Codes for food additives
A solution of E101 riboflavin (also known as vitamin B2)
Crystals of E621 monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavour enhancer
E numbers , short for Europe numbers, are codes for substances used as food additives , including those found naturally in many foods, such as vitamin C , for use within the European Union (EU)[ 1] : 27 and European Free Trade Association (EFTA).[ 2] Commonly found on food labels , their safety assessment and approval are the responsibility of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).[ 3] The fact that an additive has an E number implies that its use was at one time permitted in products for sale in the European Single Market ; some of these additives are no longer allowed today.
Having a single unified list for food additives was first agreed upon in 1962 with food colouring . In 1964, the directives for preservatives were added, in 1970 antioxidants were added, in 1974 emulsifiers, stabilisers, thickeners and gelling agents were added as well.[ 4]
Numbering schemes
The numbering scheme follows that of the International Numbering System (INS) as determined by the Codex Alimentarius committee,[ 5] though only a subset of the INS additives are approved for use in the European Union as food additives. Outside the European continent plus Russia, E numbers are also encountered on food labelling in other jurisdictions, including the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf , South Africa, Australia, New Zealand,[ 6] Malaysia, Hong Kong,[ 7] and India.
Colloquial use
In some European countries, the "E number" is used informally as a derogatory term for artificial food additives. For example, in the UK, food companies are required to include the "E number(s)" in the ingredients that are added as part of the manufacturing process. Many components of naturally occurring healthy foods and vitamins have assigned E numbers (and the number is a synonym for the chemical component), e.g. vitamin C (E300 ) and lycopene (E160d ), found in carrots. At the same time, "E number" is sometimes misunderstood to imply approval for safe consumption. This is not necessarily the case, e.g. Avoparcin (E715 ) is an antibiotic once used in animal feed, but is no longer permitted in the EU, and has never been permitted for human consumption. Sodium nitrite (E250) is toxic. Sulfuric acid (E513) is caustic.
Classification by numeric range
Not all examples of a class fall into the given numeric range; moreover, certain chemicals (particularly in the E400–499 range) have a variety of purposes.
Full list
The list shows all components that have an E-number assigned, even those no longer allowed in the EU .
E100–E199 (colours)
Code
Name(s)
Colour
Status
E100
Curcumin (from turmeric )
Yellow-orange
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E101
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2 ), formerly called lactoflavin
Yellow-orange
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E101a
Riboflavin-5'-Phosphate
Yellow-orange
Approved in the EU.[ 8]
E102
Tartrazine (FD&C Yellow 5)
Yellow
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E103
Alkannin [ 10]
Red-brown
E104
Quinoline Yellow WS
Dull or greenish yellow
Restricted use approved in the EU.[ 8] [ 11]
E105
Fast Yellow AB
Yellow
Forbidden in the EU and US.[ 12]
E106
Riboflavin-5-Sodium Phosphate
Yellow
E107
Yellow 2G
Yellow
E110
Sunset Yellow FCF (Orange Yellow S, FD&C Yellow 6)
Yellow-orange
Restricted use approved in the EU.[ 8] [ 11] Banned in Norway .[ 13] Products in the EU require warnings and its use is being phased out.[ 11] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E111
Orange GGN
Orange
E120
Cochineal , Carminic acid , Carmine (Natural Red 4)
Crimson
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E121
Citrus Red 2
Orange to pink
Approved in the United States only for use in colouring the skin of oranges.[ 14]
E122
Carmoisine (azorubine)
Red to maroon
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Undergoing a voluntary phase-out in the UK. Currently banned in Canada, Japan, Norway, USA [citation needed ] EU currently evaluating health risks.[citation needed ]
E123
Amaranth (FD&C Red 2)
Red
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Banned in the United States.[ 15]
E124
Ponceau 4R (Cochineal Red A, Brilliant Scarlet 4R)
Pink
Restricted use approved in the EU.[ 8] [ 11]
E125
Ponceau SX , Scarlet GN
Red
Only permitted for externally applied drugs and cosmetics in the US.[ 16] [ 17] [ 18]
E126
Ponceau 6R
Red
E127
Erythrosine (FD&C Red 3)
Pink
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Banned in the US.[ 19]
E128
Red 2G
Red or pink
Not approved in the EU.[ 11]
E129
Allura Red AC (FD&C Red 40)
Red
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Banned in Switzerland .[citation needed ] Undergoing a voluntary phase out in the UK. Approved in the US.[ 9]
E130
Indanthrene blue RS
Blue
E131
Patent Blue V
Sky blue
Approved in the EU.[ 8]
Banned in the US and Australia.[citation needed ]
E132
Indigo carmine (indigotine, FD&C Blue 2)
Indigo
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E133
Brilliant blue FCF (FD&C Blue 1)
Blue
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E140
Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins : (i) Chlorophylls (ii) Chlorophyllins
Green
Approved in the EU.[ 8]
E141
Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins (i) Copper complexes of chlorophylls ii) Copper complexes of chlorophyllins
Green
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E142
Green S
Green
Approved in the EU.[ 8]
E143
Fast Green FCF (FD&C Green 3)
Turquoise
Approved in the US. Banned in the EU.
E150a
Plain caramel
Brown
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E150b
Caustic sulfite caramel
Brown
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E150c
Ammonia caramel
Brown
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E150d
Sulfite ammonia caramel
Brown
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E151
Black PN , Brilliant Black BN
Black
Approved in the EU.[ 8]
E152
Carbon black (hydrocarbon)
Black
E153
Vegetable carbon
Black
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Banned in the US. [ 20]
E154
Brown FK (kipper brown)
Brown
Previously approved in the EU for dyeing kippers only: approval withdrawn November 2011.[ 11]
E155
Brown HT (chocolate brown HT)
Brown
Approved in the EU.[ 8]
E160a
Alpha-carotene , Beta-carotene , Gamma-carotene
Yellow-orange to brown
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Only beta-carotene is approved in the US [ 9]
E160b
Annatto , bixin , norbixin
Orange
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E160c
Paprika oleoresin : (i) capsanthin , (ii) capsorubin
Red
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E160d
Lycopene
Bright to deep red
Restricted use approved in the EU.[ 8] [ 11] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E160e
Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (C 30)
Orange-red to yellow
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E160f
Ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenic acid (C 30)
Orange-red to yellow
Not approved in the EU.[ 11]
E161a
Flavoxanthin
Golden-yellow and brownish
E161b
Lutein
Orange-red to yellow
Approved in the EU.[ 8]
E161c
Cryptoxanthin
Orange-red
E161d
Rubixanthin
Orange-red
E161e
Violaxanthin
Orange
E161f
Rhodoxanthin
Purple
E161g
Canthaxanthin
Violet
Not approved in the EU.[ 11] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E161h
Zeaxanthin
Orange-red
E161i
Citranaxanthin
Deep violet
E161j
Astaxanthin
Red
E162
Beetroot Red , Betanin
Red
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E163
Anthocyanins
pH dependent (Red, green and purple ranges)
Approved in the EU.[ 8]
E164
Saffron
Orange-red[colour?]
Approved in the US.[ 9]
E170
Calcium carbonate , Chalk
White
Approved in the EU.[ 8]
E171
Titanium dioxide
White
No longer approved in the EU as of June 2022,[ 21] due to the identification of potential carcinogenic effects.[ 22] Approved in the US.[ 9]
E172
Iron oxides and iron hydroxides
Brown
Approved in the EU.[ 8] Approved in the US for sausage casings.[ 9]
E173
Aluminium
Silver to grey
Approved in the EU.[ 8]
E174
Silver
Silver
Approved in the EU.[ 8]
E175
Gold
Gold
Approved in the EU.[ 8]
E180
Pigment Rubine , Lithol Rubine BK
Red
Approved in the EU.[ 8]
E181
Tannin
Brown
E182
Orcein , Orchil
Purple
E700–E799 (antibiotics)
[ 31]
Code
Name(s)
Purpose
Status
E900
Dimethyl polysiloxane (anti-foaming agent )
anti-caking agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E901
Beeswax , white and yellow
glazing agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E902
Candelilla wax
glazing agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E903
Carnauba wax
glazing agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E904
Shellac
glazing agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E905
Paraffins
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E905a
Mineral oil
anti-foaming agent
E905b
Petrolatum
E905c
Petroleum wax (i)Microcrystalline wax (ii) Paraffin wax
glazing agent
E906
Gum benzoic
flavour enhancer
E907
Crystalline wax
glazing agent
E908
Rice bran wax
glazing agent
E909
Spermaceti wax
glazing agent
E910
Wax esters
glazing agent
E911
Methyl esters of fatty acids
glazing agent
E912
Montanic acid esters, Montan acid esters
glazing agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E913
Lanolin , sheep wool grease
glazing agent
E914
Oxidized polyethylene wax , oxidized polyethylene
glazing agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E915
Esters of colophony
glazing agent
E916
Calcium iodate
E917
Potassium iodate
E918
Nitrogen oxides
E919
Nitrosyl chloride
E920
L-cysteine
improving agent
Approved in the EU[ 32]
E921
L-cystine
improving agent
E922
Potassium persulfate
improving agent
E923
Ammonium persulfate
improving agent
E924
Potassium bromate
improving agent
Banned in the EU;[ 33] genotoxic carcinogen[ 34]
E924b
Calcium bromate
improving agent
E925
Chlorine
preservative , bleach , improving agent
E926
Chlorine dioxide (preservative )
bleach
E927a
Azodicarbonamide
improving agent
identified as a Substance of Very High Concern in EU.[ 35]
E927b
Carbamide (urea)
improving agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E928
Benzoyl peroxide (improving agent )
bleach
E929
Acetone peroxide
E930
Calcium peroxide (improving agent )
bleach
E938
Argon
packaging gas
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E939
Helium
packaging gas
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E940
Dichlorodifluoromethane
packaging gas
Banned in all countries, in compliance with the Montreal Protocol .
E941
Nitrogen (packaging gas )
propellant
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E942
Nitrous oxide
propellant
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E943a
Butane
propellant
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E943b
Isobutane
propellant
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E944
Propane
propellant
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E945
Chloropentafluoroethane
propellant
Banned in all countries, in compliance with the Montreal Protocol .
E946
Octafluorocyclobutane
propellant
Banned in all countries, in compliance with the Montreal Protocol .
E948
Oxygen
packaging gas
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E949
Hydrogen
packaging gas
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E950
Acesulfame potassium
sweetener
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E951
Aspartame
sweetener
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E952
Cyclamic acid and its sodium and calcium salts, also known as Cyclamate
sweetener
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E953
Isomalt , Isomaltitol
sweetener
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E954
Saccharin and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts
sweetener
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E955
Sucralose (Trichlorogalactosucrose)
sweetener
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E956
Alitame
sweetener
E957
Thaumatin (sweetener)
flavour enhancer
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E958
Glycyrrhizin (sweetener)
flavour enhancer
E959
Neohesperidine dihydrochalcone (sweetener)
flavour enhancer
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E960
Steviol glycosides
sweetener
Approved in the EU.[ 36]
E961
Neotame
sweetener
Approved in 2010[ 29]
E962
Aspartame-acesulfame salt (sweetener)
stabiliser
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E964
Polyglycitol syrup
sweetener
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E965
Maltitol (i) Maltitol (ii) Maltitol syrup (sweetener) (stabiliser )
humectant
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E966
Lactitol
sweetener
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E967
Xylitol
sweetener
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E968
Erythritol
sweetener
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E969
Advantame
sweetener
Approved in the EU.[ 30]
E999
Quillaia extract
foaming agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1000–E1599 (additional additives)
Code
Name(s)
Purpose
Status
E1000
Cholic acid
emulsifier
E1001
Choline salts
emulsifier
E1100
Amylase
stabiliser , flavour enhancer
E1101
Proteases ((i)Protease , (ii)Papain , (iii)Bromelain , (iv)Ficin )
stabiliser , flavour enhancer
E1102
Glucose oxidase
antioxidant
E1103
Invertase
stabiliser
Approved in the EU.[ 27]
E1104
Lipases
E1105
Lysozyme
preservative
E1200
Polydextrose
stabiliser , thickening agent , humectant , carrier
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1201
Polyvinylpyrrolidone
stabiliser
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1202
Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (carrier )
stabiliser
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1203
Polyvinyl alcohol
Approved in 2010[ 29]
E1204
Pullulan
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1400
Dextrin (Dextrins, roasted starch white and yellow) (stabiliser )
thickening agent
E1401
Modified starch ((Acid-treated starch) stabiliser )
thickening agent
E1402
Alkaline modified starch (stabiliser )
thickening agent
E1403
Bleached starch (stabiliser )
thickening agent
E1404
Oxidized starch (emulsifier )
thickening agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1405
Enzyme treated starch
E1410
Monostarch phosphate (stabiliser )
thickening agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1411
Distarch glycerol (thickening agent )
emulsifier
E1412
Distarch phosphate esterified with sodium trimetasphosphate; esterified with phosphorus oxychloride (stabiliser )
thickening agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1413
Phosphated distarch phosphate (stabiliser )
thickening agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1414
Acetylated distarch phosphate (emulsifier )
thickening agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1420
Starch acetate esterified with acetic anhydride (stabiliser )
thickening agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1421
Starch acetate esterified with vinyl acetate (stabiliser )
thickening agent
E1422
Acetylated distarch adipate (stabiliser )
thickening agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1423
Acetylated distarch glycerol
thickening agent
E1430
Distarch glycerine (stabiliser )
thickening agent
E1440
Hydroxy propyl starch (emulsifier )
thickening agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1441
Hydroxy propyl distarch glycerine (stabiliser )
thickening agent
E1442
Hydroxy propyl distarch phosphate (stabiliser )
thickening agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1443
Hydroxy propyl distarch glycerol
E1450
Starch sodium octenyl succinate (emulsifier ) (stabiliser )
thickening agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1451
Acetylated oxidised starch (emulsifier )
thickening agent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1452
Starch aluminium octenyl succinate
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1501
Benzylated hydrocarbons
E1502
Butane-1, 3-diol
E1503
Castor oil
resolving agent
E1504
Ethyl acetate
flavour solvent
E1505
Triethyl citrate
foam stabiliser
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1510
Ethanol
E1516
Glyceryl monoacetate
flavour solvent
E1517
Glyceryl diacetate or diacetin
flavour solvent
E1518
Glyceryl triacetate or triacetin
humectant and flavour solvent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1519
Benzyl alcohol
E1520
Propylene glycol
humectant and flavour solvent
Approved in the EU.[ 24]
E1521
Polyethylene glycol 8000[ 37]
Approved in 2010[ 29]
E1525
Hydroxyethyl cellulose
thickening agent
See also
References
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^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt du dv dw dx dy dz ea eb ec ed ee ef eg eh "Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers" . Food Standards Agency . Archived from the original on 22 April 2022. Retrieved 26 November 2010 .
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External links