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E number

Encyclopedia : E : EN : ENU : E number

For the number e (≈ 2.71828) see: e (mathematical constant).
For series of commonly used resistor values, see preferred numbers.
For the Olympus E-500 Digital SLR camera, see Olympus E-500.
E numbers are codes for food additives and are usually found on food labels throughout the European Union. The numbering scheme follows that of the International Numbering System (INS) as determined by the Codex Alimentarius committee. Only a subset of the INS additives are approved for use in the European Union, giving rise to the 'E' prefix.

E numbers are also encountered on food labeling in other jurisdictions, including Australia.

The addition of E-numbered additives to food products has been an issue of ongoing health concern for many years. Many such additives are believed to be linked to disorders including allergies, neurological disorders, bowel disorders, cancer, heart disease and arthritis. In more recent years further concerns have been raised that many of these additives may be of genetically modified (GM) origin. Some E-numbered additives may also be considered to be unsuitable for halal, kosher, vegetarian or vegan diets.

Contents

Classification by numeric range

100-199

Colours

100-109 – yellows
110-119 – oranges
120-129 – reds
130-139 – blues & violets
140-149 – greens
150-159 – browns & blacks
160-199 – others

200-299

Preservatives

200-209 – sorbates
210-219 – benzoates
220-229 – sulphites
230-239 – phenols & formates (methanoates)
240-259 – nitrates
260-269 – acetates (ethanoates)
270-279 – lactates
280-289 – propionates (propanoates)
290-299 – others

300-399

Antioxidants & acidity regulators

300-309 – ascorbates (vitamin C)
310-319 – gallates & erythorbates
320-329 – lactates
330-339 – citrates & tartrates
340-349 – phosphates
350-359 – malates & adipates
360-369 – succinates & fumarates
370-399 – others

400-499

Thickeners, stabilisers & emulsifiers

400-409 – alginates
410-419 – natural gums
420-429 – other natural agents
430-439 – polyoxythene compounds
440-449 – natural emulsifiers
450-459 – phosphates
460-469 – cellulose compounds
470-489 – fatty acids & compounds
490-499 – others

500-599

pH regulators & anti-caking agents

500-509 – mineral acids & bases
510-519 – chlorides & sulphates
520-529 – sulphates & hydroxides
530-549 – alkali metal compounds
550-559 – silicates
570-579 – stearates & gluconates
580-599 – others

600-699

Flavour enhancers

620-629 – glutamates
630-639 – inosinates
640-649 – others

900-999

Miscellaneous

900-909 – waxes
910-919 – synthetic glazes
920-929 –  improving agents
930-949 – packaging gases
950-969 – sweeteners
990-999 – foaming agents

1100-1599

Additional chemicals

New chemicals that don't 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.

Abbreviations used in this article

Full list

E100–E199 (colours)

E200–E299 (preservatives)

E300–E399 (antioxidants, acidity regulators)

E400–E499 (thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers)

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

E600–E699 (flavour enhancers)

E900–E999 (miscellaneous)

E1000–E1999 (additional chemicals)

Note

See also

For a list of words with definitions, see the in Wiktionary, the free dictionary

External links

 

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