petroleum wax (i)Microcrystalline wax (ii) Paraffin wax E906 E907 E908 E909 E910 E911 E912 E913 E914 E915 E916 E917 E918 E919 E920 E921 E922 E923 E924 Gum benzoic Crystalline wax Rice bran wax Spermaceti wax Wax esters Methyl esters of fatty acids Montan acid esters Lanolin, sheep wool grease Oxidized polyethylene wax Esters of colophony Calcium iodate Potassium iodate Nitrogen oxides Nitrosyl chloride L-cysteine L-cystine Potassium persulphate Ammonium persulphate Potassium bromate
anti-foaming agent
glazing agent flavour enhancer glazing agent glazing agent glazing agent glazing agent glazing agent glazing agent glazing agent glazing agent glazing agent Approved in the EU. [9] Approved in the EU. [9]
improving agent improving agent improving agent improving agent improving agent improving agent preservative, bleach, improving agent bleach improving agent improving agent bleach
[9]
E926
E927a Azodicarbonamide E927b Carbamide (urea) E928 E929 Benzoyl peroxide (improving agent) Acetone peroxide
[9]
E number
19
Calcium peroxide (improving agent) Argon Helium Dichlorodifluoromethane Nitrogen (packaging gas) Nitrous oxide bleach packaging gas packaging gas packaging gas propellant propellant propellant propellant propellant propellant propellant packaging gas packaging gas sweetener Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the [13] EU. Approved in the [13] EU. Approved in the [13] EU. Approved in the [13] EU. Approved in the [13] EU. Approved in the [13] EU. [9] [9] Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Rarely used Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. Approved in the EU. [9] [9] [9] [9] [9] [9] [9]
E943a Butane E943b Isobutane E944 E945 E946 E948 E949 E950 Propane Chloropentafluoroethane Octafluorocyclobutane Oxygen Hydrogen Acesulfame potassium
E951
Aspartame
sweetener
E952
Cyclamic acid and its sodium and calcium salts, also known as Cyclamate Isomalt, Isomaltitol
sweetener
E953
sweetener
E954
sweetener
E955
Sucralose (Trichlorogalactosucrose)
sweetener
E956 E957
E958 E959
sweetener sweetener stabiliser Approved in 2010 Approved in the [13] EU. Approved in the [13] EU. [12]
E965
humectant
E number
20
Lactitol sweetener
E966
Approved in the [13] EU. Approved in the [13] EU. Approved in the [13] EU. Approved in the EU. [9]
E967
Xylitol
sweetener
E968
Erythritol
humectant
E999
Quillaia extract
foaming agent
E1000 Cholic acid E1001 Choline salts E1100 Amylase E1101 Proteases ((i)Protease, (ii)Papain, (iii)Bromelain, (iv)Ficin) E1102 Glucose oxidase E1103 Invertase
E1104 Lipases E1105 Lysozyme E1200 Polydextrose preservative stabiliser, thickening agent, humectant, carrier stabiliser Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in [12] 2010 Approved in the [9] EU. thickening agent thickening agent thickening agent thickening agent thickening agent Approved in the [9] EU.
E1201 Polyvinylpyrrolidone
stabiliser
E1204 Pullulan
E1400 Dextrin (Dextrins, roasted starch white and yellow) (stabiliser) E1401 Modified starch ((Acid-treated starch) stabiliser) E1402 Alkaline modified starch (stabiliser) E1403 Bleached starch (stabiliser) E1404 Oxidized starch (emulsifier)
E1405 Enzyme treated starch E1410 Monostarch phosphate (stabiliser) thickening agent Approved in the [9] EU.
emulsifier
E number
21
thickening agent
E1412 Distarch phosphate esterified with sodium trimetasphosphate; esterified with phosphorus oxychloride (stabiliser) E1413 Phosphated distarch phosphate (stabiliser)
Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU.
thickening agent
thickening agent
thickening agent
E1421 Starch acetate esterified with vinyl acetate (stabiliser) E1422 Acetylated Distarch Adipate (stabiliser)
E1423 Acetylated distarch glycerol E1430 Distarch glycerine (stabiliser) E1440 Hydroxy propyl starch (emulsifier)
thickening agent thickening agent thickening agent Approved in the [9] EU.
E1441 Hydroxy propyl distarch glycerine (stabiliser) E1442 Hydroxy propyl distarch phosphate (stabiliser)
E1443 Hydroxy propyl distarch glycerol E1450 Starch sodium octenyl succinate (emulsifier) (stabiliser) thickening agent Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in the [9] EU.
thickening agent
E1501 Benzylated hydrocarbons E1502 Butane-1, 3-diol E1503 Castor oil E1504 Ethyl acetate E1505 Triethyl citrate resolving agent flavour solvent foam stabiliser Approved in the [9] EU.
E1510 Ethanol E1516 Glyceryl monoacetate E1517 Glyceryl diacetate or diacetin E1518 Glyceryl triacetate or triacetin flavour solvent flavour solvent humectant Approved in the [9] EU.
E1519 Benzyl alcohol E1520 Propylene glycol humectant Approved in the [9] EU. Approved in [12] 2010
E number
22
thickening agent
Notes
[1] UK Food Standards Agency (http:/ / www. eatwell. gov. uk/ foodlabels/ understandingenumbers/ ) [2] European Directive 95/2/EC on food additives other than colours and sweeteners (http:/ / eur-lex. europa. eu/ LexUriServ/ LexUriServ. do?uri=CONSLEG:1995L0002:20060815:EN:PDF) [3] Food Additives and Ingredients Association (http:/ / www. faia. org. uk/ faq2_4. php), no date, Frequently Asked Questions, accessed 6 March 2010 [4] Codex Alimentarius. "Noms de Categorie et Systeme International de Numerotation des Additifs Alimentaires" (http:/ / www. codexalimentarius. net/ download/ standards/ 7/ cxg_036f. pdf). . Retrieved 2 April 2009. [5] Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers (http:/ / www. food. gov. uk/ safereating/ chemsafe/ additivesbranch/ enumberlist), Food Standards Agency, 26 November 2010 [6] Summary of Color Additives for Use in United States in Foods, Drugs, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices (http:/ / www. fda. gov/ ForIndustry/ ColorAdditives/ ColorAdditiveInventories/ ucm115641. htm), United States Food and Drug Administration [7] Additives (http:/ / www. foodstandards. gov. au/ _srcfiles/ Additives alpha. pdf), Food Standards Australia New Zealand [8] Code of Federal regulations Title 21 Part 74.302 (21 CFR 74.302) [9] Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers (http:/ / www. food. gov. uk/ safereating/ chemsafe/ additivesbranch/ enumberlist#h_7), Food Standards Agency, 26 November 2010 [10] Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers (http:/ / www. food. gov. uk/ safereating/ chemsafe/ additivesbranch/ enumberlist#h_4), Food Standards Agency, 26 November 2010 [11] Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers (http:/ / www. food. gov. uk/ safereating/ chemsafe/ additivesbranch/ enumberlist#h_6), Food Standards Agency, 26 November 2010 [12] New additives approved for use (http:/ / www. food. gov. uk/ news/ newsarchive/ 2010/ nov/ additives), Food Standards Agency, Friday 26 November 2010 [13] Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers (http:/ / www. food. gov. uk/ safereating/ chemsafe/ additivesbranch/ enumberlist#h_5), Food Standards Agency, 26 November 2010 [14] New Zealand Food Safety Authority. "Identifying Food Additives" (http:/ / www. foodsmart. govt. nz/ elibrary/ food-additives. pdf). . Retrieved 16 January 2010.
External links
Codex Alimentarius (http://www.codexalimentarius.net/gsfaonline/CXS_192e.pdf) E-codes and ingredients search engine with details/suggestions for Muslims (http://www.guidedways.com/ halalfoodguide.php) Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers (http://www.food.gov.uk/safereating/chemsafe/ additivesbranch/enumberlist) Food Additives in the European Union (http://www.foodlaw.rdg.ac.uk/additive.htm)
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License
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