Food Additives - E

Food Codes

Guide to food additives - E-Numbers

What they are and what they do. Additives without the E-Prefix

It is extremely wise to avoid eating food with harmful food additives - E Numbers in them. Not all E Numbers are bad for you. The following list is based on information from the Ministries of Health of the United States, France, UK, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Russia & Italy.

E-Number	Name	Category	Side Effects
E100	Curcumin	Colour - Yellow and Orange	Safe
E101	Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)	Colour - Yellow and Orange	Safe
E102	Tartrazine	Colour - Yellow and Orange	Forbidden in some parts of the western world! May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Asthmatics sometimes react badly. Take care if you are sensitive to Aspirin.
E103	alkanet, alkannin	Colour - Yellow and Orange	Forbidden in some parts of the western world! May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Asthmatics sometimes react badly. Take care if you are sensitive to Aspirin.
E104	Quinoline Yellow	Colour - Yellow and Orange	May increase hyperactivity in affected children.
E110	Sunset Yellow FCF / Orange Yellow S	Colour - Yellow and Orange	May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Take care if you are sensitive to Aspirin.
E120	Cochineal / Carminic Acid	Colour - Red	Same as E104
E122	Carmoisine / Azorubine	Colour - Red	May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Asthmatics sometimes react badly. Take care if you are sensitive to Aspirin.
E123	Amaranth	Colour - Red	Very Dangerous May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Take care if you are sensitive to Aspirin.
E124	Ponceau 4R / Cochineal Red A	Colour - Red	May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Asthmatics sometimes react badly. Take care if you are sensitive to Aspirin.
E127	Erythrosine BS	Colour - Red	Same as E104
E131	Patent Blue V	Colour - Blue	May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Asthmatics sometimes react badly. Take care if you are sensitive to Aspirin. Be cautious if you suffer from allergies or intolerances.
E132	Indigo Carmine / Idigotine	Colour - Blue	Same as E131
E140	Chlorophyll	Colour - Green	Safe
E141	Copper Complex of Chlorophyll	Colour - Green	Suspicious
E142	Green S / Acid Brilliant Green BS	Colour - Green	Cancer
E150	Caramel	Colour - Brown and Black	Suspicious
E151	Black PN / Brilliant Black BN	Colour - Brown and Black	Same as E104
E153	Carbon Black / Vegetable Carbon (Charcoal)	Colour - Brown and Black	May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Be cautious if you suffer from allergies or intolerances.
E160a	Alpha, Beta, Gamma Carotene	Colour - Carotene derivative	Safe
E160b	Annatto, Bixin, Norbixin	Colour - Carotene derivative
E160c	Capsanthin / Capsorbin	Colour - Carotene derivative
E160d	Lycopene	Colour - Carotene derivative
E160e	Beta-apo-8-carotenal	Colour - Carotene derivative
E160f	Ethyl ester of Beta-apo-8-cartonoic acid	Colour - Carotene derivative
E161a	Flavoxanthin	Colour - Plant	Safe ??
E161b	Lutein	Colour - Plant
E161c	Cryptoxanthin	Colour - Plant
E161d	Rubixanthin	Colour - Plant
E161e	Violaxanthin	Colour - Plant
E161f	Rhodoxanthin	Colour - Plant
E161g	Canthaxanthin	Colour - Plant
E162	Beetroot Red / Betanin	Colour - Plant
E163	Anthocyanins	Colour - Plant
E170	Calcium Carbonate (Chalk)	Colour - Inorganic	Safe
E171	Titanium Dioxide	Colour - Inorganic
E172	Iron Oxides and Hydroxides	Colour - Inorganic
E173	Aluminium	Colour - Inorganic
E174	Silver	Colour - Inorganic
E175	Gold	Colour - Inorganic	Safe ??
E180	Pigment Rubine / Lithol Rubine BK	Colour - Inorganic
PRESERVATIVES

E200	Sorbic Acid	Preservative - Sorbic Acid and its salts	Headaches Intestine Upset
E201	Sodium Sorbate	Preservative - Sorbic Acid and its salts	Same as E200
E202	Potassium Sorbate	Preservative - Sorbic Acid and its salts	Same as E200
E203	Calcium Sorbate	Preservative - Sorbic Acid and its salts	Same as E200

E210	Benzoic Acid	Preservative - Benzoic Acid and its salts. Often added to milk products (cheese) and meat products.	Headaches Intestine Upset May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Asthmatics sometimes react badly. Be cautious if you suffer from allergies or intolerances.
E211	Sodium Benzoate	Preservative - Benzoic Acid and its salts	Same as E210
E212	Potassium Benzoate	Preservative - Benzoic Acid and its salts	Same as E210
E213	Calcium Benzoate	Preservative - Benzoic Acid and its salts	Same as E210
E214	Ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate	Preservative - Benzoic Acid and its salts	Same as E210
E215	Ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, Sodium Salt	Preservative - Benzoic Acid and its salts	Same as E210
E216	Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate	Preservative - Benzoic Acid and its salts	Same as E210
E217	Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, Sodium Salt	Preservative - Benzoic Acid and its salts	Same as E210
E218	Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate	Preservative - Benzoic Acid and its salts	Same as E210
E219	Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate, Sodium Salt	Preservative - Benzoic Acid and its salts	Same as E210

E220	Sulphur Dioxide	Preservative - Sulphur Dioxide and its salts Often added to milk products (cheese) and meat products.	Headaches Intestine Upset Skin Disorders Destroys Vitamin B12
E221	Sodium Sulphite	Preservative - Sulphur Dioxide and its salts	Same as E220
E222	Sodium Hydrogen Sulphite	Preservative - Sulphur Dioxide and its salts	Same as E220
E223	Sodium Metabisulphite	Preservative - Sulphur Dioxide and its salts	Same as E220
E224	Potassium Metabisulphite	Preservative - Sulphur Dioxide and its salts	Same as E220
E226	Calcium Sulphite	Preservative - Sulphur Dioxide and its salts	Same as E220
E227	Calcium Hydrogen Sulphite	Preservative - Sulphur Dioxide and its salts	Same as E220

E230	Biphenyl / Diphenyl	Preservative - Biphenyl and its derivatives	Headaches Intestine Upset Skin Disorders
E231	2-Hydroxybiphenyl	Preservative - Biphenyl and its derivatives	Same as E230
E232	Sodium Biphenyl-2-yl Oxide	Preservative - Biphenyl and its derivatives	Same as E230
E233	2-(Thiazol-4-yl) Benzimidazole	Preservative - other	Same as E230
E239	Hexamine	Preservative - other	Same as E230

E249	Potassium Nitrate	Preservative - Pickling Salts	Same as E230
E250	Sodium Nitrite	Preservative - Pickling Salts	Same as E230
E251	Sodium Nitrate	Preservative - Pickling Salts	Same as E230
E252	Potassium Nitrate(Saltpetre)	Preservative - Pickling Salts	Same as E230

E260	Acetic Acid	Miscellaneous - Acids and their Salts	Headaches Intestine Upset Skin Disorders
E261	Potassium Acetate	Miscellaneous - Acids and their Salts	Headaches Intestine Upset Skin Disorders
E262	Potassium Hydrogen Diacetate	Miscellaneous - Acids and their Salts	Headaches Intestine Upset Skin Disorders
E263	Calcium Acetate	Miscellaneous - Acids and their Salts
E270	Lactic Acid	Miscellaneous - Acids and their Salts
E280	Propionic Acid	Preservative - Acids and their Salts
E281	Sodium Propionate	Preservative- Acids and their Salts
E282	Calcium Propionate	Preservative- Acids and their Salts
E283	Potassuim Propionate	Preservative- Acids and their Salts
E290	Carbon Dioxide	Miscellaneous - Acids and their Salts	Intestine Upset
E300	L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)	Antioxidants- Vitamin C and derivatives	Safe
E301	Sodium-L-Ascorbate	Antioxidants- Vitamin C and derivatives	Safe
E302	Calcium-L-Ascorbate	Antioxidants- Vitamin C and derivatives	Safe
E304	Ascorbyl Palmitate	Antioxidants- Vitamin C and derivatives	Safe
E306	Natural Extracts rich in Tocopherols	Antioxidants- Vitamin E	Safe
E307	Synthetic Alpha-Tocopherol	Antioxidants- Vitamin E	Safe
E308	Synthetic Gamma-Tocopherol	Antioxidants- Vitamin E	Safe
E309	Synthetic Delta-Tocopherol	Antioxidants- Vitamin E	Safe
E310	Propyl Gallate	Antioxidants- other
E311	Octyl Gallate	Antioxidants- other
E312	Dodecyl Gallate	Antioxidants- other
E320	Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)	Antioxidants- other	May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Asthmatics sometimes react badly. Be cautious if you suffer from allergies or intolerances. May not be suitable for babies
E321	Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)	Antioxidants- other	Same as E320
E322	Lecithins	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers
E325	Sodium Lactate	Miscellaneous - Salts of Lactic Acid
E326	Potassium Lactate	Miscellaneous - Salts of Lactic Acid
E327	Calcium Lactate	Miscellaneous - Salts of Lactic Acid
E330	Citric Acid	Miscellaneous - Citric Acid and its Salts	Intestine Upset
E331	Sodium Citrates	Miscellaneous - Citric Acid and its Salts
E332	Potassium Citrates	Miscellaneous - Citric Acid and its Salts
E333	Calcium Citrates	Miscellaneous - Citric Acid and its Salts
E334	Tartaric Acid	Miscellaneous - Tartaric Acid and its Salts	Intestine Upset
E335	Sodium Tartrate	Miscellaneous - Tartaric Acid and its Salts
E336	Potassium Tartrate (Cream of Tartar)	Miscellaneous - Tartaric Acid and its Salts
E337	Potassium Sodium Tartrate	Miscellaneous - Tartaric Acid and its Salts
E338	Orthophosphoric Acid	Miscellaneous - Phosphoric Acid and its Salts
E339	Sodium Phosphates	Miscellaneous - Phosphoric Acid and its Salts
E340	Potassium Phosphates	Miscellaneous - Phosphoric Acid and its Salts
E341	Calcium Phosphates	Miscellaneous - Phosphoric Acid and its Salts
E400	Alginic Acid	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Alginates
E401	Sodium Alginate	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Alginates	Safe
E402	Potassium Alginate	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Alginates	Safe
E403	Ammonium Alginate	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Alginates	Safe
E404	Calcium Alginate	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Alginates
E405	Propane-1,2-Diol Alginate	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Alginates
E406	Agar	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - other plant gums	Safe
E407	Carrageenan	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - other plant gums	Safe
E410	Locust Bean Gum (Carob Gum)	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - other plant gums
E412	Guar Gum	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - other plant gums	Safe
E413	Tragacanth	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - other plant gums	Be cautious if you suffer from allergies or intolerances.
E414	Gum Acacia (Gum Arabic)	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - other plant gums	Safe ?
E415	Xanthan Gum	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - other plant gums	Safe ?
E420	Sorbitol	Sugar Alcohols
E421	Mannitol	Sugar Alcohols
E422	Glycerol	Sugar Alcohols
E440a	Pectin	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Pectin and derivatives
E440b	Amidated Pectin	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Pectin and derivatives
E450a,b,c	Sodium and Potassium Phosphates and Polyphosphates	Miscellaneous
E460	Microcrystalline / Powdered Cellulose	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Cellulose and derivatives
E461	Methylcellulose	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Cellulose and derivatives
E463	Hydroxypropylcellulose	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Cellulose and derivatives
E464	Hydroxypropyl-Methylcellulose	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Cellulose and derivatives
E465	Ethylmethylcellulose	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Cellulose and derivatives
E466	Carboxymethylcellulose, Sodium Salt	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - Cellulose and derivatives
E470	Sodium, Potassium and Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - salts or Esters of Fatty Acids
E471	Mono-and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - salts or Esters of Fatty Acids
E472	Various Esters of Mono-and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - salts or Esters of Fatty Acids
E473	Sucrose Esters of Fatty Acids	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - salts or Esters of Fatty Acids
E474	Sucroglycerides	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - salts or Esters of Fatty Acids
E475	Polyglycerol Esters of Fatty Acids	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - salts or Esters of Fatty Acids
E477	Propane-1,2-Diol Esters of Fatty Acids	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - salts or Esters of Fatty Acids
E481	Sodium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - salts or Esters of Fatty Acids
E482	Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - salts or Esters of Fatty Acids
E483	Stearyl Tartrate	Emulsifiers and Stabilisers - salts or Esters of Fatty Acids

Number

Name

Category

Affects

107

Yellow 2G

Colours - Yellow and Orange

128

Red 2G

Colours - Red

May increase hyperactivity in affected children.

133

Brilliant Blue FCF

Colours - Blue

May increase hyperactivity in affected children.

154

Brown FK

Colours - Brown and Black

155

Brown HT

Colours - Brown and Black

May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Asthmatics sometimes react badly. Take care if you are sensitive to Aspirin. Be cautious if you suffer from allergies or intolerances.

234

Nisin

Preservative - other

262

Sodium Acetate

Miscellaneous - Acids and their Salts

296

Malic Acid

Miscellaneous - Acids and their Salts

297

Fumaric Acid

Miscellaneous - Acids and their Salts

350

Sodium Malate