E number
Encyclopedia
E numbers are number codes for food additive
Food additive
Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or enhance its taste and appearance.Some additives have been used for centuries; for example, preserving food by pickling , salting, as with bacon, preserving sweets or using sulfur dioxide as in some wines...

s that have been assessed for use within the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...

 (the "E" prefix stands for "Europe"). They are commonly found on food
Food
Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals...

 labels throughout the European Union. Safety assessment and approval are the responsibility of the European Food Safety Authority
European Food Safety Authority
The European Food Safety Authority is an agency of the European Union that provides independent scientific advice and communication on existing and emerging risks associated with the food chain, created by European Regulation 178/2002....

. The numbering scheme follows that of the International Numbering System (INS) as determined by the Codex Alimentarius
Codex Alimentarius
The Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines and other recommendations relating to foods, food production and food safety. Its name derives from the Codex Alimentarius Austriacus...

 committee 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
Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf , also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council , is a political and economic union of the Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf and constituting the Arabian Peninsula, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates...

, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

 and Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...

. They are increasingly, though still rarely, found on North American packaging, especially in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

 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
Vitamin C
Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. In living organisms ascorbate acts as an antioxidant by protecting the body against oxidative stress...

 (E300
Ascorbic acid
Ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties. It is a white solid, but impure samples can appear yellowish. It dissolves well in water to give mildly acidic solutions. Ascorbic acid is one form of vitamin C. The name is derived from a- and scorbutus , the...

) or lycopene
Lycopene
Lycopene is a bright red carotene and carotenoid pigment and phytochemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, such as red carrots, watermelons and papayas...

 (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.

Classification by numeric range

100–199
Colours
Food coloring
Food coloring is a substance, liquid or powder, that is added to food or drink to change its color. Food coloring is used both in commercial food production and in domestic cooking...

100–109 yellows (see the full list)
110–119 orange
120–129 reds
130–139 blues & violets
140–149 greens
150–159 browns & blacks
160–199 gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...

 and others
200–299
Preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

s
200–209 sorbates
210–219 benzoates
220–229 sulphites
230–239 phenol
Phenol
Phenol, also known as carbolic acid, phenic acid, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5OH. It is a white crystalline solid. The molecule consists of a phenyl , bonded to a hydroxyl group. It is produced on a large scale as a precursor to many materials and useful compounds...

s & formate
Formate
Formate or methanoate is the ion CHOO− or HCOO− . It is the simplest carboxylate anion. It is produced in large amounts in the hepatic mitochondria of embryonic cells and in cancer cells by the folate cycle Formate or methanoate is the ion CHOO− or HCOO− (formic acid minus one hydrogen ion). It...

s (methanoates)
240–259 nitrate
Nitrate
The nitrate ion is a polyatomic ion with the molecular formula NO and a molecular mass of 62.0049 g/mol. It is the conjugate base of nitric acid, consisting of one central nitrogen atom surrounded by three identically-bonded oxygen atoms in a trigonal planar arrangement. The nitrate ion carries a...

s
260–269 acetate
Acetate
An acetate is a derivative of acetic acid. This term includes salts and esters, as well as the anion found in solution. Most of the approximately 5 billion kilograms of acetic acid produced annually in industry are used in the production of acetates, which usually take the form of polymers. In...

s (ethanoates)
270–279 lactate
Lactic acid
Lactic acid, also known as milk acid, is a chemical compound that plays a role in various biochemical processes and was first isolated in 1780 by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. Lactic acid is a carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C3H6O3...

s
280–289 propionate
Propionate
The propanoate or propionate ion is C2H5COO− .A propanoic or propionic compound is a salt or ester of propanoic acid....

s (propanoates)
290–299 others
300–399
Antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

s & acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

s
300–305 ascorbates (vitamin C
Vitamin C
Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. In living organisms ascorbate acts as an antioxidant by protecting the body against oxidative stress...

)
306–309 Tocopherol
Tocopherol
Tocopherols are a class of chemical compounds of which many have vitamin E activity. It is a series of organic compounds consisting of various methylated phenols...

 (vitamin E)
310–319 gallate
Gallic acid
Gallic acid is a trihydroxybenzoic acid, a type of phenolic acid, a type of organic acid, also known as 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, found in gallnuts, sumac, witch hazel, tea leaves, oak bark, and other plants. The chemical formula is C6H23COOH. Gallic acid is found both free and as part of...

s & erythorbates
320–329 lactate
Lactic acid
Lactic acid, also known as milk acid, is a chemical compound that plays a role in various biochemical processes and was first isolated in 1780 by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. Lactic acid is a carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C3H6O3...

s
330–339 citrate
Citrate
A citrate can refer either to the conjugate base of citric acid, , or to the esters of citric acid. An example of the former, a salt is trisodium citrate; an ester is triethyl citrate.-Other citric acid ions:...

s & tartrate
Tartrate
A tartrate is a salt or ester of the organic compound tartaric acid, a dicarboxylic acid. Its formula is O−OC-CH-CH-COO− or C4H4O62−.As food additives, tartrates are used as antioxidants, acidity regulators, and emulsifiers...

s
340–349 phosphate
Phosphate
A phosphate, an inorganic chemical, is a salt of phosphoric acid. In organic chemistry, a phosphate, or organophosphate, is an ester of phosphoric acid. Organic phosphates are important in biochemistry and biogeochemistry or ecology. Inorganic phosphates are mined to obtain phosphorus for use in...

s
350–359 malate
Malate
Malate is the ionized form of malic acid. It is an important chemical compound in biochemistry. In the C4 carbon fixation process, malate is a source of CO2 in the Calvin cycle....

s & adipate
Adipate
Adipate is the ionized form of adipic acid.As food additives, adipates are used as acidity regulators. Examples are sodium adipate and potassium adipate .-See also:* Acidity regulator...

s
360–369 succinates & fumarates
370–399 others
400–499
Thickeners, stabilisers & emulsifiers
400–409 alginates
410–419 natural gum
Natural gum
Natural gums are polysaccharides of natural origin, capable of causing a large viscosity increase in solution, even at small concentrations. In the food industry they are used as thickening agents, gelling agents, emulsifying agents, and stabilizers...

s
420–429 other natural agents
430–439 polyoxyethene
Polyethylene glycol
Polyethylene glycol is a polyether compound with many applications from industrial manufacturing to medicine. It has also been known as polyethylene oxide or polyoxyethylene , depending on its molecular weight, and under the tradename Carbowax.-Available forms:PEG, PEO, or POE refers to an...

 compounds
440–449 natural emulsifiers
450–459 phosphate
Phosphate
A phosphate, an inorganic chemical, is a salt of phosphoric acid. In organic chemistry, a phosphate, or organophosphate, is an ester of phosphoric acid. Organic phosphates are important in biochemistry and biogeochemistry or ecology. Inorganic phosphates are mined to obtain phosphorus for use in...

s
460–469 cellulose
Cellulose
Cellulose is an organic compound with the formula , a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to over ten thousand β linked D-glucose units....

 compounds
470–489 fatty acid
Fatty acid
In chemistry, especially biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with a long unbranched aliphatic tail , which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have a chain of an even number of carbon atoms, from 4 to 28. Fatty acids are usually derived from...

s & compounds
490–499 others
500–599
pH
PH
In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. Pure water is said to be neutral, with a pH close to 7.0 at . Solutions with a pH less than 7 are said to be acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are basic or alkaline...

 regulators
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

 & anti-caking agents
500–509 mineral acid
Mineral acid
A mineral acid is an acid derived from one or more inorganic compounds. A mineral acid is not organic and all mineral acids release hydrogen ions when dissolved in water.-Characteristics:...

s & bases
510–519 chloride
Chloride
The chloride ion is formed when the element chlorine, a halogen, picks up one electron to form an anion Cl−. The salts of hydrochloric acid HCl contain chloride ions and can also be called chlorides. The chloride ion, and its salts such as sodium chloride, are very soluble in water...

s & sulphates
520–529 sulphates & hydroxide
Hydroxide
Hydroxide is a diatomic anion with chemical formula OH−. It consists of an oxygen and a hydrogen atom held together by a covalent bond, and carrying a negative electric charge. It is an important but usually minor constituent of water. It functions as a base, as a ligand, a nucleophile, and a...

s
530–549 alkali metal
Alkali metal
The alkali metals are a series of chemical elements in the periodic table. In the modern IUPAC nomenclature, the alkali metals comprise the group 1 elements, along with hydrogen. The alkali metals are lithium , sodium , potassium , rubidium , caesium , and francium...

 compounds
550–559 silicate
Silicate
A silicate is a compound containing a silicon bearing anion. The great majority of silicates are oxides, but hexafluorosilicate and other anions are also included. This article focuses mainly on the Si-O anions. Silicates comprise the majority of the earth's crust, as well as the other...

s
570–579 stearate
Stearate
Stearateis the anion form of stearic acid.Formula is C17H35COO−.-Examples:* Sodium stearate, Na* Calcium stearate, Ca2* Magnesium stearate, Mg2...

s & gluconates
580–599 others
600–699
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

s
620–629 glutamates
630–639 inosinates
640–649 others
700–799
Antibiotics
700–713
900–999
Miscellaneous
900–909 wax
Wax
thumb|right|[[Cetyl palmitate]], a typical wax ester.Wax refers to a class of chemical compounds that are plastic near ambient temperatures. Characteristically, they melt above 45 °C to give a low viscosity liquid. Waxes are insoluble in water but soluble in organic, nonpolar solvents...

es
910–919 synthetic glazes
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

920–929 improving agents
930–949 packaging gas
Packaging gas
A packaging gas used to pack sensitive materials like food into a modified atmosphere environment. The gas used is usually inert, or of a nature that protects the integrity of the packaged goods, inhibiting unwanted chemical reactions such as food spoilage or oxidation. Some may also serve as a...

es
950–969 sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

s
990–999 foaming agent
Foaming agent
A foaming agent is a surfactant, which when present in small amounts, facilitates the formation of a foam, or enhances its colloidal stability by inhibiting the coalescence of bubbles....

s
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

The list shows all components that have or had an E-number assigned. Not all additives listed are still allowed in the EU, but are listed as they used to have an E-number. For an overview of currently allowed additives see here.

E100–E199 (colours)

Code Name(s) Color Status
E100 Curcumin
Curcumin
Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid of the popular Indian spice turmeric, which is a member of the ginger family . The other two curcuminoids are desmethoxycurcumin and bis-desmethoxycurcumin. The curcuminoids are natural phenols and are responsible for the yellow color of turmeric...

, turmeric
Turmeric
Turmeric is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is native to tropical South Asia and needs temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive...

Yellow-orange Approved in the EU Approved in the US.
E101 Riboflavin
Riboflavin
Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2 or additive E101, is an easily absorbed micronutrient with a key role in maintaining health in humans and animals. It is the central component of the cofactors FAD and FMN, and is therefore required by all flavoproteins. As such, vitamin B2 is required for a...

 (Vitamin B2), formerly called lactoflavin
Yellow-orange Approved in the EU Approved in the US.
E101a Riboflavin-5'-Phosphate Yellow-orange Approved in the EU
E102 Tartrazine
Tartrazine
Tartrazine is a synthetic lemon yellow azo dye used as a food coloring...

 (FD&C Yellow 5)
Lemon yellow Approved in the EU Approved in the US.
E103 Alkannin
Alkannin
Alkannin is a natural dye that is obtained from the extracts of Alkanna tinctoria. The dye is used as a food coloring and in cosmetics. As a food additive it has the E number E103....

Red-brown
E104 Quinoline Yellow WS
Quinoline Yellow WS
Quinoline yellow, Quinoline Yellow WS, C.I. 47005, or Food Yellow 13, is a yellow food dye. Chemically it is a mixture of disulfonates , monosulfonates and trisulfonates of 2- indan-1,3-dione....

Dull or greenish yellow Approved in the EU Undergoing a voluntary phase-out in the UK.
E105
Fast Yellow AB
Fast Yellow AB is an azo dye denoted by E number E105. It was used as a food dye. It is now delisted in both Europe and USA and is forbidden if used in foods and drinks, as toxicological data has shown it is harmful. E105 has been implicated in non-atopic asthma....

Fast Yellow AB
Fast Yellow AB
Fast Yellow AB is an azo dye denoted by E number E105. It was used as a food dye. It is now delisted in both Europe and USA and is forbidden if used in foods and drinks, as toxicological data has shown it is harmful. E105 has been implicated in non-atopic asthma....

Yellow
E106 Riboflavin-5-Sodium Phosphate Yellow
E107 Yellow 2G
Yellow 2G
Yellow 2G is a food coloring denoted by E number E107. It has the appearance of a yellow powder, and it is soluble in water. It is a synthetic yellow azo dye....

Yellow
E110 Sunset Yellow FCF
Sunset Yellow FCF
Sunset Yellow FCF is a synthetic yellow azo dye, manufactured from aromatic hydrocarbons from petroleum. When added to foods, it is denoted by E Number E110...

 (Orange Yellow S, FD&C Yellow 6)
Yellow-orange Approved in the EU. Banned in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...

. Products in the EU require warnings and its use is being phased-out. Approved in the US.
E111 Orange GGN
Orange GGN
Orange GGN, also known as alpha-naphthol orange, is a food dye. In Europe it is denoted by the E Number E111. It is the disodium salt of 1--2-naphthol-6-sulfonic acid...

Orange
E120 Cochineal
Cochineal
The cochineal is a scale insect in the suborder Sternorrhyncha, from which the crimson-colour dye carmine is derived. A primarily sessile parasite native to tropical and subtropical South America and Mexico, this insect lives on cacti from the genus Opuntia, feeding on plant moisture and...

, Carminic acid
Carminic acid
Carminic acid is a red glucosidal hydroxyanthrapurin that occurs naturally in some scale insects, such as the cochineal and the Polish cochineal. The insects produce the acid as a deterrent to predators. Carminic acid is the colouring agent in carmine. Synonyms are C.I. 75470 and C.I...

, Carmine
Carmine
Carmine , also called Crimson Lake, Cochineal, Natural Red #4, C.I. 75470, or E120, is a pigment of a bright-red color obtained from the aluminum salt of carminic acid, which is produced by some scale insects, such as the cochineal beetle and the Polish cochineal, and is used as a general term for...

 (Natural Red 4)
Crimson Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E121 Citrus Red 2
Citrus Red 2
Citrus Red 2, Citrus Red No. 2, C.I. Solvent Red 80, or C.I. 12156 is an artificial dye. As a food dye, it is permitted by Food and Drug Administration since 1956 only for use in the United States to color the skin of oranges. Citrus Red 2 is listed as an IARC Group 2B carcinogen, meaning that it...

Dark red Approved in the United States only for use in coloring the skin of oranges.
E122 Carmoisine, Azorubine
Azorubine
Azorubine, carmoisine, Food Red 3, Azorubin S, Brillantcarmoisin O, Acid Red 14, or C.I. 14720 is a synthetic red food dye from the azo dye group. It usually comes as a disodium salt. It is a red to maroon powder. It is used for the purposes where the food is heat-treated after fermentation. It has...

Red to maroon Approved in the EU. Undergoing a voluntary phase-out in the UK. Currently banned in Canada, Japan, Norway, USA . EU currently evaluating health risks.
E123 Amaranth
Amaranth (dye)
Amaranth, FD&C Red No. 2, E123, C.I. Food Red 9, Acid Red 27, Azorubin S, or C.I. 16185, is a dark red to purple azo dye once used as a food dye and to color cosmetics, but since 1976 it has been banned in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration as it is a suspected carcinogen. It...

 (FD&C Red 2)
Dark red Approved in the EU.
E124 Ponceau 4R
Ponceau 4R
Ponceau 4R , SX purple) is a synthetic colourant that may be used as a food colouring. It is denoted by E Number E124...

 (Cochineal Red A, Brilliant Scarlet 4R)
Red Approved in the EU.
E125 Ponceau SX, Scarlet GN
Scarlet GN
Scarlet GN, or C.I. Food Red 1, Ponceau SX, FD&C Red No. 4, or C.I. 14700 is a red azo dye used as a food dye. When used as a food additive, it has the E number E125. It usually comes as a disodium salt....

Red
E126 Ponceau 6R
Ponceau 6R
Ponceau 6R, or Crystal ponceau 6R, Crystal scarlet, Brilliant crystal scarlet 6R, Acid Red 44, or C.I. 16250, is a red azo dye. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol. It is used as a food dye, with E number E126. It is also used in histology, for staining fibrin with the MSB...

Red
E127 Erythrosine
Erythrosine
Erythrosine, also known as Red No. 3, is an organoiodine compound, specifically a derivative of fluorone. It is cherry-pink synthetic, primarily used for food coloring. It is the disodium salt of 2,4,5,7-tetraiodofluorescein...

 (FD&C Red 3)
Red Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E128 Red 2G
Red 2G
Red 2G is a synthetic red azo dye. It is soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol. It usually comes as a disodium salt of 8-acetamido-1-hydroxy-2-phenylazonaphthalene-3,6 disulphonate.-Food dye:...

Red
E129 Allura Red AC
Allura Red AC
Allura Red AC is a red azo dye that goes by several names including: Allura Red, Food Red 17, C.I. 16035, FD&C Red 40, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 6-hydroxy-5--, disodium salt, and disodium 6-hydroxy-5--2-naphthalenesulfonate. It is used as a food dye and has the E number E129...

 (FD&C Red 40)
Red Approved in the EU. Banned in Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....

. Undergoing a voluntary phase out in the UK. Approved in the US.
E130 Indanthrene blue RS
Indanthrene blue RS
Indanthrene blue RS is a synthetic anthraquinone dye. It has the appearance of blue needles with metallic lustre and melting point of 470-500 °C...

Blue
E131 Patent Blue V
Patent Blue V
Patent Blue V, also called Food Blue 5 or Sulphan Blue, is a dark bluish synthetic dye used as a food coloring. As a food additive, it has E number E131. It is a sodium or calcium salt of [4--2,5-cyclohexadien-1-ylidene] diethylammonium hydroxide inner salt...

Dark blue Approved in the EU.
E132 Indigo carmine
Indigo carmine
Indigo carmine, or 5,5'-indigodisulfonic acid sodium salt, also known as indigotine or FD&C Blue #2 is a pH indicator with the chemical formula C16H8N2Na2O8S2. It is approved for use as a food colorant in the USA and the EU and has the E number E132.-Uses:The primary use of Indigo carmine is as a...

 (indigotine, FD&C Blue 2)
Indigo Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E133 Brilliant Blue FCF
Brilliant Blue FCF
Brilliant Blue FCF , also known under commercial names, is a colorant for foods and other substances to induce a color change. It is denoted by E number E133 and has a color index of 42090. It has the appearance of a reddish-blue powder...

 (FD&C Blue 1)
Reddish blue Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E140 Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in almost all plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Its name is derived from the Greek words χλωρος, chloros and φύλλον, phyllon . Chlorophyll is an extremely important biomolecule, critical in photosynthesis, which allows plants to obtain energy from light...

s and Chlorophyllin
Chlorophyllin
Chlorophyllin refers to any one of a group of closely related water-soluble salts that are semi-synthetic derivatives of chlorophyll, differing in the identity of the cations associated with the anion. Its most common form is a sodium/copper derivative used as a food additive and in alternative...

s: (i) Chlorophylls (ii) Chlorophyllins
Green Approved in the EU.
E141 Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins (i) Copper complexes of chlorophylls (ii) Copper complexes of chlorophyllins Green Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E142 Green S
Green S
Green S is a green synthetic coal tar triarylmethane dye with the molecular formula C27H25N2O7S2Na.As a food dye, it has E number E142. It can be used in mint sauce, desserts, gravy granules, sweets, ice creams, and tinned peas. Green S is prohibited as a food additive in Canada, United States,...

Green Approved in the EU.
E143 Fast Green FCF
Fast Green FCF
Fast Green FCF, also called Food green 3, FD&C Green No. 3, Green 1724, Solid Green FCF, and C.I. 42053, is a sea green triarylmethane food dye. Its E number is E143....

 (FD&C Green 3)
Sea green
E150a Plain caramel Brown Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E150b Caustic sulphite caramel Brown Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E150c Ammonia caramel Brown Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E150d Sulphite ammonia caramel Brown Approved in the US.
E151 Black PN, Brilliant Black BN
Brilliant Black BN
Brilliant Black BN, Brilliant Black PN, Brilliant Black A, Black PN, Food Black 1, Naphthol Black, C.I. Food Brown 1, or C.I. 28440, is a synthetic black diazo dye. It is soluble in water. It usually comes as tetrasodium salt. It has the appearance of solid, fine powder or granules...

Black Approved in the EU.
E152 Black 7984
Black 7984
Black 7984, Food Black 2, or C.I. 27755, is a brown-to-black synthetic diazo dye. It is often used as the tetrasodium salt.When used as a food dye, it has E number E152. Its use in food is discontinued in USA and EU since 1984...

 food colouring
Black
E153 Carbon black
Carbon black
Carbon black is a material produced by the incomplete combustion of heavy petroleum products such as FCC tar, coal tar, ethylene cracking tar, and a small amount from vegetable oil. Carbon black is a form of amorphous carbon that has a high surface-area-to-volume ratio, although its...

, Vegetable carbon
Black Approved in the EU.
E154 Brown FK
Brown FK
Brown FK, also called Kipper Brown, Chocolate Brown FK, and C.I. Food Brown 1, is a brown mixture of six synthetic azo dyes, with addition of sodium chloride, and/or sodium sulfate. It is very soluble in water. Its CAS number is...

 (kipper brown)
Brown Approved in the EU.
E155 Brown HT
Brown HT
Brown HT, also called Chocolate Brown HT, Food Brown 3, and C.I. 20285, is a brown synthetic coal tar diazo dye.When used as a food dye, its E number is E155. It is used to substitute cocoa or caramel as a colorant. It is used mainly in chocolate cakes, but also in milk and cheeses, yoghurts, jams,...

 (chocolate brown HT)
Brown Approved in the EU.
E160a Alpha-carotene
Alpha-carotene
α-Carotene is a form of carotene with a β-ring at one end and an ε-ring at the other. It is the second most common form of carotene.-Human physiology:...

, Beta-carotene
Beta-carotene
β-Carotene is a strongly-coloured red-orange pigment abundant in plants and fruits. It is an organic compound and chemically is classified as a hydrocarbon and specifically as a terpenoid , reflecting its derivation from isoprene units...

, Gamma-carotene
Yellow-orange to brown Approved in the EU.
E160b Annatto
Annatto
Annatto, sometimes called roucou or achiote, is a derivative of the achiote trees of tropical regions of the Americas, used to produce a yellow to orange food coloring and also as a flavoring...

, bixin
Bixin
Bixin is an apocarotenoid found in annatto, a natural food coloring obtained from the seeds of the achiote tree . Annatto seeds contain about 5% pigments, which consist of 70-80% bixin....

, norbixin
Orange Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E160c Paprika oleoresin
Paprika oleoresin
Paprika oleoresin is an oil soluble extract from the fruits of Capsicum Annum Linn or Capsicum Frutescens, and is primarily used as a colouring and/or flavouring in food products...

, Capsanthin, capsorubin
Red Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E160d Lycopene
Lycopene
Lycopene is a bright red carotene and carotenoid pigment and phytochemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, such as red carrots, watermelons and papayas...

Bright to deep red Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E160e Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (C 30) Orange-red to yellow Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E160f Ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenic acid (C 30) Orange-red to yellow Approved in the EU.
E161a Flavoxanthin
Flavoxanthin
Flavoxanthin is a natural xanthophyll pigment with a golden-yellow color found in small quantities in a variety of plants. As a food additive it used under the E number E161a as a food coloring although it is not approved for use in the EU or USA.[citation needed] It is listed as food...

Golden-yellow
E161b Lutein
Lutein
Lutein is a xanthophyll and one of 600 known naturally occurring carotenoids. Lutein is synthesized only by plants and like other xanthophylls is found in high quantities in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale...

Orange-red to yellow Approved in the EU.
E161c Cryptoxanthin
Cryptoxanthin
Cryptoxanthin is a natural carotenoid pigment. It has been isolated from a variety of sources including the petals and flowers of plants in the genus Physalis, orange rind, papaya, egg yolk, butter, apples, and bovine blood serum.-Chemistry:...

Orange-red
E161d Rubixanthin
Rubixanthin
Rubixanthin, or natural yellow 27, is a natural xanthophyll pigment with a red-orange color found in rose hips. As a food additive it used under the E number E161d as a food coloring; it is not approved for use in the USA or EU but is approved in Australia and New Zealand where it is listed as...

Orange-red
E161e Violaxanthin
Violaxanthin
Violaxanthin is a natural xanthophyll pigment with an orange color found in a variety of plants including pansies. It is biosynthesized from zeaxanthin by epoxidation. As a food additive it used under the E number E161e as a food coloring; it is not approved for use in the EU or USA however is...

Orange
E161f Rhodoxanthin
Rhodoxanthin
Rhodoxanthin is a xanthophyll pigment with a purple color that is found in small quantities in a variety plants including Taxus baccata. It is also found in the feathers of some birds...

Purple
E161g Canthaxanthin
Canthaxanthin
Canthaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment widely distributed in nature. Carotenoids belong to a larger class of phytochemicals known as terpenoids. The chemical formula of canthaxanthin is C40H52O2. It has E number E161g and is approved for use in the EU and USA however it is not approved for usage in...

Violet Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E161h Zeaxanthin
Zeaxanthin
Zeaxanthin is one of the most common carotenoid alcohols found in nature. It is important in the xanthophyll cycle. Synthesized in plants & some micro-organisms, it is the pigment that gives paprika , corn, saffron, and many other plants & microbes their characteristic color.The name is derived...

Orange-red
E161i Citranaxanthin
Citranaxanthin
Citranaxanthin is a carotenoid pigment used as a food additive under the E number E161i as a food coloring. There are natural sources of citranaxanthin, but it is generally prepared synthetically. It is used as an animal feed additive to impart a yellow color to chicken fat and egg yolks....

Deep violet
E161j Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin is a carotenoid. It belongs to a larger class of phytochemicals known as terpenes. It is classified as a xanthophyll, which means "yellow leaves". Like many carotenoids, it is a colorful, lipid-soluble pigment. Astaxanthin is found in microalgae, yeast, salmon, trout, krill, shrimp,...

Red
E162 Beetroot Red, Betanin
Betanin
Betanin, or Beetroot Red, is a red glycosidic food dye obtained from beets; its aglycone, obtained by hydrolyzing away the glucose molecule, is betanidin. As a food additive, its E number is E162. Betanin degrades when subjected to light, heat, and oxygen; therefore, it is used in frozen products,...

Red Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E163 Anthocyanins pH dependent
PH indicator
A pH indicator is a halochromic chemical compound that is added in small amounts to a solution so that the pH of the solution can be determined visually. Hence a pH indicator is a chemical detector for hydronium ions or hydrogen ions in the Arrhenius model. Normally, the indicator causes the...

(Red, green and purple ranges)
Approved in the EU.
E164 Saffron
Saffron
Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus. Crocus is a genus in the family Iridaceae. Each saffron crocus grows to and bears up to four flowers, each with three vivid crimson stigmas, which are each the distal end of a carpel...

Orange-red[color?] Approved in the US.
E170 Calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate
Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound with the formula CaCO3. It is a common substance found in rocks in all parts of the world, and is the main component of shells of marine organisms, snails, coal balls, pearls, and eggshells. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime,...

, Chalk
Chalk
Chalk is a soft, white, porous sedimentary rock, a form of limestone composed of the mineral calcite. Calcite is calcium carbonate or CaCO3. It forms under reasonably deep marine conditions from the gradual accumulation of minute calcite plates shed from micro-organisms called coccolithophores....

White Approved in the EU.
E171 Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide, also known as titanium oxide or titania, is the naturally occurring oxide of titanium, chemical formula . When used as a pigment, it is called titanium white, Pigment White 6, or CI 77891. Generally it comes in two different forms, rutile and anatase. It has a wide range of...

White Approved in the EU. Approved in the US.
E172 Iron oxide
Iron oxide
Iron oxides are chemical compounds composed of iron and oxygen. All together, there are sixteen known iron oxides and oxyhydroxides.Iron oxides and oxide-hydroxides are widespread in nature, play an important role in many geological and biological processes, and are widely utilized by humans, e.g.,...

s and iron hydroxides
Brown Approved in the EU. Approved in the US for sausage casings.
E173 Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....

Silver to grey Approved in the EU.
E174 Silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...

Silver Approved in the EU.
E175 Gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...

Gold Approved in the EU.
E180 Pigment Rubine, Lithol Rubine BK
Lithol Rubine BK
Lithol Rubine BK is a reddish synthetic azo dye. It has the appearance of a red powder. It is slightly soluble in hot water, insoluble in cold water, and insoluble in ethanol. When dissolved in dimethylformamide, its absorption maximum lies at about 442 nm. It usually comes as a calcium salt.It is...

Red Approved in the EU.
E181 Tannin
Tannin
A tannin is an astringent, bitter plant polyphenolic compound that binds to and precipitates proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids.The term tannin refers to the use of...

Brown
E182 Orcein
Orcein
Orcein, also archil, orchil, lacmus, Citrus Red 2, and C.I. Natural Red 28, are names for dyes extracted from several species of lichen, commonly known as "orchella weeds", found in various parts of the world. A major source is the archil lichen, Roccella tinctoria. Orcinol is extracted from such...

, Orchil
Purple

E200–E299 (preservatives)

Code Name(s) Purpose Status
E200 Sorbic acid
Sorbic acid
Sorbic acid, or 2,4-hexadienoic acid, is a natural organic compound used as a food preservative. It has the chemical formula C6H8O2. It is a colourless solid that is slightly soluble in water and sublimes readily...

preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

Approved in the EU.
E201 Sodium sorbate
Sodium sorbate
Sodium sorbate is the sodium salt of sorbic acid.Formula is NaC6H7O2; systematic name is "sodium -hexa-2,4-dienoate".It is a food additive with E-number E201....

preservative
E202 Potassium sorbate
Potassium sorbate
Potassium sorbate is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, chemical formula C6H7KO2. Its primary use is as a food preservative . Potassium sorbate is effective in a variety of applications including food, wine, and personal care products....

preservative Approved in the EU.
E203 Calcium sorbate
Calcium sorbate
Calcium sorbate is the calcium salt of sorbic acid. Calcium sorbate is a polyunsaturated fatty acid salt.It is a commonly-used food preservative; its E number is E203....

preservative Approved in the EU.
E209 Heptyl p-hydroxybenzoate
Heptyl p-hydroxybenzoate
Heptylparaben is a compound with formula C7H15. It is a paraben which is the heptyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid.As a food additive it has E number E209, and is used as a preservative....

preservative
E210 Benzoic acid
Benzoic acid
Benzoic acid , C7H6O2 , is a colorless crystalline solid and the simplest aromatic carboxylic acid. The name derived from gum benzoin, which was for a long time the only source for benzoic acid. Its salts are used as a food preservative and benzoic acid is an important precursor for the synthesis...

preservative Approved in the EU.
E211 Sodium benzoate
Sodium benzoate
Sodium benzoate has the chemical formula NaC6H5CO2; it is a widely used food preservative, with E number E211. It is the sodium salt of benzoic acid and exists in this form when dissolved in water. It can be produced by reacting sodium hydroxide with benzoic acid.-Uses:Sodium benzoate is a...

preservative Approved in the EU.
E212 Potassium benzoate
Potassium benzoate
Potassium benzoate , the potassium salt of benzoic acid, is a food preservative that inhibits the growth of mold, yeast and some bacteria...

preservative Approved in the EU.
E213 Calcium benzoate
Calcium benzoate
Calcium benzoate refers to the calcium salt of benzoic acid. When used in the food industry as a preservative, its E number is E213 ; it is approved for use as a food additive in the EU, USA and Australia and New Zealand....

preservative Approved in the EU.
E214 Ethylparaben
Ethylparaben
Ethylparaben is the ethyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid. Its formula is HO-C6H4-CO-O-CH2CH3. It is a member of the class of compounds known as parabens.It is used as an antifungal preservative...

 (ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate)
preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

Approved in the EU.
E215 Sodium ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate preservative Approved in the EU.
E216 Propylparaben (propyl para-hydroxybenzoate) preservative
E217 Sodium propyl para-hydroxybenzoate preservative
E218 Methylparaben
Methylparaben
Methylparaben, also methyl paraben, one of the parabens, is a preservative with the chemical formula CH3. It is the methyl ester of p-hydroxybenzoic acid.-Occurrence:...

 (methyl para-hydroxybenzoate)
preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

Approved in the EU.
E219 Sodium methyl para-hydroxybenzoate
Sodium methyl para-hydroxybenzoate
Sodium methyl para-hydroxybenzoate is a compound with formula Na. It is the sodium salt of methylparaben.It is a food additive with the E number E219 which is used as a preservative....

preservative Approved in the EU.
E220 Sulphur dioxide preservative Approved in the EU.
E221 Sodium sulphite preservative Approved in the EU.
E222 Sodium bisulphite (sodium hydrogen sulphite) preservative Approved in the EU.
E223 Sodium metabisulphite preservative Approved in the EU.
E224 Potassium metabisulphite preservative Approved in the EU.
E225 Potassium sulphite preservative
E226 Calcium sulphite preservative Approved in the EU.
E227 Calcium hydrogen sulphite (preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

)
firming agent
Firming agent
Firming agents are food additives added in order to precipitate residual pectin, thus strengthening the structure of the food and preventing its collapse during processing.Typical firming agents are:* Calcium carbonate...

Approved in the EU.
E228 Potassium hydrogen sulphite preservative Approved in the EU.
E230 Biphenyl, diphenyl
Biphenyl
Biphenyl is an organic compound that forms colorless crystals. It has a distinctively pleasant smell. Biphenyl is an aromatic hydrocarbon with a molecular formula 2...

preservative Approved in the EU.
E231
2-Phenylphenol
2-Phenylphenol, or o-phenylphenol, is an organic compound that consists of two linked benzene rings and a phenolic hydroxyl group. It is a white or buff-colored, flaky crystalline solid with a melting point of about 57 °C...

Orthophenyl phenol preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

Approved in the EU.
E232 Sodium orthophenyl phenol
Sodium orthophenyl phenol
Sodium orthophenyl phenol is a compound used as a disinfectant. It is the sodium salt of 2-phenylphenol.As a food additive, it has E number E232....

preservative Approved in the EU.
E233
Thiabendazole
Tiabendazole is a fungicide and parasiticide.-Fungicide:...

Thiabendazole
Thiabendazole
Tiabendazole is a fungicide and parasiticide.-Fungicide:...

preservative
E234 Nisin
Nisin
Nisin is a polycyclic antibacterial peptide with 34 amino acid residues used as a food preservative. It contains the uncommon amino acids lanthionine , methyllanthionine , didehydroalanine and didehydroaminobutyric acid . These unusual amino acids are introduced by posttranslational modification...

preservative Approved in the EU.
E235 Natamycin, Pimaracin
Natamycin
Natamycin , also known as pimaricin, is a naturally occurring antifungal agent produced during fermentation by the bacterium Streptomyces natalensis, commonly found in soil. Natamycin has a very low solubility in water, however, natamycin is effective at very low levels. Most molds have an MIC of...

preservative Approved in the EU.
E236 Formic acid
Formic acid
Formic acid is the simplest carboxylic acid. Its chemical formula is HCOOH or HCO2H. It is an important intermediate in chemical synthesis and occurs naturally, most notably in the venom of bee and ant stings. In fact, its name comes from the Latin word for ant, formica, referring to its early...

preservative
E237 Sodium formate
Sodium formate
Sodium formate, HCOONa, is the sodium salt of formic acid, HCOOH. It usually appears as a white deliquescent powder.-Uses:Sodium formate is used in several fabric dyeing and printing processes...

preservative
E238 Calcium formate
Calcium formate
Calcium formate, Ca2, is the calcium salt of formic acid, HCOOH. It is also known as food additive E238 in food industry. The mineral form is very rare and called formicaite. It is known from a few boron deposits. It may be produced synthetically by reacting calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide with...

preservative
E239 Hexamine
Hexamine
Hexamethylenetetramine is a heterocyclic organic compound with the formula 6N4. This white crystalline compound is highly soluble in water and polar organic solvents. It has a cage-like structure similar to adamantane. It is useful in the synthesis of other chemical compounds, e.g. plastics,...

 (hexamethylene tetramine)
preservative Approved in the EU.
E240 Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is an organic compound with the formula CH2O. It is the simplest aldehyde, hence its systematic name methanal.Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor. It is an important precursor to many other chemical compounds, especially for polymers...

preservative
E242 Dimethyl dicarbonate
Dimethyl dicarbonate
Dimethyl dicarbonate or DMDC is a colourless liquid with a sharp odour. Its primary use is as a beverage preservative and or processing aid or sterilant , and acts by inhibiting the enzymes acetate kinase and L-glutamic acid decarboxylase...

preservative Approved in the EU.
E249 Potassium nitrite
Potassium nitrite
Potassium nitrite is a salt with chemical formula 2.It is a strong oxidizer and may accelerate the combustion of other materials. Like other nitrite salts such as sodium nitrite, potassium nitrite is toxic if swallowed, and laboratory tests suggest that it may be mutagenic or teratogenic...

preservative Approved in the EU.
E250
Sodium nitrite
Sodium nitrite is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaNO2. It is a white to slight yellowish crystalline powder that is very soluble in water and is hygroscopic...

Sodium nitrite
Sodium nitrite
Sodium nitrite is the inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaNO2. It is a white to slight yellowish crystalline powder that is very soluble in water and is hygroscopic...

preservative Approved in the EU.
E251 Sodium nitrate
Sodium nitrate
Sodium nitrate is the chemical compound with the formula NaNO3. This salt, also known as Chile saltpeter or Peru saltpeter to distinguish it from ordinary saltpeter, potassium nitrate, is a white solid which is very soluble in water...

 (Chile saltpeter)
preservative Approved in the EU.
E252 Potassium nitrate
Potassium nitrate
Potassium nitrate is a chemical compound with the formula KNO3. It is an ionic salt of potassium ions K+ and nitrate ions NO3−.It occurs as a mineral niter and is a natural solid source of nitrogen. Its common names include saltpetre , from medieval Latin sal petræ: "stone salt" or possibly "Salt...

 (Saltpetre)
preservative Approved in the EU.
E260 Acetic acid
Acetic acid
Acetic acid is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3CO2H . It is a colourless liquid that when undiluted is also called glacial acetic acid. Acetic acid is the main component of vinegar , and has a distinctive sour taste and pungent smell...

 (preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

)
acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E261 Potassium acetate
Potassium acetate
Potassium acetate is the potassium salt of acetic acid.-Preparation:It can be prepared by reacting a potassium-containing base such as potassium hydroxide or potassium carbonate with acetic acid:...

 (preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

)
acidity regulator Approved in the EU.
E262 Sodium acetates (i) Sodium acetate
Sodium acetate
Sodium acetate, CH3COONa, also abbreviated NaOAc, also sodium ethanoate, is the sodium salt of acetic acid. This colourless salt has a wide range of uses.-Industrial:...

 (ii) Sodium diacetate
Sodium diacetate
Sodium diacetate is a compound with formula . It is a 1:1 mixture of sodium acetate and acetic acid but is also described as the sodium acid salt of acetic acid.It has E number "E262"....

 (sodium hydrogen acetate)
preservative, acidity regulator Approved in the EU.
E263
Calcium acetate
The chemical compound calcium acetate is the calcium salt of acetic acid. It has the formula Ca2. Its standard name is calcium acetate, while calcium ethanoate is the systematic IUPAC name. An older name is acetate of lime...

Calcium acetate
Calcium acetate
The chemical compound calcium acetate is the calcium salt of acetic acid. It has the formula Ca2. Its standard name is calcium acetate, while calcium ethanoate is the systematic IUPAC name. An older name is acetate of lime...

 (preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

)
acidity regulator Approved in the EU.
E264
Ammonium acetate
Ammonium acetate is a chemical compound with the formula CH3COONH4 . It is a white solid, which can be derived from the reaction of ammonia and acetic acid...

Ammonium acetate
Ammonium acetate
Ammonium acetate is a chemical compound with the formula CH3COONH4 . It is a white solid, which can be derived from the reaction of ammonia and acetic acid...

preservative
E265 Dehydroacetic acid
Dehydroacetic acid
Dehydroacetic acid is a pyrone derivative used mostly as a fungicide and bactericide. It is used to reduce pickle bloating as a preservative for squash and strawberries.Also used in antienzyme toothpastes....

preservative
E266 Sodium dehydroacetate preservative
E270 Lactic acid
Lactic acid
Lactic acid, also known as milk acid, is a chemical compound that plays a role in various biochemical processes and was first isolated in 1780 by the Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele. Lactic acid is a carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C3H6O3...

 (preservative) (acid)
antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E280 Propionic acid
Propionic acid
Propanoic acid is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid with chemical formula CH3CH2COOH. It is a clear liquid with a pungent odor...

preservative Approved in the EU.
E281 Sodium propionate
Sodium propionate
Sodium propanoate or sodium propionate is the sodium salt of propionic acid which has the chemical formula Na.-Uses:It is used as a food preservative and is represented by the food labeling E number E281 in Europe; it is used primarily as a mold inhibitor in bakery products...

preservative Approved in the EU.
E282 Calcium propionate
Calcium propionate
Calcium propanoate or calcium propionate has the formula Ca2. It is the calcium salt of propanoic acid.-Uses:As a food additive, it is listed as E number 282 in the Codex Alimentarius. Calcium propanoate is used as a preservative in a wide variety of products, including but not limited to bread,...

preservative Approved in the EU.
E283 Potassium propionate
Potassium propionate
Potassium propanoate or potassium propionate has formula K. Its melting point is 410 °C. It is the potassium salt of propanoic acid.-Use:...

preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

Approved in the EU.
E284 Boric acid
Boric acid
Boric acid, also called hydrogen borate or boracic acid or orthoboric acid or acidum boricum, is a weak acid of boron often used as an antiseptic, insecticide, flame retardant, as a neutron absorber, and as a precursor of other chemical compounds. It exists in the form of colorless crystals or a...

preservative Approved in the EU.
E285 Sodium tetraborate (borax) preservative Approved in the EU.
E290 Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E296 Malic acid
Malic acid
Malic acid is an organic compound with the formula HO2CCH2CHOHCO2H. It is a dicarboxylic acid which is made by all living organisms, contributes to the pleasantly sour taste of fruits, and is used as a food additive. Malic acid has two stereoisomeric forms , though only the L-isomer exists...

 (acid)
acidity regulator Approved in the EU.
E297 Fumaric acid
Fumaric acid
Fumaric acid or trans-butenedioic acid is the chemical compound with the formula HO2CCH=CHCO2H. This white crystalline compound is one of two isomeric unsaturated dicarboxylic acids, the other being maleic acid. In fumaric acid the carboxylic acid groups are trans and in maleic acid they are cis...

acidity regulator Approved in the EU.

E300–E399 (antioxidants, acidity regulators)

Code Name(s) Purpose Status
E300
Ascorbic acid
Ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties. It is a white solid, but impure samples can appear yellowish. It dissolves well in water to give mildly acidic solutions. Ascorbic acid is one form of vitamin C. The name is derived from a- and scorbutus , the...

Ascorbic acid
Ascorbic acid
Ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties. It is a white solid, but impure samples can appear yellowish. It dissolves well in water to give mildly acidic solutions. Ascorbic acid is one form of vitamin C. The name is derived from a- and scorbutus , the...

 (Vitamin C
Vitamin C
Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. In living organisms ascorbate acts as an antioxidant by protecting the body against oxidative stress...

)
antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E301 Sodium ascorbate
Sodium ascorbate
Sodium ascorbate is a more bioavailable form of vitamin C that is an alternative to taking ascorbic acid as a supplement. The molecular formula of this chemical compound is C6H7NaO6...

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E302 Calcium ascorbate
Calcium ascorbate
Calcium ascorbate is a compound with the molecular formula CaC12H14O12. It is the calcium salt of ascorbic acid, one of the mineral ascorbates....

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E303 Potassium ascorbate
Potassium ascorbate
Potassium ascorbate is a compound with formula KC6H7O6. It is the potassium salt of ascorbic acid and a mineral ascorbate. As a food additive, it has E number E303, INS number 202. Although it is not a permitted food additive in the European Union. or the USA it is approved for use in Australia...

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

E304 Fatty acid
Fatty acid
In chemistry, especially biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with a long unbranched aliphatic tail , which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have a chain of an even number of carbon atoms, from 4 to 28. Fatty acids are usually derived from...

 ester
Ester
Esters are chemical compounds derived by reacting an oxoacid with a hydroxyl compound such as an alcohol or phenol. Esters are usually derived from an inorganic acid or organic acid in which at least one -OH group is replaced by an -O-alkyl group, and most commonly from carboxylic acids and...

s of ascorbic acid
Ascorbic acid
Ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties. It is a white solid, but impure samples can appear yellowish. It dissolves well in water to give mildly acidic solutions. Ascorbic acid is one form of vitamin C. The name is derived from a- and scorbutus , the...

 (Ascorbyl palmitate
Ascorbyl palmitate
Ascorbyl palmitate is an ester formed from ascorbic acid and palmitic acid creating a fat-soluble form of vitamin C. In addition to its use as a source of vitamin C, it is also used as an antioxidant food additive...

)
antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E305 Ascorbyl stearate
Ascorbyl stearate
Ascorbyl stearate is an ester formed from ascorbic acid and stearic acid. In addition to its use as a source of vitamin C, it is used as an antioxidant food additive in margarine . The USDA limits its use to 0.02% individually or in conjunction with other antioxidants....

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

E306 Tocopherol
Tocopherol
Tocopherols are a class of chemical compounds of which many have vitamin E activity. It is a series of organic compounds consisting of various methylated phenols...

s (natural)
antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E307 Alpha-tocopherol
Alpha-tocopherol
α-Tocopherol is a type of tocopherol with formula C29H50O2. It has E number "E307".α-Tocopherol is a form of vitamin E that is preferentially absorbed and accumulated in humans...

 (synthetic)
antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E308 Gamma-tocopherol
Gamma-tocopherol
γ-Tocopherol is one of the chemical compounds that is considered vitamin E. As a food additive, it has E number E308.See the main article tocopherol for more information.-See also:* alpha-Tocopherol* beta-Tocopherol* delta-Tocopherol...

 (synthetic)
antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E309 Delta-tocopherol
Delta-tocopherol
δ-Tocopherol is one of the chemical compounds that is considered vitamin E. As a food additive, it has E number E309.See the main article tocopherol for more information.-See also:* alpha-Tocopherol* beta-Tocopherol* gamma-Tocopherol...

 (synthetic)
antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E310
Propyl gallate
Propyl gallate, or propyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate is an ester formed by the condensation of gallic acid and propanol. Since 1948, this antioxidant has been added to foods containing oils and fats to prevent oxidation. As a food additive, it is used under the E number E310.-Description:Propyl...

Propyl gallate
Propyl gallate
Propyl gallate, or propyl 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate is an ester formed by the condensation of gallic acid and propanol. Since 1948, this antioxidant has been added to foods containing oils and fats to prevent oxidation. As a food additive, it is used under the E number E310.-Description:Propyl...

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E311
Octyl gallate
Octyl gallate is the ester of octanol and gallic acid. As a food additive it is used under the E number E311 as an antioxidant and preservative....

Octyl gallate
Octyl gallate
Octyl gallate is the ester of octanol and gallic acid. As a food additive it is used under the E number E311 as an antioxidant and preservative....

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E312 Dodecyl gallate
Dodecyl gallate
Dodecyl gallate, or lauryl gallate, is the ester of dodecanol and gallic acid. As a food additive it is used under the E number E312 as an antioxidant and preservative....

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E313
Ethyl gallate
Ethyl gallate is a food additive with E number E313. It is the ethyl ester of gallic acid. Ethyl gallate is added to food as an antioxidant....

Ethyl gallate
Ethyl gallate
Ethyl gallate is a food additive with E number E313. It is the ethyl ester of gallic acid. Ethyl gallate is added to food as an antioxidant....

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

E314
Guaiacum
Guaiacum, sometimes spelled Guajacum, is a genus of flowering plants in the caltrop family Zygophyllaceae. It contains five species of slow-growing shrubs and trees, reaching a height of approximately but are usually less than half of that...

Guaiac resin antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

E315 Erythorbic acid
Erythorbic acid
Erythorbic acid, formerly known as isoascorbic acid and D-araboascorbic acid, is a stereoisomer of ascorbic acid . It is a vegetable-derived food additive produced from sucrose. It is denoted by E number E315, and is widely used as an antioxidant in processed foods.Clinical trials have been...

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E316 Sodium erythorbate
Sodium erythorbate
Sodium erythorbate is a food additive used predominantly in meats, poultry, and soft drinks. Chemically, it is the sodium salt of erythorbic acid. Sodium Erythorbate is structurally related to Vitamin C and is a antioxidant...

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E317 Erythorbin acid antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

E318 Sodium erythorbin antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

E319 tert-Butylhydroquinone
Tert-Butylhydroquinone
tert-Butylhydroquinone is an aromatic organic compound which is a type of phenol. It is a derivative of hydroquinone, substituted with tert-butyl group.-Applications:...

 (TBHQ)
antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E320 Butylated hydroxyanisole
Butylated hydroxyanisole
Butylated hydroxyanisole is an antioxidant consisting of a mixture of two isomeric organic compounds, 2-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole and 3-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole. It is prepared from 4-methoxyphenol and isobutylene. It is a waxy solid used as a food additive with the E number E320...

 (BHA)
antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E321 Butylated hydroxytoluene
Butylated hydroxytoluene
Butylated hydroxytoluene , also known as butylhydroxytoluene, is a lipophilic organic compound that is primarily used as an antioxidant food additive as well as an antioxidant additive in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, jet fuels, rubber, petroleum products, electrical transformer oil, and embalming...

 (BHT)
antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E322 Lecithin
Lecithin
Lecithin is a generic term to designate any group of yellow-brownish fatty substances occurring in animal and plant tissues, and in egg yolk, composed of phosphoric acid, choline, fatty acids, glycerol, glycolipids, triglycerides, and phospholipids .The word lecithin was originally coined in 1847 by...

emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E323 Anoxomer
Anoxomer
Anoxomer is a food additive with E number E323. It is a non-digestible polymeric antioxidant. It was designed to allow the introduction of established antioxidants in a non-absorbable manner in order to avoid potential health risk associated with their digestion.Anoxomer is prepared by...

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

E324 Ethoxyquin antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

E325 Sodium lactate
Sodium lactate
Sodium lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid produced by fermentation of a sugar source, such as corn or beets, and then neutralizing the resulting lactic acid to create a compound having the formula NaC3H5O3. As a food additive, sodium lactate has the E number E325 and naturally is a liquid...

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E326 Potassium lactate
Potassium lactate
Potassium lactate is a compound with formula KC3H5O3, or H3C-CHOH-COOK. It is the potassium salt of lactic acid. It is produced by neutralizing lactic acid which is fermented from a sugar source. It has E number "E326"...

 (antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

)
acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E327 Calcium lactate
Calcium lactate
Calcium lactate is a white crystalline salt made by the action of lactic acid on calcium carbonate. It is used in foods and given medicinally. Its E number is E327.Calcium lactate is often found in aged cheeses...

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E328 Ammonium lactate
Ammonium lactate
Ammonium lactate is a compound with formula NH4. It is the ammonium salt of lactic acid.It has E number "E328"....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E329 Magnesium lactate
Magnesium lactate
Magnesium lactate, the magnesium salt of lactic acid, is a mineral supplement.Added to some food and beverages as an acidity regulator and labeled as E329....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E330 Citric acid
Citric acid
Citric acid is a weak organic acid. It is a natural preservative/conservative and is also used to add an acidic, or sour, taste to foods and soft drinks...

acid, acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E331
Sodium citrate
Trisodium citrate has the chemical formula of Na3C6H5O7. It is sometimes referred to simply as sodium citrate, though sodium citrate can refer to any of the three sodium salts of citric acid. It possesses a saline, mildly tart flavor. For this reason, citrates of certain alkaline and alkaline earth...

Sodium citrate
Sodium citrate
Trisodium citrate has the chemical formula of Na3C6H5O7. It is sometimes referred to simply as sodium citrate, though sodium citrate can refer to any of the three sodium salts of citric acid. It possesses a saline, mildly tart flavor. For this reason, citrates of certain alkaline and alkaline earth...

s (i) Monosodium citrate
Monosodium citrate
Monosodium citrate, or sodium dihydrogen citrate, is an acid salt with the chemical formula NaH2C6H5O7, or C3H4OH2COONa. Since it has two remaining open spots on the citrate anion, it is used as a relatively strong sequestrant. It is used to prevent platelet clumping in blood samples...

 (ii) Disodium citrate
Disodium citrate
Disodium citrate, or disodium hydrogen citrate, is a sodium acid salt of citric acid with the chemical formula Na2HC6H5O7, orNa2H. It is used as an antioxidant in food as well as to improve the effects of other antioxidants...

 (iii) Sodium citrate (trisodium citrate)
acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E332 Potassium
Potassium
Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number 19. Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction.Potassium and sodium are...

 citrate
Citrate
A citrate can refer either to the conjugate base of citric acid, , or to the esters of citric acid. An example of the former, a salt is trisodium citrate; an ester is triethyl citrate.-Other citric acid ions:...

s (i) Monopotassium citrate (ii) Potassium citrate
Potassium citrate
Potassium citrate is a potassium salt of citric acid with the molecular formula C6H5K3O7. It is a white, slightly hygroscopic crystalline powder. It is odorless with a saline taste....

 (tripotassium citrate)
acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E333 Calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...

 citrate
Citrate
A citrate can refer either to the conjugate base of citric acid, , or to the esters of citric acid. An example of the former, a salt is trisodium citrate; an ester is triethyl citrate.-Other citric acid ions:...

s (i) Monocalcium citrate
Monocalcium citrate
Monocalcium citrate is a compound with formula C12H14CaO14. It is a calcium acid salt of citric acid. It is used as a firming agent in food, and as an acidity regulator and sequestrant....

 (ii) Dicalcium citrate
Dicalcium citrate
Dicalcium citrate is a compound with formula C6H6CaO7. It is a calcium acid salt of citric acid....

 (iii) Calcium citrate
Calcium citrate
Calcium citrate is the calcium salt of citric acid. It is commonly used as a food additive , usually as a preservative, but sometimes for flavor. In this sense, it is similar to sodium citrate. Calcium citrate is also used as a water softener because the citrate ions can chelate unwanted metal...

 (tricalcium citrate)
acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

, firming agent
Firming agent
Firming agents are food additives added in order to precipitate residual pectin, thus strengthening the structure of the food and preventing its collapse during processing.Typical firming agents are:* Calcium carbonate...

, sequestrant
Sequestrant
A sequestrant is a food additive whose role is to improve the quality and stability of the food products. Sequestrants form chelate complexes with polyvalent metal ions, especially copper, iron and nickel, which serve as catalysts in the oxidation of the fats in the food...

Approved in the EU.
E334 Tartaric acid
Tartaric acid
Tartaric acid is a white crystalline diprotic organic acid. It occurs naturally in many plants, particularly grapes, bananas, and tamarinds; is commonly combined with baking soda to function as a leavening agent in recipes, and is one of the main acids found in wine. It is added to other foods to...

 (L(+)-)
(acid) Approved in the EU.
E335 Sodium tartrate
Sodium tartrate
Sodium tartrate is used as an emulsifier and a binding agent in food products such as jellies, margarine, and sausage casings. As a food additive, it is known by the E number E335....

s (i) Monosodium tartrate
Monosodium tartrate
Monosodium tartrate or sodium bitartrate is a sodium salt of tartaric acid. As a food additive it is used as an acidity regulator and is known by the E number E335....

 (ii), Disodium tartrate
acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E336 Potassium
Potassium
Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number 19. Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction.Potassium and sodium are...

 tartrate
Tartrate
A tartrate is a salt or ester of the organic compound tartaric acid, a dicarboxylic acid. Its formula is O−OC-CH-CH-COO− or C4H4O62−.As food additives, tartrates are used as antioxidants, acidity regulators, and emulsifiers...

s (i) Monopotassium tartrate (cream of tartar) (ii) Dipotassium tartrate
acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E337 Sodium potassium tartrate acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E338 Orthophosphoric acid acid Approved in the EU.
E339 Sodium phosphates (i) Monosodium phosphate
Monosodium phosphate
Monosodium phosphate , also known as anhydrous monobasic sodium phosphate is a chemical compound of sodium with a phosphate counterion. It is used as a laxative and, in combination with other sodium phosphates, as a pH buffer....

 (ii) Disodium phosphate
Disodium phosphate
Disodium hydrogen phosphate is a sodium salt of phosphoric acid. It is a white powder that is highly hygroscopic and water soluble. It is therefore used commercially as an anti-caking additive in powdered products. It is also known as disodium hydrogen orthophosphate, sodium hydrogen phosphate...

 (iii) Trisodium phosphate
Trisodium phosphate
Trisodium phosphate is a cleaning agent, food additive, stain remover and degreaser. It is a white, granular or crystalline solid, highly soluble in water producing an alkaline solution....

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E340 Potassium
Potassium
Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number 19. Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction.Potassium and sodium are...

 phosphate
Phosphate
A phosphate, an inorganic chemical, is a salt of phosphoric acid. In organic chemistry, a phosphate, or organophosphate, is an ester of phosphoric acid. Organic phosphates are important in biochemistry and biogeochemistry or ecology. Inorganic phosphates are mined to obtain phosphorus for use in...

s (i) Monopotassium phosphate
Monopotassium phosphate
Monopotassium phosphate -- 24 -- is a soluble salt which is used as a fertilizer, a food additive and a fungicide. It is a source of phosphorus and potassium. It is also a buffering agent...

 (ii) Dipotassium phosphate (iii) Tripotassium phosphate
Tripotassium phosphate
Tripotassium phosphate is a water-soluble ionic salt which has the chemical formula K3PO4. It is used as a food additive for its properties as an emulsifier, foaming agent and whipping agent. In combination with fatty acids, it is a potential antimicrobial agent in poultry processing...

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E341 Calcium phosphate
Calcium phosphate
Calcium phosphate is the name given to a family of minerals containing calcium ions together with orthophosphates , metaphosphates or pyrophosphates and occasionally hydrogen or hydroxide ions ....

s (i) Monocalcium phosphate
Monocalcium phosphate
Monocalcium phosphate is a chemical compound with the formula Ca2. It is commonly found as the monohydrate, Ca2·H2O.-Fertilizer:Phosphorus is an essential nutrient and therefore is a common component of agricultural fertilizers...

 (ii) Dicalcium phosphate
Dicalcium phosphate
Dicalcium phosphate, also known as calcium monohydrogen phosphate, is a dibasic calcium phosphate. It is usually found as the dihydrate, with the chemical formula of CaHPO4 • 2H2O, but it can be thermally converted to the anhydrous form. It is practically insoluble in water, with a solubility of...

 (iii) Tricalcium phosphate
Tricalcium phosphate
Tricalcium phosphate is a calcium salt of phosphoric acid with the chemical formula Ca32. It is also known as tribasic calcium phosphate or "bone ash" ....

anti-caking agent, firming agent
Firming agent
Firming agents are food additives added in order to precipitate residual pectin, thus strengthening the structure of the food and preventing its collapse during processing.Typical firming agents are:* Calcium carbonate...

Approved in the EU.
E342 Ammonium phosphate
Ammonium phosphate
Ammonium phosphate is the salt of ammonia and phosphoric acid. It has the formula 3PO4 and consists of ammonium cations and phosphate anion. It is obtained as a crystalline powder upon mixing concentrated solutions of ammonia and phosphoric acid, or on the addition of excess of ammonia to the...

s: (i) monoammonium phosphate (ii) diammonium phosphate
Diammonium phosphate
Diammonium phosphate is one of a series of water-soluble ammonium phosphate salts which can be produced when ammonia reacts with phosphoric acid...

E343 Magnesium phosphate
Magnesium phosphate
Magnesium phosphate is a general term for salts of magnesium and phosphate appearing in three forms:* Magnesium phosphate monobasic * Magnesium phosphate dibasic * Magnesium phosphate tribasic...

s (i) monomagnesium phosphate
Monomagnesium phosphate
Monomagnesium phosphate is one of the forms of magnesium phosphate. It is a magnesium acid salt of phosphoric acid with the chemical formula Mg2.As a food additive, it is used as an acidity regulator and has the E number E343....

 (ii) Dimagnesium phosphate
Dimagnesium phosphate
Dimagnesium phosphate is a compound with formula MgHPO4. It is a magnesium acid salt of phosphoric acid.It can be formed by reaction of stoichiometric quantities of magnesium oxide with phosphoric acid.It is one of the compounds that have E number E343....

anti-caking agent 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
Lecitin citrate
Lecitin citrate is an Acidity regulator with the E Number E344. Do not confuse with Lecithin or Lectin...

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E345 Magnesium citrate
Magnesium citrate
Magnesium citrate, a magnesium salt of citric acid, is a chemical agent used medicinally as a saline laxative and to completely empty the bowel prior to a major surgery or colonoscopy. It is available without a prescription, both as a generic brand or under the brand name Citromag or Citroma. It is...

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E349 Ammonium malate
Ammonium malate
Ammonium malate is a compound with formula NH4. It is the ammonium salt of malic acid.It has E number "E349"....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E350
E350 (food additive)
E350 is an EU recognised food additive. It comes in two forms,Sodium malate is a sodium salt of malic acid , a natural acid present in fruit, it is alate is used as a buffer and flavouring in soft drinks, confectionery and other foods. The D,L - and D-isomers are not allowed for infants - who lack...

Sodium
Sodium
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals; its only stable isotope is 23Na. It is an abundant element that exists in numerous minerals, most commonly as sodium chloride...

 malate
Malate
Malate is the ionized form of malic acid. It is an important chemical compound in biochemistry. In the C4 carbon fixation process, malate is a source of CO2 in the Calvin cycle....

s (i) Sodium malate
Sodium malate
Sodium malate is a compound with formula Na2. It is the sodium salt of malic acid. As a food additive, it has the E number E350....

 (ii) Sodium hydrogen malate
acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E351 Potassium malate
Potassium malate
Potassium malate is a compound with formula K2. It is the potassium salt of malic acid.As a food additive, it has the E number E351. It is used as acidity regulator or acidifier for use in, for example, canned vegetables, soups, sauces, fruit products and soft drinks. It also acts as an...

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E352 Calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...

 malate
Malate
Malate is the ionized form of malic acid. It is an important chemical compound in biochemistry. In the C4 carbon fixation process, malate is a source of CO2 in the Calvin cycle....

s (i) Calcium malate
Calcium malate
Calcium malate is a compound with formula Ca. It is the calcium salt of malic acid. As a food additive, it has the E number E352.It is related to, but different from, calcium citrate malate....

 (ii) Calcium hydrogen malate
acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E353 Metatartaric acid emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E354 Calcium tartrate
Calcium tartrate
Calcium tartrate is a byproduct of the wine industry, prepared from wine fermentation dregs. It is the calcium salt of tartaric acid, an acid most commonly found in ripe grapes. Its solubility decreases with colder temperature, which results in the forming of whitish crystalline clusters as it...

emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E355
Adipic acid
Adipic acid is the organic compound with the formula 42. From the industrial perspective, it is the most important dicarboxylic acid: About 2.5 billion kilograms of this white crystalline powder are produced annually, mainly as a precursor for the production of nylon...

Adipic acid
Adipic acid
Adipic acid is the organic compound with the formula 42. From the industrial perspective, it is the most important dicarboxylic acid: About 2.5 billion kilograms of this white crystalline powder are produced annually, mainly as a precursor for the production of nylon...

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E356 Sodium adipate
Sodium adipate
Sodium adipate is a compound with formula Na2C6H8O4. It is the sodium salt of adipic acid.It has E number "E356"....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E357 Potassium adipate
Potassium adipate
Potassium adipate is a compound with formula K2C6H8O4. It is the potassium salt of adipic acid.It has E number "E357"....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E359 Ammonium adipate
Ammonium adipate
Ammonium adipate is a compound with formula 2 or NH4OOC-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-COONH4. It is the ammonium salt of adipic acid.It has E number "E359"....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E363 Succinic acid
Succinic acid
Succinic acid is a dicarboxylic acid. Succinate plays a biochemical role in the citric acid cycle. The name derives from Latin succinum, meaning amber, from which the acid may be obtained....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E365
Sodium fumarate
Sodium fumarate, also called disodium fumarate, is a compound with the molecular formula Na2C4H2O4. It is the sodium salt of fumaric acid, used as an acidity regulator in processed foods. Sodium fumarate and fumaric acid are sometimes used as terminal electron acceptors in the cultivation of...

Sodium fumarate
Sodium fumarate
Sodium fumarate, also called disodium fumarate, is a compound with the molecular formula Na2C4H2O4. It is the sodium salt of fumaric acid, used as an acidity regulator in processed foods. Sodium fumarate and fumaric acid are sometimes used as terminal electron acceptors in the cultivation of...

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E366 Potassium fumarate
Potassium fumarate
Potassium fumarate is a compound with formula K2C4H2O4. It is the potassium salt of fumaric acid.It has E number "E366"....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E367 Calcium fumarate
Calcium fumarate
Calcium fumarate is a compound with formula Ca or Ca. It is a calcium salt of fumaric acid.It has E number "E367"....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E368 Ammonium fumarate
Ammonium fumarate
Ammonium fumarate is a compound with formula 2 or NH4OOC-CH=CH-COONH4. It is the ammonium salt of fumaric acid.It has E number "E368"....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E370 1,4-Heptonolactone acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E380 Triammonium citrate acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E381 Ammonium ferric citrate
Ammonium ferric citrate
Ammonium ferric citrate is a food additive with E number E381 used as an acidity regulator. It is a green or reddish-brown powder which is very soluble in water....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E383 Calcium glycerylphosphate
Calcium glycerylphosphate
Calcium glycerylphosphate is a mineral supplement....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E384 Isopropyl citrate acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E385 Calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate, (Calcium disodium EDTA) sequestrant
Sequestrant
A sequestrant is a food additive whose role is to improve the quality and stability of the food products. Sequestrants form chelate complexes with polyvalent metal ions, especially copper, iron and nickel, which serve as catalysts in the oxidation of the fats in the food...

Approved in the EU.
E386 Disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate (Disodium EDTA) sequestrant
Sequestrant
A sequestrant is a food additive whose role is to improve the quality and stability of the food products. Sequestrants form chelate complexes with polyvalent metal ions, especially copper, iron and nickel, which serve as catalysts in the oxidation of the fats in the food...

E387 Oxystearin stabiliser
Stabiliser (food)
A stabiliser is an additive to food which helps to preserve its structure. Typical uses include preventing oil/water emulsions from separating in products such as salad dressing; preventing ice crystals from forming in frozen food such as ice cream; and preventing fruit from settling in products...

E388 Thiodipropionic acid
E389 Dilauryl thiodipropionate
E390 Distearyl thiodipropionate
E391 Phytic acid
Phytic acid
Phytic acid is the principal storage form of phosphorus in many plant tissues, especially bran and seeds. Phytate is not digestible to humans or nonruminant animals, however, so it is not a source of either inositol or phosphate if eaten directly...

E392 Extracts of rosemary
Rosemary
Rosemary, , is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple or blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the mint family Lamiaceae, which includes many other herbs, and is one of two species in the genus Rosmarinus...

Approved in 2010
E399 Calcium lactobionate

E400–E499 (thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers)

Code Name(s) Purpose Status
E400
Alginic acid
Alginic acid, also called algin or alginate, is an anionic polysaccharide distributed widely in the cell walls of brown algae, where it, through binding water, forms a viscous gum. In extracted form it absorbs water quickly; it is capable of absorbing 200-300 times its own weight in water. Its...

Alginic acid
Alginic acid
Alginic acid, also called algin or alginate, is an anionic polysaccharide distributed widely in the cell walls of brown algae, where it, through binding water, forms a viscous gum. In extracted form it absorbs water quickly; it is capable of absorbing 200-300 times its own weight in water. Its...

 (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent)
emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E401 Sodium alginate (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E402 Potassium alginate (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E403 Ammonium alginate (thickener) (stabiliser) emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E404 Calcium alginate
Calcium alginate
Calcium alginate is a water-insoluble, gelatinous, cream coloured substance that can be created through the addition of aqueous calcium chloride to aqueous sodium alginate. Adding artificial flavours and colours creates a more tasty edible slime...

 (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent)
emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E405 Propane-1,2-diol alginate (Propylene glycol alginate
Propylene glycol alginate
Propylene glycol alginate is an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener used in food products. It is a food additive with E number E405. Chemically, propylene glycol alginate is an ester of alginic acid, which is derived from kelp...

) (thickener) (stabiliser)
emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E406 Agar
Agar
Agar or agar-agar is a gelatinous substance derived from a polysaccharide that accumulates in the cell walls of agarophyte red algae. Throughout history into modern times, agar has been chiefly used as an ingredient in desserts throughout Asia and also as a solid substrate to contain culture medium...

 (thickener) (gelling agent)
stabiliser Approved in the EU.
E407 Carrageenan
Carrageenan
Carrageenans or carrageenins are a family of linear sulfated polysaccharides that are extracted from red seaweeds. There are several varieties of carrageen used in cooking and baking. Kappa-carrageenan is used mostly in breading and batter due to its gelling nature...

 (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent)
emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E407a Processed eucheuma seaweed (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E408 Bakers yeast glycan
E409 Arabinogalactan
Arabinogalactan
Arabinogalactan is a biopolymer consisting of arabinose and galactose monosaccharides. Two classes of arabinogalactans are found in nature: plant arabinogalactan and microbial arabinogalactan. In plants, it is a major constituent of many gums, including gum arabic, gum gutti and so on...

E410
Locust bean gum
Locust bean gum is a galactomannan vegetable gum extracted from the seeds of the carob tree, mostly found in the Mediterranean region. The long pods that grow on the tree are used to make this gum. The pods are kibbled to separate the seed from the pulp...

Locust bean gum
Locust bean gum
Locust bean gum is a galactomannan vegetable gum extracted from the seeds of the carob tree, mostly found in the Mediterranean region. The long pods that grow on the tree are used to make this gum. The pods are kibbled to separate the seed from the pulp...

 (Carob gum) (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent)
emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E411 Oat gum (thickener) stabiliser
E412
Guar gum
Guar gum, also called guaran, is a galactomannan. It is primarily the ground endosperm of guar beans. The guar seeds are dehusked, milled and screened to obtain the guar gum. It is typically produced as a free-flowing, pale, off-white-colored, coarse to fine ground powder.-Production:Guar gum is an...

Guar gum
Guar gum
Guar gum, also called guaran, is a galactomannan. It is primarily the ground endosperm of guar beans. The guar seeds are dehusked, milled and screened to obtain the guar gum. It is typically produced as a free-flowing, pale, off-white-colored, coarse to fine ground powder.-Production:Guar gum is an...

 (thickener)
stabiliser Approved in the EU.
E413 Tragacanth
Tragacanth
Tragacanth is a natural gum obtained from the dried sap of several species of Middle Eastern legumes of the genus Astragalus, including A. adscendens, A. gummifer, A. brachycalyx, and A. tragacanthus. Some of these species are known collectively under the common names "goat's thorn" and "locoweed"...

 (thickener) (stabiliser)
emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E414 Acacia gum (gum arabic
Gum arabic
220px|thumb|right|Acacia gumGum arabic, also known as acacia gum, chaar gund, char goond, or meska, is a natural gum made of hardened sap taken from two species of the acacia tree; Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal...

) (thickener) (stabiliser)
emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E415 Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide, derived from the bacterial coat of Xanthomonas campestris, used as a food additive and rheology modifier, commonly used as a food thickening agent and a stabilizer...

 (thickener)
stabiliser Approved in the EU.
E416 Karaya gum (thickener) (stabiliser) emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E417 Tara gum (thickener) stabiliser Approved in the EU.
E418 Gellan gum
Gellan gum
Gellan gum is a water-soluble polysaccharide produced by Pseudomonas elodea, a bacterium.-Chemical structure:The repeating unit of the polymer is a tetrasaccharide, which consists of two residues of D-glucose and one of each residues of L-rhamnose and D-glucuronic acid...

 (thickener) (stabiliser)
emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E419 Gum ghatti (thickener) (stabiliser) emulsifier
E420 Sorbitol
Sorbitol
Sorbitol, also known as glucitol, Sorbogem® and Sorbo®, is a sugar alcohol that the human body metabolizes slowly. It can be obtained by reduction of glucose, changing the aldehyde group to a hydroxyl group. Sorbitol is found in apples, pears, peaches, and prunes...

 (i) Sorbitol (ii) Sorbitol syrup (emulsifier) (sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

)
humectant
Humectant
A humectant is a hygroscopic substance. It is often a molecule with several hydrophilic groups, most often hydroxyl groups, but amines and carboxyl groups, sometimes esterified, can be encountered as well; the affinity to form hydrogen bonds with molecules of water is crucial here.Since...

Approved in the EU.
E421 Mannitol
Mannitol
Mannitol is a white, crystalline organic compound with the formula . This polyol is used as an osmotic diuretic agent and a weak renal vasodilator...

 (anti-caking agent)
sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

Approved in the EU.
E422 Glycerol
Glycerol
Glycerol is a simple polyol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations. Glycerol has three hydroxyl groups that are responsible for its solubility in water and its hygroscopic nature. The glycerol backbone is central to all lipids...

 (emulsifier)
sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

Approved in the EU.
E424 Curdlan
Curdlan
Curdlan is a high molecular weight polymer of glucose. Curdlan consists of β--linked glucose residues and forms elastic gels upon heating in aqueous suspension.It is produced by Agrobacterium biobar, a non pathogenic bacteria....

E425 Konjac
Konjac
Konjac , also known as konjak, konjaku, konnyaku potato, devil's tongue, voodoo lily, snake palm, or elephant yam , is a plant of the genus Amorphophallus...

 (i) Konjac gum (ii) Konjac glucomannane
emulsifier Approved in the EU. May not be used in confectionery owing to choking risk.
E426 Soybean hemicellulose Approved in the EU.
E427 Cassia gum
Cassia gum
Cassia gum is a food additive made from the endosperm of Senna obtusifolia . It is used as a thickener and gelling agent, and has E-number E427....

Approved in 2010
E429 Peptones
E430 Polyoxyethene (8) stearate (emulsifier) stabiliser
E431 Polyoxyethene (40) stearate emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E432 Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (polysorbate 20) emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E433 Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monooleate (polysorbate 80) emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E434 Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate (polysorbate 40) emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E435 Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monostearate (polysorbate 60) emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E436 Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan tristearate (polysorbate 65) emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E440 Pectin
Pectin
Pectin is a structural heteropolysaccharide contained in the primary cell walls of terrestrial plants. It was first isolated and described in 1825 by Henri Braconnot...

s (i) pectin (ii) amidated pectin
emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E441 Gelatine (emulsifier) gelling agent
E442 Ammonium phosphatides emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E443 Brominated vegetable oil
Brominated vegetable oil
Brominated vegetable oil is vegetable oil that has had atoms of the element bromine bonded to it. Brominated vegetable oil is used as an emulsifier in citrus-flavored soft drinks to help natural fat-soluble citrus flavors stay suspended in the drink and to produce a cloudy appearance...

E444
Sucrose acetate isobutyrate
Sucrose acetoisobutyrate is an emulsifier and has E number E444. In the United States, SAIB is categorized as generally recognized as safe as a food additive.- Chemistry :...

Sucrose acetate isobutyrate
Sucrose acetate isobutyrate
Sucrose acetoisobutyrate is an emulsifier and has E number E444. In the United States, SAIB is categorized as generally recognized as safe as a food additive.- Chemistry :...

emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E445 Glycerol esters of wood rosins emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E446 Succistearin
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 Approved in the EU.
E451 Triphosphates (i) Sodium triphosphate (pentasodium triphosphate) (ii) Pentapotassium triphosphate emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E452 Polyphosphate
Polyphosphate
Triphosphates are salts or esters of polymeric oxyanions formed from tetrahedral PO4 structural units linked together by sharing oxygen atoms. When two corners are shared the polyphosphate may have a linear chain structure or a cyclic ring structure. In biology the polyphosphate esters AMP, ADP...

s (i) Sodium polyphosphates (ii) Potassium polyphosphates (iii) Sodium calcium polyphosphate (iv) Calcium polyphosphates (v) Ammonium
Ammonium
The ammonium cation is a positively charged polyatomic cation with the chemical formula NH. It is formed by the protonation of ammonia...

 Polyphosphate
Polyphosphate
Triphosphates are salts or esters of polymeric oxyanions formed from tetrahedral PO4 structural units linked together by sharing oxygen atoms. When two corners are shared the polyphosphate may have a linear chain structure or a cyclic ring structure. In biology the polyphosphate esters AMP, ADP...

emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E459 Beta-cyclodextrin emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E460 Cellulose
Cellulose
Cellulose is an organic compound with the formula , a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to over ten thousand β linked D-glucose units....

 (i) Microcrystalline cellulose
Microcrystalline cellulose
Microcrystalline cellulose is a term for refined wood pulp and is used as a texturizer, an anti-caking agent, a fat substitute, an emulsifier, an extender, and a bulking agent in food production. The most common form is used in vitamin supplements or tablets...

 (ii) Powdered cellulose
emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E461 Methyl cellulose emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E462 Ethyl cellulose
Ethyl cellulose
Ethyl cellulose is a derivative of cellulose in which some of the hydroxyl groups on the repeating glucose units are converted into ethyl ether groups. The number of ethyl groups can vary depending on the manufacture....

emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E463 Hydroxypropyl cellulose
Hydroxypropyl cellulose
Hydroxypropyl cellulose is a derivative of cellulose with both water solubility and organic solubility. It is used as a topical ophthalmic protectant and lubricant.-Chemistry:...

emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E464
Hypromellose
Hypromellose , short for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose , is a semisynthetic, inert, viscoelastic polymer used as an ophthalmic lubricant, as well as an excipient and controlled-delivery component in oral medicaments, found in a variety of commercial products.As a food additive, hypromellose is an...

Hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, = hypromellose
Hypromellose
Hypromellose , short for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose , is a semisynthetic, inert, viscoelastic polymer used as an ophthalmic lubricant, as well as an excipient and controlled-delivery component in oral medicaments, found in a variety of commercial products.As a food additive, hypromellose is an...

emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E465 Ethyl methyl cellulose emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E466 Carboxymethyl cellulose
Carboxymethyl cellulose
Carboxymethyl cellulose or cellulose gum is a cellulose derivative with carboxymethyl groups bound to some of the hydroxyl groups of the glucopyranose monomers that make up the cellulose backbone...

, Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose
emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E467 Ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose
E468 Crosslinked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose
Croscarmellose sodium
Croscarmellose sodium is an internally cross-linked sodium carboxymethylcellulose for use as a disintegrant in pharmaceutical formulations.-Background:...

 (Croscarmellose)
emulsifier Approved in the EU. This additive is under discussion and may be included in a future amendment to the Directive on miscellaneous additives
E469 Enzymically hydrolysed carboxymethylcellulose emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E470a Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids (emulsifier) anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E470b Magnesium salts of fatty acids (emulsifier) anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E471
E471
Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids is a food additive.These synthetic fats are produced from glycerol and natural fatty acids, from either plant or animal origin...

Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl distearate) emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E472a Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E472b Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E472c Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E472d Tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E472e Mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
DATEM
DATEM is an emulsifier primarily used in baking. It is used to strengthen the dough by building a strong gluten network...

emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E472f Mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E472g Succinylated monoglycerides emulsifier
E473 Sucrose esters of fatty acids emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E474 Sucroglycerides emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E475 Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E476 Polyglycerol polyricinoleate
Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate
Polyglycerol polyricinoleate , E476, an emulsifier made from castor bean oils, reduces the viscosity of chocolate and similar coatings and compounds. It works by decreasing the friction between the particles of cacao, sugar, milk, etc. present so they can flow more easily when melted. It is used at...

emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E477 Propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acids, propylene glycol esters of fatty acids emulsifier Approved in the EU.
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 Approved in the EU.
E480 Dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate emulsifier
E481 Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E482 Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate
Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate
Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate is a versatile, FDA approved food additive. CSL is non-toxic, biodegradable, and typically manufactured using biorenewable feedstocks...

emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E483 Stearyl tartrate emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E484 Stearyl citrate emulsifier
E485 Sodium stearoyl fumarate emulsifier
E486 Calcium stearoyl fumarate emulsifier
E487 Sodium laurylsulphate emulsifier
E488 Ethoxylated Mono- and Di-Glycerides emulsifier
E489 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester emulsifier
E490 Propane-1,2-diol
E491 Sorbitan monostearate
Sorbitan monostearate
Sorbitan monostearate is an ester of sorbitan and stearic acid and is sometimes referred to as a synthetic wax. It is primarily used as an emulsifier to keep water and oils mixed. Sorbitan monostearate is used in the manufacture of food and healthcare products, and is a non-ionic surfactant with...

emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E492 Sorbitan tristearate
Sorbitan tristearate
Sorbitan tristearate is a nonionic surfactant. It is variously used as a dispersing agent, emulsifier, and stabilizer, in food and in aerosol sprays. As a food additive, it has the E number E492...

emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E493 Sorbitan monolaurate emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E494 Sorbitan monooleate emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E495 Sorbitan monopalmitate emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E496 Sorbitan trioleate emulsifier
E497 Polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene polymers
E498 Partial polyglycerol esters of polycondensed fatty acids of castor oil

E500–E599 (acidity regulators, anti-caking agents)

Code Name(s) Purpose Status
E500 Sodium
Sodium
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals; its only stable isotope is 23Na. It is an abundant element that exists in numerous minerals, most commonly as sodium chloride...

 carbonate
Carbonate
In chemistry, a carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid, characterized by the presence of the carbonate ion, . The name may also mean an ester of carbonic acid, an organic compound containing the carbonate group C2....

s (i) Sodium carbonate
Sodium carbonate
Sodium carbonate , Na2CO3 is a sodium salt of carbonic acid. It most commonly occurs as a crystalline heptahydrate, which readily effloresces to form a white powder, the monohydrate. Sodium carbonate is domestically well-known for its everyday use as a water softener. It can be extracted from the...

 (ii) Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate
Sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate is the chemical compound with the formula Na HCO3. Sodium bicarbonate is a white solid that is crystalline but often appears as a fine powder. It has a slightly salty, alkaline taste resembling that of washing soda . The natural mineral form is...

 (Sodium hydrogen carbonate) (iii) Sodium sesquicarbonate
Sodium sesquicarbonate
Sodium sesquicarbonate Na3H2, which is a double salt of sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate, and has a needle-like crystal structure...

 (acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

)
raising agent Approved in the EU.
E501
E501
E501 can refer to:* E number 501, a food additive* E501 series, electric multiple unit operating in Japan...

Potassium
Potassium
Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number 19. Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction.Potassium and sodium are...

 carbonate
Carbonate
In chemistry, a carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid, characterized by the presence of the carbonate ion, . The name may also mean an ester of carbonic acid, an organic compound containing the carbonate group C2....

s (i) Potassium carbonate
Potassium carbonate
Potassium carbonate is a white salt, soluble in water , which forms a strongly alkaline solution. It can be made as the product of potassium hydroxide's absorbent reaction with carbon dioxide. It is deliquescent, often appearing a damp or wet solid...

 (ii) Potassium bicarbonate
Potassium bicarbonate
Potassium bicarbonate , is a colorless, odorless, slightly basic, salty substance...

 (Potassium hydrogen carbonate)
acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E503 Ammonium
Ammonium
The ammonium cation is a positively charged polyatomic cation with the chemical formula NH. It is formed by the protonation of ammonia...

 carbonate
Carbonate
In chemistry, a carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid, characterized by the presence of the carbonate ion, . The name may also mean an ester of carbonic acid, an organic compound containing the carbonate group C2....

s (i) Ammonium carbonate
Ammonium carbonate
Ammonium carbonate is a commercial salt with the chemical formula 2CO3. It is used when crushed as a smelling salt. It can be crushed when needed in order to revive someone who has fainted...

 (ii) Ammonium bicarbonate
Ammonium bicarbonate
Ammonium bicarbonate, a compound with formulaNH4, also called bicarbonate of ammonia, ammonium hydrogen carbonate, hartshorn, AmBic or powdered baking ammonia, is the bicarbonate salt of ammonia....

 (Ammonium hydrogen carbonate)
acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E504 Magnesium
Magnesium
Magnesium is a chemical element with the symbol Mg, atomic number 12, and common oxidation number +2. It is an alkaline earth metal and the eighth most abundant element in the Earth's crust and ninth in the known universe as a whole...

 carbonate
Carbonate
In chemistry, a carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid, characterized by the presence of the carbonate ion, . The name may also mean an ester of carbonic acid, an organic compound containing the carbonate group C2....

s (i) Magnesium carbonate
Magnesium carbonate
Magnesium carbonate, MgCO3, is a white solid that occurs in nature as a mineral. Several hydrated and basic forms of magnesium carbonate also exist as minerals...

 (ii) Magnesium bicarbonate Magnesium hydrogen carbonate
acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

, anti-caking agent
Approved in the EU.
E505 Ferrous carbonate acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

E507 Hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrochloric acid is a solution of hydrogen chloride in water, that is a highly corrosive, strong mineral acid with many industrial uses. It is found naturally in gastric acid....

acid
Acid
An acid is a substance which reacts with a base. Commonly, acids can be identified as tasting sour, reacting with metals such as calcium, and bases like sodium carbonate. Aqueous acids have a pH of less than 7, where an acid of lower pH is typically stronger, and turn blue litmus paper red...

Approved in the EU.
E508 Potassium chloride
Potassium chloride
The chemical compound potassium chloride is a metal halide salt composed of potassium and chlorine. In its pure state, it is odorless and has a white or colorless vitreous crystal appearance, with a crystal structure that cleaves easily in three directions. Potassium chloride crystals are...

 (gelling agent)
seasoning
Seasoning
Seasoning is the process of imparting flavor to, or improving the flavor of, food.- General meaning :Seasonings include herbs and spices, which are themselves frequently referred to as "seasonings"...

Approved in the EU.
E509 Calcium chloride
Calcium chloride
Calcium chloride, CaCl2, is a salt of calcium and chlorine. It behaves as a typical ionic halide, and is solid at room temperature. Common applications include brine for refrigeration plants, ice and dust control on roads, and desiccation...

 (sequestrant
Sequestrant
A sequestrant is a food additive whose role is to improve the quality and stability of the food products. Sequestrants form chelate complexes with polyvalent metal ions, especially copper, iron and nickel, which serve as catalysts in the oxidation of the fats in the food...

)
firming agent
Firming agent
Firming agents are food additives added in order to precipitate residual pectin, thus strengthening the structure of the food and preventing its collapse during processing.Typical firming agents are:* Calcium carbonate...

Approved in the EU.
E510
Ammonium chloride
Ammonium chloride NH4Cl is an inorganic compound with the formula NH4Cl. It is a white crystalline salt that is highly soluble in water. Solutions of ammonium chloride are mildly acidic. Sal ammoniac is a name of natural, mineralogical form of ammonium chloride...

Ammonium chloride
Ammonium chloride
Ammonium chloride NH4Cl is an inorganic compound with the formula NH4Cl. It is a white crystalline salt that is highly soluble in water. Solutions of ammonium chloride are mildly acidic. Sal ammoniac is a name of natural, mineralogical form of ammonium chloride...

, ammonia solution (acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

)
improving agent
E511 Magnesium chloride
Magnesium chloride
Magnesium chloride is the name for the chemical compounds with the formulas MgCl2 and its various hydrates MgCl2x. These salts are typical ionic halides, being highly soluble in water. The hydrated magnesium chloride can be extracted from brine or sea water...

firming agent
Firming agent
Firming agents are food additives added in order to precipitate residual pectin, thus strengthening the structure of the food and preventing its collapse during processing.Typical firming agents are:* Calcium carbonate...

Approved in the EU.
E512 Stannous chloride
Tin(II) chloride
Tin chloride is a white crystalline solid with the formula 2. It forms a stable dihydrate, but aqueous solutions tend to undergo hydrolysis, particularly if hot. SnCl2 is widely used as a reducing agent , and in electrolytic baths for tin-plating...

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

Approved in the EU.
E513 Sulphuric acid acid
Acid
An acid is a substance which reacts with a base. Commonly, acids can be identified as tasting sour, reacting with metals such as calcium, and bases like sodium carbonate. Aqueous acids have a pH of less than 7, where an acid of lower pH is typically stronger, and turn blue litmus paper red...

Approved in the EU.
E514 Sodium
Sodium
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals; its only stable isotope is 23Na. It is an abundant element that exists in numerous minerals, most commonly as sodium chloride...

 sulphates (i) Sodium sulphate (ii)
acid
Acid
An acid is a substance which reacts with a base. Commonly, acids can be identified as tasting sour, reacting with metals such as calcium, and bases like sodium carbonate. Aqueous acids have a pH of less than 7, where an acid of lower pH is typically stronger, and turn blue litmus paper red...

Approved in the EU.
E515 Potassium
Potassium
Potassium is the chemical element with the symbol K and atomic number 19. Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction.Potassium and sodium are...

 Sulphates (i) Potassium Sulphate (ii)
Approved in the EU.
E516 Calcium sulphate Approved in the EU.
E517 Ammonium sulphate improving agent Approved in the EU.
E518 Magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts), (acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

)
firming agent
Firming agent
Firming agents are food additives added in order to precipitate residual pectin, thus strengthening the structure of the food and preventing its collapse during processing.Typical firming agents are:* Calcium carbonate...

E519 Copper(II) sulphate preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

E520 Aluminium sulphate firming agent
Firming agent
Firming agents are food additives added in order to precipitate residual pectin, thus strengthening the structure of the food and preventing its collapse during processing.Typical firming agents are:* Calcium carbonate...

Approved in the EU.
E521 Aluminium sodium sulphate firming agent
Firming agent
Firming agents are food additives added in order to precipitate residual pectin, thus strengthening the structure of the food and preventing its collapse during processing.Typical firming agents are:* Calcium carbonate...

Approved in the EU.
E522 Aluminium potassium sulphate acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E523 Aluminium ammonium sulphate acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E524 Sodium hydroxide acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E525 Potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide
Potassium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula KOH, commonly called caustic potash.Along with sodium hydroxide , this colorless solid is a prototypical strong base. It has many industrial and niche applications. Most applications exploit its reactivity toward acids and its corrosive...

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E526 Calcium hydroxide
Calcium hydroxide
Calcium hydroxide, traditionally called slaked lime, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Ca2. It is a colourless crystal or white powder and is obtained when calcium oxide is mixed, or "slaked" with water. It has many names including hydrated lime, builders lime, slack lime, cal, or...

 (acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

)
firming agent
Firming agent
Firming agents are food additives added in order to precipitate residual pectin, thus strengthening the structure of the food and preventing its collapse during processing.Typical firming agents are:* Calcium carbonate...

Approved in the EU.
E527 Ammonium hydroxide
Ammonium hydroxide
Ammonia solution, also known as ammonium hydroxide, ammonia water, ammonical liquor, ammonia liquor, aqua ammonia, aqueous ammonia, or simply ammonia, is a solution of ammonia in water. It can be denoted by the symbols NH3...

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E528 Magnesium hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide
Magnesium hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Mg2. As a suspension in water, it is often called milk of magnesia because of its milk-like appearance. The solid mineral form of magnesium hydroxide is known as brucite....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E529 Calcium oxide
Calcium oxide
Calcium oxide , commonly known as quicklime or burnt lime, is a widely used chemical compound. It is a white, caustic, alkaline crystalline solid at room temperature....

 (acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

)
improving agent Approved in the EU.
E530 Magnesium oxide
Magnesium oxide
Magnesium oxide , or magnesia, is a white hygroscopic solid mineral that occurs naturally as periclase and is a source of magnesium . It has an empirical formula of and consists of a lattice of Mg2+ ions and O2– ions held together by ionic bonds...

 (acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

)
anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E535 Sodium ferrocyanide
Sodium ferrocyanide
Sodium ferrocyanide is the sodium salt of the coordination compound of formula [Fe6]4-. It is a yellow crystalline solid that is soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol. Despite the presence of the cyanide ligands, sodium ferrocyanide is not especially toxic because the cyanides are tightly...

 (acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

)
anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E536 Potassium ferrocyanide
Potassium ferrocyanide
Potassium ferrocyanide is the inorganic compound with formula K4[Fe6]•3H2O. It is the potassium salt of the coordination complex [Fe6]4-. This salt forms lemon-yellow monoclinic crystals.-Synthesis:...

anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E537 Ferrous hexacyanomanganate anti-caking agent
E538 Calcium ferrocyanide anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E539 Sodium thiosulphate antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

E540 Dicalcium diphosphate (acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

)
emulsifier
E541 Sodium aluminium phosphate
Sodium aluminium phosphate
Sodium aluminium phosphate is a chemical used in food processing. It is synthetically produced from aluminium, phosphoric acid and sodium hydroxide. As a food additive is has the E number E541....

 (i) Acidic (ii) Basic
emulsifier Approved in the EU.
E542 Bone phosphate (Essentiale Calcium Phosphate, Tribasic) anti-caking agent
E543 Calcium sodium polyphosphate emulsifier
E544 Calcium polyphosphate emulsifier
E545 Ammonium polyphosphate
Ammonium polyphosphate
Ammonium polyphosphate is an inorganic salt of polyphosphoric acid and ammonia containing both chains and possibly branching. Its chemical formula is [NH4 PO3]n showing that each monomer consists of an orthophosphate radical of a phosphorus atom with three oxygens and one negative charge...

emulsifier
E550 Sodium
Sodium
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals; its only stable isotope is 23Na. It is an abundant element that exists in numerous minerals, most commonly as sodium chloride...

 Silicates (i) Sodium silicate
Sodium silicate
Sodium silicate is the common name for a compound sodium metasilicate, Na2SiO3, also known as water glass or liquid glass. It is available in aqueous solution and in solid form and is used in cements, passive fire protection, refractories, textile and lumber processing, and automobiles...

 (ii) Sodium metasilicate
anti-caking agent
E551 Silicon dioxide
Silicon dioxide
The chemical compound silicon dioxide, also known as silica , is an oxide of silicon with the chemical formula '. It has been known for its hardness since antiquity...

 (Silica)
anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E552 Calcium silicate
Calcium silicate
Calcium silicate is the chemical compound Ca2SiO4, also known as calcium orthosilicate and sometimes formulated 2CaO.SiO2. It is one of group of compounds obtained by reacting calcium oxide and silica in various ratios e.g. 3CaO.SiO2, Ca3SiO5; 2CaO.SiO2, Ca2SiO4; 3CaO.2SiO2, Ca3Si2O7 and...

anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E553a (i) Magnesium silicate (ii) Magnesium trisilicate
Magnesium trisilicate
Magnesium trisilicate is an inorganic compound that is used as a food additive. The additive is often employed by fast food chains to absorb fatty acids and remove impurities that form in edible oils during the frying process.-Health effects:...

anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E553b Talc
Talc
Talc is a mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate with the chemical formula H2Mg34 or Mg3Si4O102. In loose form, it is the widely-used substance known as talcum powder. It occurs as foliated to fibrous masses, its crystals being so rare as to be almost unknown...

anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E554 Sodium aluminosilicate (sodium aluminium silicate) anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E555 Potassium aluminium silicate anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E556 Calcium aluminosilicate
Calcium aluminosilicate
Calcium aluminosilicate, an aluminosilicate compound with calcium cations, most typically has formula CaAl2Si2O8.As a food additive, it is sometimes designated "E556"....

 (calcium aluminium silicate)
anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E557 Zinc silicate anti-caking agent
E558 Bentonite
Bentonite
Bentonite is an absorbent aluminium phyllosilicate, essentially impure clay consisting mostly of montmorillonite. There are different types of bentonite, each named after the respective dominant element, such as potassium , sodium , calcium , and aluminum . Experts debate a number of nomenclatorial...

anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E559 Aluminium silicate
Aluminium silicate
Aluminium silicate has the chemical formula 2SiO3. It has a density of 2.8 to 2.9 g/cm³, a vitreous lustre, a refractive index of 1.56, a Mohs hardness of 4.5-7.5 , and can have orthorhombic crystallography...

 (Kaolin)
anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E560 Potassium silicate
Potassium silicate
Potassium silicate is a water-soluble and glass-forming silicate salt of general formula K2SiO3 with many common uses for at least a century.-Woodwork protection against fire:...

anti-caking agent
E561 Vermiculite
Vermiculite
Vermiculite is a natural mineral that expands with the application of heat. The expansion process is called exfoliation and it is routinely accomplished in purpose-designed commercial furnaces. Vermiculite is formed by weathering or hydrothermal alteration of biotite or phlogopite...

E562 Sepiolite
Sepiolite
Sepiolite is a clay mineral, a complex magnesium silicate, a typical formula for which is Mg4Si6O152·6H2O. It can be present in fibrous, fine-particulate, and solid forms....

E563 Sepiolitic clay
E565 4-Hexylresorcinol Approved in the EU.
E566 Natrolite-phonolite
E570 Stearic acid
Stearic acid
Stearic acid is the saturated fatty acid with an 18 carbon chain and has the IUPAC name octadecanoic acid. It is a waxy solid, and its chemical formula is CH316CO2H. Its name comes from the Greek word στέαρ "stéatos", which means tallow. The salts and esters of stearic acid are called stearates...

 (Fatty acid)
anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E572
Magnesium stearate
Magnesium stearate, also called octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt, is a white substance which is solid at room temperature. It has the chemical formula . It is a salt containing two equivalents of stearate and one magnesium cation...

Magnesium stearate
Magnesium stearate
Magnesium stearate, also called octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt, is a white substance which is solid at room temperature. It has the chemical formula . It is a salt containing two equivalents of stearate and one magnesium cation...

, calcium stearate
Calcium stearate
Calcium stearate is carboxylate of calcium that is found in some lubricants and surfactants. It is a white waxy powder.-Production and occurrence:Calcium stearate is produced by heating stearic acid, a fatty acid, and calcium oxide:...

 (emulsifier)
anti-caking agent
E574 Gluconic acid
Gluconic acid
Gluconic acid is an organic compound with molecular formula C6H12O7 and condensed structural formula HOCH24COOH. It is one of the 16 stereoisomers of 2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanoic acid....

acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

Approved in the EU.
E575 Glucono delta-lactone
Glucono delta-lactone
Glucono delta-lactone is a naturally-occurring food additive with the E number E575 used as a sequestrant, an acidifier, or a curing, pickling, or leavening agent. It is a lactone of D-gluconic acid. Pure GDL is a white odorless crystalline powder.GDL is commonly found in honey, fruit juices,...

 (acidity regulator
Acidity regulator
Acidity regulators, or pH control agents, are food additives added to change or maintain pH . They can be organic or mineral acids, bases, neutralizing agents, or buffering agents....

)
sequestrant
Sequestrant
A sequestrant is a food additive whose role is to improve the quality and stability of the food products. Sequestrants form chelate complexes with polyvalent metal ions, especially copper, iron and nickel, which serve as catalysts in the oxidation of the fats in the food...

Approved in the EU.
E576
Gluconic acid
Gluconic acid is an organic compound with molecular formula C6H12O7 and condensed structural formula HOCH24COOH. It is one of the 16 stereoisomers of 2,3,4,5,6-pentahydroxyhexanoic acid....

Sodium gluconate
Sodium gluconate
Sodium gluconate is a compound with formula NaC6H11O7. It is the sodium salt of gluconic acid.It has E number E576....

sequestrant
Sequestrant
A sequestrant is a food additive whose role is to improve the quality and stability of the food products. Sequestrants form chelate complexes with polyvalent metal ions, especially copper, iron and nickel, which serve as catalysts in the oxidation of the fats in the food...

Approved in the EU.
E577 Potassium gluconate
Potassium gluconate
Potassium gluconate is a mineral supplement and sequestrant.Potassium gluconate is a loosely bound salt of potassium and gluconic acid. Potassium is essential to life. It is involved with sodium in maintaining the body's acid-base balance and promoting physiological and metabolic processes. It...

sequestrant
Sequestrant
A sequestrant is a food additive whose role is to improve the quality and stability of the food products. Sequestrants form chelate complexes with polyvalent metal ions, especially copper, iron and nickel, which serve as catalysts in the oxidation of the fats in the food...

Approved in the EU.
E578 Calcium gluconate
Calcium gluconate
Calcium gluconate is a mineral supplement.-Hypocalcemia:10% calcium gluconate solution is the form of calcium most widely used in the treatment of hypocalcemia. This form of calcium is superior to calcium lactate, but it only contains 0.93% calcium ion. Calcium gluconate is a salt of calcium and...

firming agent
Firming agent
Firming agents are food additives added in order to precipitate residual pectin, thus strengthening the structure of the food and preventing its collapse during processing.Typical firming agents are:* Calcium carbonate...

Approved in the EU.
E579 Ferrous gluconate food colouring
Food coloring
Food coloring is a substance, liquid or powder, that is added to food or drink to change its color. Food coloring is used both in commercial food production and in domestic cooking...

Approved in the EU.
E580 Magnesium gluconate
Magnesium gluconate
Magnesium gluconate is a compound with formula MgC12H22O14. It is the magnesium salt of gluconic acid.It has E number "E580".-Use in medicine:There are data on the pharmacological properties of magnesium gluconate...

E585 Ferrous lactate
Ferrous lactate
Ferrous lactate, or iron lactate, is a chemical compound consisting of one atom of iron and two lactate anions. It has the chemical formula Fe2. It is used as a food additive with E number E585. It is an acidity regulator and colour retention agent, and is also used to fortify foods with iron....

food colouring
Food coloring
Food coloring is a substance, liquid or powder, that is added to food or drink to change its color. Food coloring is used both in commercial food production and in domestic cooking...

Approved in the EU.
E586 4-Hexylresorcinol antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

E598 Synthetic calcium aluminates
Calcium aluminates
Calcium aluminates are a range of minerals obtained by heating calcium oxide and aluminium oxide together at high temperatures. They are encountered in the manufacture of refractories and cements....

E599 Perlite
Perlite
Perlite is an amorphous volcanic glass that has a relatively high water content, typically formed by the hydration of obsidian. It occurs naturally and has the unusual property of greatly expanding when heated sufficiently...


E600–E699 (flavour enhancers)

Code Name(s) Purpose Status
E620 Glutamic acid
Glutamic acid
Glutamic acid is one of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids, and its codons are GAA and GAG. It is a non-essential amino acid. The carboxylate anions and salts of glutamic acid are known as glutamates...

flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E621 Monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate
Monosodium glutamate, also known as sodium glutamate or MSG, is the sodium salt of glutamic acid, one of the most abundant naturally occurring non-essential amino acids....

(MSG)
flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E622 Monopotassium glutamate
Monopotassium glutamate
Monopotassium glutamate is a compound with formula KC5H8NO4. It is a potassium acid salt of glutamic acid.It has the E number E622 and is used in foods as a flavor enhancer. It is a non-sodium MSG alternative....

flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E623 Calcium diglutamate
Calcium diglutamate
Calcium diglutamate, sometimes abbreviated CDG and also called calcium glutamate, is a compound with formula Ca2. It is a calcium acid salt of glutamic acid. CDG is a flavor enhancer — it is the calcium analog of monosodium glutamate...

flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E624 Monoammonium glutamate
Monoammonium glutamate
Monoammonium glutamate is a compound with formula NH4C5H8NO4. It is an ammonium acid salt of glutamic acid.It has the E number E624 and is used as a flavor enhancer....

flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E625 Magnesium diglutamate
Magnesium diglutamate
Magnesium diglutamate is a compound with formula Mg2. It is a magnesium acid salt of glutamic acid.It has the E number E625 and is used in foods as a flavor enhancer....

flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E626 Guanylic acid flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E627 Disodium guanylate
Disodium guanylate
Disodium guanylate, also known as sodium 5'-guanylate and disodium 5'-guanylate, is a natural disodium salt of the flavor enhancer guanosine monophosphate . Disodium guanylate is a food additive with the E number E627...

, sodium guanylate
flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E628 Dipotassium guanylate
Dipotassium guanylate
Dipotassium guanylate is a compound with formula K2. It is a potassium salt of guanylic acid.As a food additive, it is used as a flavor enhancer and has the E number E628....

flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E629 Calcium guanylate
Calcium guanylate
Calcium guanylate is a compound with formula Ca. It is the calcium salt of guanylic acid.As a food additive, it is used as a flavor enhancer and has the E number E629....

flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E630 Inosinic acid
Inosinic acid
Inosinic acid or inosine monophosphate is a nucleotide monophosphate. Inosinic acid is important in metabolism. It is the ribonucleotide of hypoxanthine and the first nucleotide formed during the synthesis of purine. It is formed by the deamination of adenosine monophosphate, and is hydrolysed...

flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E631 Disodium inosinate
Disodium inosinate
Disodium inosinate is the disodium salt of inosinic acid with the chemical formula C10H11N4Na2O8P. It is used as a food additive and often found in instant noodles, potato chips, and a variety of other snacks.-Use as a food additive:...

flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E632 Dipotassium inosinate flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E633
Calcium inosinate
Calcium inosinate is a calcium salt of the nucleoside inosine. Under the E number E633, it is a food additive used as a flavor enhancer....

Calcium inosinate
Calcium inosinate
Calcium inosinate is a calcium salt of the nucleoside inosine. Under the E number E633, it is a food additive used as a flavor enhancer....

flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E634 Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E635 Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E636
Maltol
Maltol is a naturally occurring organic compound that is used primarily as a flavor enhancer. It is found in the bark of larch tree, in pine needles, and in roasted malt . It is a white crystalline powder that is soluble in hot water, chloroform, and other polar solvents...

Maltol
Maltol
Maltol is a naturally occurring organic compound that is used primarily as a flavor enhancer. It is found in the bark of larch tree, in pine needles, and in roasted malt . It is a white crystalline powder that is soluble in hot water, chloroform, and other polar solvents...

flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

E637 Ethyl maltol
Ethyl maltol
Ethyl maltol is an organic compound that is common flavourant in some confectioneries. It is related to the more common flavorant maltol by replacement of the methyl group by an ethyl group...

flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

E640 Glycine
Glycine
Glycine is an organic compound with the formula NH2CH2COOH. Having a hydrogen substituent as its 'side chain', glycine is the smallest of the 20 amino acids commonly found in proteins. Its codons are GGU, GGC, GGA, GGG cf. the genetic code.Glycine is a colourless, sweet-tasting crystalline solid...

 and its sodium salt
flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E641 L-leucine flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

E642 Lysine hydrochloride flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

E650 Zinc acetate
Zinc acetate
Zinc acetate is the chemical compound with the formula Zn2, which commonly occurs as a dihydrate Zn22. Both the hydrate and the anhydrous forms are colorless solids that are commonly used in chemical synthesis and as dietary supplements. Zinc acetates are prepared by the action of acetic acid on...

flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.

E700–E799 (antibiotics)

Code Name(s) Purpose Status
E700 Bacitracin
Bacitracin
Bacitracin is a mixture of related cyclic polypeptides produced by organisms of the licheniformis group of Bacillus subtilis var Tracy, isolation of which was first reported in 1945....

E701 Tetracyclines
E702 Chlortetracycline
Chlortetracycline
Chlortetracycline is a tetracycline antibiotic, and was the first tetracycline to be identified. It was discovered in 1945 by Dr. Benjamin Duggar working at Lederle Laboratories under the supervision of Dr.Subba Rao...

E703 Oxytetracycline
Oxytetracycline
Oxytetracycline was the second of the broad-spectrum tetracycline group of antibiotics to be discovered.Oxytetracycline works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to produce proteins that are essential to them. Without these proteins the bacteria cannot grow, multiply and increase in numbers...

E704 Oleandomycin
Oleandomycin
Oleandomycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It is synthesized from strains of Streptomyces antibioticus. It is weaker than erythromycin.It used to be sold under the brand name Sigmamycine, combined with Tetracycline, and made by the company Rosa-Phytopharma in France....

E705 Penicillin-G-potassium
E706 Penicillin-G-sodium
E707 Penicillin-G-procaine
E708 Penicillin-G-benzathyne
E710 Spiramycin
Spiramycin
Spiramycin is a macrolide antibiotic. It is used to treat toxoplasmosis. Although used in Europe, Canada and Mexico, spiramycin is still considered an experimental drug in the United States, but can sometimes be obtained by special permission from the FDA for toxoplasmosis in the first trimester of...

s
E711 Virginiamicins
E712 Flavophospholipol
E713 Tylosin
Tylosin
Tylosin is a macrolide-class antibiotic used in veterinary medicine. It has a broad spectrum of activity against gram positive organisms and a limited range of gram negative organisms...

E714 Monensin
Monensin
Monensin is a polyether antibiotic isolated from Streptomyces cinnamonensis. It is widely used in animal feeds.The structure of monensin was first described by Agtarap et al. in 1967, and was the first polyether antibiotic to have its structure elucidated in this way...

E715 Avoparcin
E716 Salinomycin
Salinomycin
Salinomycin is an antibacterial and coccidiostat ionophore therapeutic drug.- Use in cancer :Salinomycin has been shown by Piyush Gupta et al. of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Broad Institute to kill breast cancer stem cells at least 100 times more effectively than another...

E717 Avilamycin

E900–E999 (miscellaneous)

Code Name(s) Purpose Status
E900
Polydimethylsiloxane
Polydimethylsiloxane belongs to a group of polymeric organosilicon compounds that are commonly referred to as silicones. PDMS is the most widely used silicon-based organic polymer, and is particularly known for its unusual rheological properties. PDMS is optically clear, and, in general, is...

Dimethyl polysiloxane (anti-foaming agent) anti-caking agent Approved in the EU.
E901 Beeswax
Beeswax
Beeswax is a natural wax produced in the bee hive of honey bees of the genus Apis. It is mainly esters of fatty acids and various long chain alcohols...

 , white and yellow
glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

Approved in the EU.
E902 Candelilla wax
Candelilla wax
Candelilla wax is a wax derived from the leaves of the small Candelilla shrub native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, Euphorbia cerifera and Euphorbia antisyphilitica, from the family Euphorbiaceae...

glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

Approved in the EU.
E903 Carnauba wax
Carnauba wax
Carnauba , also called Brazil wax and palm wax, is a wax of the leaves of the palm Copernicia prunifera, a plant native to and grown only in the northeastern Brazilian states of Piauí, Ceará, and Rio Grande do Norte. It is known as "queen of waxes" and usually comes in the form of hard yellow-brown...

glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

Approved in the EU.
E904 Shellac
Shellac
Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug, on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. It is processed and sold as dry flakes , which are dissolved in ethyl alcohol to make liquid shellac, which is used as a brush-on colorant, food glaze and wood finish...

glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

Approved in the EU.
E905 Paraffin
Paraffin
In chemistry, paraffin is a term that can be used synonymously with "alkane", indicating hydrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2. Paraffin wax refers to a mixture of alkanes that falls within the 20 ≤ n ≤ 40 range; they are found in the solid state at room temperature and begin to enter the...

s
Approved in the EU.
E905a Mineral oil
Mineral oil
A mineral oil is any of various colorless, odorless, light mixtures of alkanes in the C15 to C40 range from a non-vegetable source, particularly a distillate of petroleum....

anti-foaming agent
E905b Petrolatum
E905c Petroleum wax (i)Microcrystalline wax
Microcrystalline wax
Microcrystalline waxes are a type of wax produced by de-oiling petrolatum, as part of the petroleum refining process. In contrast to the more familiar paraffin wax which contains mostly unbranched alkanes, microcrystalline wax contains a higher percentage of isoparaffinic hydrocarbons and...

 (ii) Paraffin wax
glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

E906 Gum benzoic flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

E907 Crystalline wax glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

E908 Rice bran wax
Rice bran wax
Rice bran wax is the vegetable wax extracted from the bran oil of rice .-Chemical Composition:The main components of rice bran wax are aliphatic acids and higher alcohol esters. The aliphatic acids consist of palmitic acid , behenic acid , lignoceric acid , other wax acids, etc...

glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

E909 Spermaceti wax
Spermaceti
Spermaceti is a wax present in the head cavities of the sperm whale . Originally mistaken for the whales' sperm , spermaceti is created in the spermaceti organ inside the whale's head and connected to its nasal passage...

glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

E910 Wax ester
Wax ester
An ester of a fatty acid and a long-chain alcohol. These oils have similar properties as triglycerides, but are indigestible. They are found in some fish such as orange roughy, oilfish, escolar, black oreo, smooth oreo and other deep water fish. They are also present in marine copepods. Wax...

s
glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

E911 Methyl ester
Ester
Esters are chemical compounds derived by reacting an oxoacid with a hydroxyl compound such as an alcohol or phenol. Esters are usually derived from an inorganic acid or organic acid in which at least one -OH group is replaced by an -O-alkyl group, and most commonly from carboxylic acids and...

s of fatty acid
Fatty acid
In chemistry, especially biochemistry, a fatty acid is a carboxylic acid with a long unbranched aliphatic tail , which is either saturated or unsaturated. Most naturally occurring fatty acids have a chain of an even number of carbon atoms, from 4 to 28. Fatty acids are usually derived from...

s
glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

E912 Montan acid esters glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

Approved in the EU.
E913 Lanolin
Lanolin
Lanolin , also called Adeps Lanae, wool wax or wool grease, is a yellow waxy substance secreted by the sebaceous glands of wool-bearing animals. Most lanolin used by humans comes from domestic sheep...

, sheep wool grease
glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

E914 Oxidized polyethylene wax glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

Approved in the EU.
E915 Esters of colophony glazing agent
Glazing agent
Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appearance or protective coating to foods. Mostly they are based on waxes.Examples are:* Stearic acid * Beeswax * Candelilla wax...

E916 Calcium iodate
Calcium iodate
Calcium iodate is a compound of calcium and iodate anion. Its formula is Ca2. It is used as a dough conditioner. Calcium iodate is an oxidant added to lotions and ointments as an antiseptic and deodorant. It may be formed by the anodic oxidation of calcium iodide....

E917 Potassium iodate
Potassium iodate
Potassium iodate is a chemical compound. It is ionic, made up of K+ ions and IO3- ions in a 1:1 ratio.-Chemical properties:Potassium iodate is an oxidizing agent and as such it can cause fires if in contact with combustible materials or reducing agents...

E918 Nitrogen oxide
Nitrogen oxide
Nitrogen oxide can refer to a binary compound of oxygen and nitrogen, or a mixture of such compounds:* Nitric oxide, also known as nitrogen monoxide, , nitrogen oxide* Nitrogen dioxide , nitrogen oxide...

s
E919 Nitrosyl chloride
Nitrosyl chloride
Nitrosyl chloride is the chemical compound NOCl. It is a yellow gas that is most commonly encountered as a decomposition product of aqua regia, a mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid...

E920 L-cysteine improving agent Approved in the EU.
E921 L-cystine
Cystine
Cystine is a dimeric amino acid formed by the oxidation of two cysteine residues that covalently link to make a disulfide bond. This organosulfur compound has the formula 2. It is a white solid, and melts at 247-249 °C...

improving agent
E922 Potassium persulphate improving agent
E923 Ammonium persulphate improving agent
E924 Potassium bromate
Potassium bromate
Potassium bromate , is a bromate of potassium and takes the form of white crystals or powder.-Uses in baking:Potassium bromate is typically used as a flour improver , strengthening the dough and allowing higher rising. It is an oxidizing agent, and under the right conditions, will be completely...

improving agent
E924b Calcium bromate
Calcium bromate
Calcium bromate, Ca2, is a salt of bromic acid and lime.It may be prepared by the anodic oxidation of calcium bromide.It is used as a flour improver in some countries....

improving agent
E925 Chlorine
Chlorine
Chlorine is the chemical element with atomic number 17 and symbol Cl. It is the second lightest halogen, found in the periodic table in group 17. The element forms diatomic molecules under standard conditions, called dichlorine...

preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

, bleach
Flour bleaching agent
Flour bleaching agent is a food additive added to flour in order to make it appear whiter and to oxidize the surfaces of the flour grains and help with developing of gluten.Usual bleaching agents are:...

, improving agent
E926 Chlorine dioxide
Chlorine dioxide
Chlorine dioxide is a chemical compound with the formula ClO2. This yellowish-green gas crystallizes as bright orange crystals at −59 °C. As one of several oxides of chlorine, it is a potent and useful oxidizing agent used in water treatment and in bleaching....

 (preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

)
bleach
Flour bleaching agent
Flour bleaching agent is a food additive added to flour in order to make it appear whiter and to oxidize the surfaces of the flour grains and help with developing of gluten.Usual bleaching agents are:...

E927a Azodicarbonamide
Azodicarbonamide
Azodicarbonamide, or azobisformamide, is a synthetic chemical with the molecular formula C2H4O2N4. It is a yellow to orange red, odorless, crystalline powder. As a food additive, it is known by the E number E927.-Use as a food additive:...

improving agent
E927b Carbamide (urea) improving agent Approved in the EU.
E928 Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide
Benzoyl peroxide is an organic compound in the peroxide family. It consists of two benzoyl groups bridged by a peroxide link. Its structural formula is [C6H5C]2O2. It is one of the most important organic peroxides in terms of applications and the scale of its production...

 (improving agent)
bleach
Flour bleaching agent
Flour bleaching agent is a food additive added to flour in order to make it appear whiter and to oxidize the surfaces of the flour grains and help with developing of gluten.Usual bleaching agents are:...

E929 Acetone peroxide
Acetone peroxide
Acetone peroxide is an organic peroxide and a primary high explosive. It takes the form of a white crystalline powder with a distinctive bleach-like odor....

E930 Calcium peroxide
Calcium peroxide
Calcium peroxide is a solid peroxide with a white or yellowish color. For all practical purposes calcium peroxide is insoluble in water but will dissolve in acid to form hydrogen peroxide...

 (improving agent)
bleach
Flour bleaching agent
Flour bleaching agent is a food additive added to flour in order to make it appear whiter and to oxidize the surfaces of the flour grains and help with developing of gluten.Usual bleaching agents are:...

E938 Argon
Argon
Argon is a chemical element represented by the symbol Ar. Argon has atomic number 18 and is the third element in group 18 of the periodic table . Argon is the third most common gas in the Earth's atmosphere, at 0.93%, making it more common than carbon dioxide...

packaging gas
Packaging gas
A packaging gas used to pack sensitive materials like food into a modified atmosphere environment. The gas used is usually inert, or of a nature that protects the integrity of the packaged goods, inhibiting unwanted chemical reactions such as food spoilage or oxidation. Some may also serve as a...

Approved in the EU.
E939 Helium
Helium
Helium is the chemical element with atomic number 2 and an atomic weight of 4.002602, which is represented by the symbol He. It is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, non-toxic, inert, monatomic gas that heads the noble gas group in the periodic table...

packaging gas
Packaging gas
A packaging gas used to pack sensitive materials like food into a modified atmosphere environment. The gas used is usually inert, or of a nature that protects the integrity of the packaged goods, inhibiting unwanted chemical reactions such as food spoilage or oxidation. Some may also serve as a...

Approved in the EU.
E940 Dichlorodifluoromethane
Dichlorodifluoromethane
Dichlorodifluoromethane , is a colorless gas, and usually sold under the brand name Freon-12, is a chlorofluorocarbon halomethane , used as a refrigerant and aerosol spray propellant. Complying with the Montreal Protocol, its manufacture was banned in the United States along with many other...

packaging gas
Packaging gas
A packaging gas used to pack sensitive materials like food into a modified atmosphere environment. The gas used is usually inert, or of a nature that protects the integrity of the packaged goods, inhibiting unwanted chemical reactions such as food spoilage or oxidation. Some may also serve as a...

Rarely used
E941 Nitrogen
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is a chemical element that has the symbol N, atomic number of 7 and atomic mass 14.00674 u. Elemental nitrogen is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and mostly inert diatomic gas at standard conditions, constituting 78.08% by volume of Earth's atmosphere...

 (packaging gas
Packaging gas
A packaging gas used to pack sensitive materials like food into a modified atmosphere environment. The gas used is usually inert, or of a nature that protects the integrity of the packaged goods, inhibiting unwanted chemical reactions such as food spoilage or oxidation. Some may also serve as a...

)
propellant Approved in the EU.
E942 Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas or sweet air, is a chemical compound with the formula . It is an oxide of nitrogen. At room temperature, it is a colorless non-flammable gas, with a slightly sweet odor and taste. It is used in surgery and dentistry for its anesthetic and analgesic...

propellant Approved in the EU.
E943a Butane
Butane
Butane is a gas with the formula C4H10 that is an alkane with four carbon atoms. The term may refer to any of two structural isomers, or to a mixture of them: in the IUPAC nomenclature, however, butane refers only to the unbranched n-butane isomer; the other one being called "methylpropane" or...

propellant Approved in the EU.
E943b Isobutane
Isobutane
Isobutane, also known as methylpropane, is an isomer of butane. It is the simplest alkane with a tertiary carbon. Concerns with depletion of the ozone layer by freon gases have led to increased use of isobutane as a gas for refrigeration systems, especially in domestic refrigerators and freezers,...

propellant Approved in the EU.
E944 Propane
Propane
Propane is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula , normally a gas, but compressible to a transportable liquid. A by-product of natural gas processing and petroleum refining, it is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gas torches, barbecues, portable stoves, and residential central...

propellant Approved in the EU.
E945 Chloropentafluoroethane
Chloropentafluoroethane
Chloropentafluoroethane is a chlorofluorocarbon once used as a refrigerant. Its production and consumption has been banned since 1 January 1996 under the Montreal Protocol because of its ozone-depleting potential....

propellant
E946 Octafluorocyclobutane
Octafluorocyclobutane
Octafluorocyclobutane, or perfluorocyclobutane, C4F8, is an organofluorine compound which enjoys several niche applications. It is related to cyclobutane by replacement of all C-H bonds with C-F bonds...

propellant
E948 Oxygen
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...

packaging gas
Packaging gas
A packaging gas used to pack sensitive materials like food into a modified atmosphere environment. The gas used is usually inert, or of a nature that protects the integrity of the packaged goods, inhibiting unwanted chemical reactions such as food spoilage or oxidation. Some may also serve as a...

Approved in the EU.
E949 Hydrogen
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...

packaging gas
Packaging gas
A packaging gas used to pack sensitive materials like food into a modified atmosphere environment. The gas used is usually inert, or of a nature that protects the integrity of the packaged goods, inhibiting unwanted chemical reactions such as food spoilage or oxidation. Some may also serve as a...

Approved in the EU.
E950
Acesulfame potassium
Acesulfame potassium is a calorie-free artificial sweetener, also known as Acesulfame K or Ace K , and marketed under the trade names Sunett and Sweet One. In the European Union, it is known under the E number E950...

Acesulfame potassium
Acesulfame potassium
Acesulfame potassium is a calorie-free artificial sweetener, also known as Acesulfame K or Ace K , and marketed under the trade names Sunett and Sweet One. In the European Union, it is known under the E number E950...

sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

Approved in the EU.
E951 Aspartame
Aspartame
Aspartame is an artificial, non-saccharide sweetener used as a sugar substitute in some foods and beverages. In the European Union, it is codified as E951. Aspartame is a methyl ester of the aspartic acid/phenylalanine dipeptide. It was first sold under the brand name NutraSweet; since 2009 it...

sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

Approved in the EU.
E952 Cyclamic acid and its sodium and calcium salts, also known as Cyclamate
Cyclamate
Sodium cyclamate is an artificial sweetener. It is 30–50 times sweeter than sugar , making it the least potent of the commercially used artificial sweeteners. Some people find it to have an unpleasant aftertaste, but, in general, less so than saccharin or acesulfame potassium...

sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

Approved in the EU.
E953 Isomalt
Isomalt
Isomalt is a sugar substitute, a type of sugar alcohol, used primarily for its sugar-like physical properties. It has only a small impact on blood sugar levels and does not promote tooth decay. It has 2 kilocalories/g, half the calories of sugars...

, Isomaltitol
sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

Approved in the EU.
E954 Saccharin
Saccharin
Saccharin is an artificial sweetener. The basic substance, benzoic sulfilimine, has effectively no food energy and is much sweeter than sucrose, but has a bitter or metallic aftertaste, especially at high concentrations...

 and its sodium, potassium and calcium salts
sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

Approved in the EU.
E955 Sucralose
Sucralose
Sucralose is an artificial sweetener. The majority of ingested sucralose is not broken down by the body and therefore it is non-caloric. In the European Union, it is also known under the E number E955. Sucralose is approximately 600 times as sweet as sucrose , twice as sweet as saccharin, and 3.3...

 (Trichlorogalactosucrose)
sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

Approved in the EU.
E956 Alitame
Alitame
Alitame is an artificial sweetener developed by Pfizer in the early 1980s and currently marketed in some countries under the brand name Aclame. Like aspartame, alitame is an aspartic acid-containing dipeptide. Most dipeptides are not sweet, but the unexpected discovery of aspartame in 1965 led to...

sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

E957 Thaumatin
Thaumatin
Thaumatin is a low-calorie sweetener and flavour modifier. The substance, a natural protein, is often used primarily for its flavour-modifying properties and not exclusively as a sweetener....

 (sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

)
flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E958 Glycyrrhizin
Glycyrrhizin
Glycyrrhizin is the main sweet-tasting compound from liquorice root. It is 30–50 times as sweet as sucrose . Pure glycyrrhizin is odorless....

 (sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

)
flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

E959 Neohesperidine dihydrochalcone (sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

)
flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

Approved in the EU.
E960 Steviol glycoside
Steviol glycoside
The steviol glycosides are responsible for the sweet taste of the leaves of the stevia plant .These compounds range in sweetness from 40 to 300 times sweeter than sucrose.They are heat-stable, pH-stable, and do not ferment...

s
sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

Approved in the EU.
E961 Neotame
Neotame
Neotame is an artificial sweetener made by NutraSweet that is between 7,000 and 13,000 times sweeter than sucrose . In the European Union, it is known by the E number E961...

sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

Approved in 2010
E962 Aspartame-acesulfame salt
Aspartame-acesulfame salt
Aspartame-acesulfame salt is an artificial sweetener marketed under the name Twinsweet. It is produced by soaking a 2-1 mixture of aspartame and acesulfame potassium in an acidic solution and allowing it to crystallize; moisture and potassium are removed during this process...

 (sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

)
stabiliser Approved in the EU.
E965 Maltitol
Maltitol
Maltitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sugar substitute. It has 75-90% of the sweetness of sucrose and nearly identical properties, except for browning. It is used to replace table sugar because it has fewer calories, does not promote tooth decay, and has a somewhat lesser effect on blood glucose...

 (i) Maltitol (ii) Maltitol syrup (sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

) (stabiliser)
humectant
Humectant
A humectant is a hygroscopic substance. It is often a molecule with several hydrophilic groups, most often hydroxyl groups, but amines and carboxyl groups, sometimes esterified, can be encountered as well; the affinity to form hydrogen bonds with molecules of water is crucial here.Since...

Approved in the EU.
E966 Lactitol
Lactitol
Lactitol is a sugar alcohol used as a replacement bulk sweetener for low calorie foods with approximately 40% of the sweetness of sugar. Lactitol is produced by two manufacturers, Danisco and Purac Biochem.-Applications:...

sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

Approved in the EU.
E967 Xylitol
Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol sweetener used as a naturally occurring sugar substitute. It is found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, and can be extracted from various berries, oats, and mushrooms, as well as fibrous material such as corn husks and sugar cane bagasse, and birch...

sweetener
Sugar substitute
A sugar substitute is a food additive that duplicates the effect of sugar in taste, usually with less food energy. Some sugar substitutes are natural and some are synthetic. Those that are not natural are, in general, called artificial sweeteners....

Approved in the EU.
E968 Erythritol
Erythritol
Erythritol is a sugar alcohol that has been approved for use as a food additive in the United States and throughout much of the world. It was discovered in 1848 by British chemist John Stenhouse. It occurs naturally in some fruits and fermented foods...

humectant
Humectant
A humectant is a hygroscopic substance. It is often a molecule with several hydrophilic groups, most often hydroxyl groups, but amines and carboxyl groups, sometimes esterified, can be encountered as well; the affinity to form hydrogen bonds with molecules of water is crucial here.Since...

Approved in the EU.
E999 Quillaia
Quillaia
Quillaia is the milled inner bark or small stems and branches of the soapbark . Other names include China bark extract, Murillo bark extract, Panama bark extract, Quillai extract, Quillaia extract, Quillay bark extract, and Soapbark extract...

 extract
foaming agent
Foaming agent
A foaming agent is a surfactant, which when present in small amounts, facilitates the formation of a foam, or enhances its colloidal stability by inhibiting the coalescence of bubbles....

Approved in the EU.

E1000–E1599 (additional chemicals)

Code Name(s) Purpose Status
E1000 Cholic acid
Cholic acid
Cholic acid is a bile acid, a white crystalline substance insoluble in water , with a melting point of 200-201 °C. Salts of cholic acid are called cholates. Cholic acid, along with chenodeoxycholic acid, is one of two major bile acids produced by the liver where it is synthesized from cholesterol...

emulsifier
E1001 Choline
Choline
Choline is a water-soluble essential nutrient. It is usually grouped within the B-complex vitamins. Choline generally refers to the various quaternary ammonium salts containing the N,N,N-trimethylethanolammonium cation....

 salts
emulsifier
E1100 Amylase
Amylase
Amylase is an enzyme that catalyses the breakdown of starch into sugars. Amylase is present in human saliva, where it begins the chemical process of digestion. Food that contains much starch but little sugar, such as rice and potato, taste slightly sweet as they are chewed because amylase turns...

stabiliser
Stabiliser (food)
A stabiliser is an additive to food which helps to preserve its structure. Typical uses include preventing oil/water emulsions from separating in products such as salad dressing; preventing ice crystals from forming in frozen food such as ice cream; and preventing fruit from settling in products...

, flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

E1101 Protease
Protease
A protease is any enzyme that conducts proteolysis, that is, begins protein catabolism by hydrolysis of the peptide bonds that link amino acids together in the polypeptide chain forming the protein....

s ((i)Protease
Protease
A protease is any enzyme that conducts proteolysis, that is, begins protein catabolism by hydrolysis of the peptide bonds that link amino acids together in the polypeptide chain forming the protein....

, (ii)Papain
Papain
Papain, also known as papaya proteinase I, is a cysteine protease enzyme present in papaya and mountain papaya .-Papain family:...

, (iii)Bromelain
Bromelain
Bromelain is a pineapple extract thought to be effective for reducing swelling , especially of the nose and sinuses, after surgery or injury. It may also be used for a variety of other effects that remain scientifically unconfirmed and not authorized by regulatory authorities like the Food and Drug...

, (iv)Ficin)
stabiliser
Stabiliser (food)
A stabiliser is an additive to food which helps to preserve its structure. Typical uses include preventing oil/water emulsions from separating in products such as salad dressing; preventing ice crystals from forming in frozen food such as ice cream; and preventing fruit from settling in products...

, flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancer
Flavour enhancers are food additives commonly added to food and designed to enhance the existing flavours of products. In western cultures, the 5th taste or umami went unrecognized for a long time. It was believed that flavour enhancers did not add any new taste of their own...

E1102 Glucose oxidase
Glucose oxidase
The glucose oxidase enzyme is an oxido-reductase that catalyses the oxidation of glucose to hydrogen peroxide and D-glucono-δ-lactone. In cells, it aids in breaking the sugar down into its metabolites....

antioxidant
Antioxidant
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of inhibiting the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons or hydrogen from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. In turn, these radicals can start chain reactions. When...

E1103 Invertase
Invertase
Invertase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of sucrose . The resulting mixture of fructose and glucose is called inverted sugar syrup. Related to invertases are sucrases. Invertases and sucrases hydrolyze sucrose to give the same mixture of glucose and fructose...

stabiliser Approved in the EU.
E1104 Lipases
E1105 Lysozyme
Lysozyme
Lysozyme, also known as muramidase or N-acetylmuramide glycanhydrolase, are glycoside hydrolases, enzymes that damage bacterial cell walls by catalyzing hydrolysis of 1,4-beta-linkages between N-acetylmuramic acid and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine residues in a peptidoglycan and between...

preservative
Preservative
A preservative is a naturally occurring or synthetically produced substance that is added to products such as foods, pharmaceuticals, paints, biological samples, wood, etc. to prevent decomposition by microbial growth or by undesirable chemical changes....

E1200 Polydextrose
Polydextrose
Polydextrose is an indigestable synthetic polymer of glucose. It is a food ingredient classified as soluble fiber by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , but not Health Canada. It is frequently used to increase the non-dietary fiber content of food, replace sugar, reduce calories and reduce fat...

stabiliser, thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

, humectant
Humectant
A humectant is a hygroscopic substance. It is often a molecule with several hydrophilic groups, most often hydroxyl groups, but amines and carboxyl groups, sometimes esterified, can be encountered as well; the affinity to form hydrogen bonds with molecules of water is crucial here.Since...

, carrier
Approved in the EU.
E1201 Polyvinylpyrrolidone stabiliser Approved in the EU.
E1202 Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone
Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone
Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone is a highly cross-linked modification of polyvinylpyrrolidone ....

 (carrier)
stabiliser Approved in the EU.
E1203 Polyvinyl alcohol
Polyvinyl alcohol
Polyvinyl alcohol is a water-soluble synthetic polymer .-Properties:...

Approved in 2010
E1204 Pullulan
Pullulan
Pullulan is a polysaccharide polymer consisting of maltotriose units, also known as α-1,4- ;α-1,6-glucan'. Three glucose units in maltotriose are connected by an α-1,4 glycosidic bond, whereas consecutive maltotriose units are connected to each other by an α-1,6 glycosidic bond...

Approved in the EU.
E1400 Dextrin
Dextrin
Dextrins are a group of low-molecular-weight carbohydrates produced by the hydrolysis of starch or glycogen. Dextrins are mixtures of polymers of D-glucose units linked by α- or α- glycosidic bonds....

 (Dextrins, roasted starch white and yellow) (stabiliser)
thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

E1401 Modified starch
Modified starch
Modified starch, also called starch derivatives, are prepared by physically, enzymatically, or chemically treating native starch, thereby changing the properties of the starch. Modified starches are used in practically all starch applications, such as in food products as a thickening agent,...

 ((Acid-treated starch) stabiliser)
thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

E1402 Alkaline modified starch (stabiliser) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

E1403 Bleached starch (stabiliser) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

E1404 Oxidized starch (emulsifier) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

Approved in the EU.
E1405 Enzyme treated starch
E1410 Monostarch phosphate (stabiliser) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

Approved in the EU.
E1411 Distarch glycerol (thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

)
emulsifier
E1412 Distarch phosphate esterified with sodium trimetasphosphate; esterified with phosphorus oxychloride (stabiliser) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

Approved in the EU.
E1413 Phosphated distarch phosphate
Phosphated distarch phosphate
Phosphated distarch phosphate, is a modified resistant starch. It is derived from high amylose maize starch and contains a minimum of 70% dietary fibre...

 (stabiliser)
thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

Approved in the EU.
E1414 Acetylated distarch phosphate (emulsifier) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

Approved in the EU.
E1420 Starch acetate esterified with acetic anhydride (stabiliser) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

Approved in the EU.
E1421 Starch acetate esterified with vinyl acetate (stabiliser) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

E1422 Acetylated Distarch Adipate
Acetylated distarch adipate
Acetylated distarch adipate , is a starch that is treated with acetic anhydride and adipic acid anhydride to resist high temperatures. It is used in foods as a bulking agent, stabilizer and a thickener....

 (stabiliser)
thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

Approved in the EU.
E1423 Acetylated distarch glycerol thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

E1430 Distarch glycerine (stabiliser) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

E1440 Hydroxy propyl starch (emulsifier) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

Approved in the EU.
E1441 Hydroxy propyl distarch glycerine (stabiliser) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

E1442 Hydroxy propyl distarch phosphate (stabiliser) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

Approved in the EU.
E1443 Hydroxy propyl distarch glycerol
E1450 Starch sodium octenyl succinate (emulsifier) (stabiliser) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

Approved in the EU.
E1451 Acetylated oxidised starch (emulsifier) thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...

Approved in the EU.
E1452 Starch aluminium octenyl succinate Approved in the EU.
E1501 Benzylated hydrocarbons
E1502 Butane-1, 3-diol
E1503 Castor oil
Castor oil
Castor oil is a vegetable oil obtained from the castor bean . Castor oil is a colorless to very pale yellow liquid with mild or no odor or taste. Its boiling point is and its density is 961 kg/m3...

resolving agent
E1504 Ethyl acetate
Ethyl acetate
Ethyl acetate is the organic compound with the formula CH3COOCH2CH3. This colorless liquid has a characteristic sweet smell and is used in glues, nail polish removers, and cigarettes...

flavour solvent
E1505 Triethyl citrate
Triethyl citrate
Triethyl citrate is an ester of citric acid. It is a colorless, odorless liquid used as a food additive to stabilize foams, especially as whipping aid for egg white. It is also used in pharmaceutical coatings and plastics....

foam stabiliser Approved in the EU.
E1510 Ethanol
Ethanol
Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, or drinking alcohol, is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid. It is a psychoactive drug and one of the oldest recreational drugs. Best known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, it is also used in thermometers, as a...

E1516 Glyceryl monoacetate flavour solvent
E1517 Glyceryl diacetate or diacetin flavour solvent
E1518 Glyceryl triacetate or triacetin
Triacetin
The triglyceride 1,2,3-triacetoxypropane is more generally known as triacetin and glycerin triacetate. It is the triester of glycerol and acetic acid....

humectant
Humectant
A humectant is a hygroscopic substance. It is often a molecule with several hydrophilic groups, most often hydroxyl groups, but amines and carboxyl groups, sometimes esterified, can be encountered as well; the affinity to form hydrogen bonds with molecules of water is crucial here.Since...

Approved in the EU.
E1519 Benzyl alcohol
Benzyl alcohol
Benzyl alcohol is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CH2OH. The benzyl group is often abbreviated "Bn", thus benzyl alcohol is denoted as BnOH. Benzyl alcohol is a colorless liquid with a mild pleasant aromatic odor. It is a useful solvent due to its polarity, low toxicity, and low vapor...

E1520 Propylene glycol
Propylene glycol
Propylene glycol, also called 1,2-propanediol or propane-1,2-diol, is an organic compound with formula C3H8O2 or HO-CH2-CHOH-CH3...

humectant
Humectant
A humectant is a hygroscopic substance. It is often a molecule with several hydrophilic groups, most often hydroxyl groups, but amines and carboxyl groups, sometimes esterified, can be encountered as well; the affinity to form hydrogen bonds with molecules of water is crucial here.Since...

Approved in the EU.
E1521 Polyethylene glycol
Polyethylene glycol
Polyethylene glycol is a polyether compound with many applications from industrial manufacturing to medicine. It has also been known as polyethylene oxide or polyoxyethylene , depending on its molecular weight, and under the tradename Carbowax.-Available forms:PEG, PEO, or POE refers to an...

 8000
Approved in 2010
E1525 Hydroxyethyl cellulose
Hydroxyethyl cellulose
Hydroxyethyl cellulose is a gelling and thickening agent derived from cellulose. It is widely used in cosmetics, cleaning solutions, and other household products....

thickening agent
Thickening agent
Thickening agents, or thickeners, is the term applied to substances which increase the viscosity of a solution or liquid/solid mixture without substantially modifying its other properties; although most frequently applied to foods where the target property is taste, the term also is applicable to...


See also


External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
x
OK