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E number
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the food additive codes. For other uses, see E number (disambiguation).
A solution of E101 riboflavin (also known as vitamin B2)
Crystals of E621 monosodium glutamate, a flavour enhancer
E numbers are codes for substances that are permitted to be used as food additives for use within the European Union[1] and Switzerland. The "E" stands for "Europe".[2] They are commonly found on food labels throughout the European Union.[3] Safety assessment and approval are the responsibility of the European Food Safety Authority.[4]
Having a single unified list for food additives was first agreed upon in 1962 with food colouring. In 1964, the directives for preservatives were added, 1970 for antioxidants and 1974 for the emulsifiers, stabilisers, thickeners and gelling agents.[5]
Contents
- 1 Numbering scheme
- 2 Colloquial use
- 3 Classification by numeric range
- 4 Full list
- 4.1 E100–E199 (colours)
- 4.2 E200–E299 (preservatives)
- 4.3 E300–E399 (antioxidants, acidity regulators)
- 4.4 E400–E499 (thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers)
- 4.5 E500–E599 (acidity regulators, anti-caking agents)
- 4.6 E600–E699 (flavour enhancers)
- 4.7 E700–E799 (antibiotics)
- 4.8 E900–E999 (glazing agents and sweeteners)
- 4.9 E1000–E1599 (additional chemicals)
- 5 See also
- 6 Notes
- 7 External links
Numbering scheme[edit]
The numbering scheme follows that of the International Numbering System (INS) as determined by the Codex Alimentarius committee,[6] though only a subset of the INS additives are approved for use in the European Union as food additives. E numbers are also encountered on food labelling in other jurisdictions, including the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Australia, South Africa, New York City, New Zealand[7] and Israel. They are increasingly, though still rarely, found on North American packaging,[8] especially in Canada (Canada wide outside Quebec and the Maritimes) on imported European products.
Colloquial use[edit]
In some European countries, "E number" is sometimes used informally as a pejorative term for artificial food additives, and products may promote themselves as "free of E numbers". This is incorrect, because many components of natural foods have E numbers (and the number is a synonym for the chemical component), e.g. vitamin C (E300) and lycopene (E160d).
Classification by numeric range[edit]
| E number range | Subranges | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 100–199 (full list) Colours |
100–109 | yellows |
| 110–119 | oranges | |
| 120–129 | reds | |
| 130–139 | blues & violets | |
| 140–149 | greens | |
| 150–159 | browns & blacks | |
| 160–199 | gold and others | |
| 200–299 (full list) 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 (full list) Antioxidants & acidity regulators |
300–305 | ascorbates (vitamin C) |
| 306–309 | Tocopherol (vitamin E) | |
| 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 (full list) Thickeners, stabilisers & emulsifiers |
400–409 | alginates |
| 410–419 | natural gums | |
| 420–429 | other natural agents | |
| 430–439 | polyoxyethene compounds | |
| 440–449 | natural emulsifiers | |
| 450–459 | phosphates | |
| 460–469 | cellulose compounds | |
| 470–489 | fatty acids & compounds | |
| 490–499 | others | |
| 500–599 (full list) 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 (full list) Flavour enhancers |
620–629 | glutamates & guanylates |
| 630–639 | inosinates | |
| 640–649 | others | |
| 700–799 (full list) Antibiotics |
700–713 | |
| 900–999 (full list) 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 (full list) Additional chemicals |
1100–1599 | 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[edit]
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)[edit]
| Code | Name(s) | Colour | Status |
| E100 | Curcumin (from turmeric) | Yellow-orange | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E101 | Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), formerly called lactoflavin | Yellow-orange | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E101a | Riboflavin-5'-Phosphate | Yellow-orange | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E102 | Tartrazine (FD&C Yellow 5) | Lemon yellow | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E103 | Alkannin[11] | Red-brown | |
| E104 | Quinoline Yellow WS | Dull or greenish yellow | Approved in the EU.[9] Undergoing a voluntary phase-out in the UK.[citation needed] |
| E105 | Fast Yellow AB | Yellow | |
| E106 | Riboflavin-5-Sodium Phosphate | Yellow | |
| E107 | Yellow 2G | Yellow | |
| E110 | Sunset Yellow FCF (Orange Yellow S, FD&C Yellow 6) | Yellow-orange | Approved in the EU.[9] Banned in Norway.[12] Products in the EU require warnings and its use is being phased out.[citation needed] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E111 | Orange GGN | Orange | |
| E120 | Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmine (Natural Red 4) | Crimson | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E121 | Citrus Red 2 | Dark red | Approved in the United States only for use in colouring the skin of oranges.[13] |
| E122 | Carmoisine (azorubine) | Red to maroon | Approved in the EU.[9] Undergoing a voluntary phase-out in the UK. Currently banned in Canada, Japan, Norway, USA .[citation needed] EU currently evaluating health risks.[citation needed] |
| E123 | Amaranth (FD&C Red 2) | Dark red | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E124 | Ponceau 4R (Cochineal Red A, Brilliant Scarlet 4R) | Red | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E125 | Ponceau SX, Scarlet GN | Red | Only permitted for externally applied drugs and cosmetics in the US.[14][15][16] |
| E126 | Ponceau 6R | Red | |
| E127 | Erythrosine (FD&C Red 3) | Red | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E128 | Red 2G | Red | |
| E129 | Allura Red AC (FD&C Red 40) | Red | Approved in the EU.[9] Banned in Switzerland[citation needed]. Undergoing a voluntary phase out in the UK. Approved in the US.[10] |
| E130 | Indanthrene blue RS | Blue | |
| E131 | Patent Blue V | Dark blue | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E132 | Indigo carmine (indigotine, FD&C Blue 2) | Indigo | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E133 | Brilliant Blue FCF (FD&C Blue 1) | Reddish blue | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E140 | Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins: (i) Chlorophylls (ii) Chlorophyllins | Green | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E141 | Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins (i) Copper complexes of chlorophylls (ii) Copper complexes of chlorophyllins | Green | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E142 | Green S | Green | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E143 | Fast Green FCF (FD&C Green 3) | Sea green | Approved in the US. Banned in the EU. |
| E150a | Plain caramel | Brown | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E150b | Caustic sulphite caramel | Brown | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E150c | Ammonia caramel | Brown | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E150d | Sulphite ammonia caramel | Brown | Approved in the US.[10] |
| E151 | Black PN, Brilliant Black BN | Black | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E152 | Carbon black (hydrocarbon) | Black | |
| E153 | Vegetable carbon | Black | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E154 | Brown FK (kipper brown) | Brown | Approved in the EU for dyeing kippers only, however appears to no longer be used.[17] |
| E155 | Brown HT (chocolate brown HT) | Brown | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E160a | Alpha-carotene, Beta-carotene, Gamma-carotene | Yellow-orange to brown | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E160b | Annatto, bixin, norbixin | Orange | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E160c | Paprika oleoresin, Capsanthin, capsorubin | Red | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E160d | Lycopene | Bright to deep red | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E160e | Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (C 30) | Orange-red to yellow | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E160f | Ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenic acid (C 30) | Orange-red to yellow | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E161a | Flavoxanthin | Golden-yellow and brownish | |
| E161b | Lutein | Orange-red to yellow | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E161c | Cryptoxanthin | Orange-red | |
| E161d | Rubixanthin | Orange-red | |
| E161e | Violaxanthin | Orange | |
| E161f | Rhodoxanthin | Purple | |
| E161g | Canthaxanthin | Violet | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E161h | Zeaxanthin | Orange-red | |
| E161i | Citranaxanthin | Deep violet | |
| E161j | Astaxanthin | Red | |
| E162 | Beetroot Red, Betanin | Red | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E163 | Anthocyanins | pH dependent(Red, green and purple ranges) | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E164 | Saffron | Orange-red[colour?] | Approved in the US.[10] |
| E170 | Calcium carbonate, Chalk | White | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E171 | Titanium dioxide | White | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US.[10] |
| E172 | Iron oxides and iron hydroxides | Brown | Approved in the EU.[9] Approved in the US for sausage casings.[10] |
| E173 | Aluminium | Silver to grey | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E174 | Silver | Silver | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E175 | Gold | Gold | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E180 | Pigment Rubine, Lithol Rubine BK | Red | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E181 | Tannin | Brown | |
| E182 | Orcein, Orchil | Purple |
E200–E299 (preservatives)[edit]
| Code | Name(s) | Purpose | Status |
| E200 | Sorbic acid | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E201 | Sodium sorbate | preservative | |
| E202 | Potassium sorbate | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E203 | Calcium sorbate | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E209 | Heptyl p-hydroxybenzoate | preservative | |
| E210 | Benzoic acid | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E211 | Sodium benzoate | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E212 | Potassium benzoate | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E213 | Calcium benzoate | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E214 | Ethylparaben (ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate) | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E215 | Sodium ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E216 | Propylparaben (propyl para-hydroxybenzoate) | preservative | |
| E217 | Sodium propyl para-hydroxybenzoate | preservative | |
| E218 | Methylparaben (methyl para-hydroxybenzoate) | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E219 | Sodium methyl para-hydroxybenzoate | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E220 | Sulphur dioxide | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E221 | Sodium sulphite | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E222 | Sodium bisulphite (sodium hydrogen sulphite) | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E223 | Sodium metabisulphite | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E224 | Potassium metabisulphite | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E225 | Potassium sulphite | preservative | |
| E226 | Calcium sulphite | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E227 | Calcium hydrogen sulphite (preservative) | firming agent | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E228 | Potassium hydrogen sulphite | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E230 | Biphenyl, diphenyl | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E231 | Orthophenyl phenol | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E232 | Sodium orthophenyl phenol | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E233 | Thiabendazole | preservative | |
| E234 | Nisin | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E235 | Natamycin, Pimaracin | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E236 | Formic acid | preservative | |
| E237 | Sodium formate | preservative | |
| E238 | Calcium formate | preservative | |
| E239 | Hexamine (hexamethylene tetramine) | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E240 | Formaldehyde | preservative | |
| E242 | Dimethyl dicarbonate | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E249 | Potassium nitrite | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E250 | Sodium nitrite | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E251 | Sodium nitrate (Chile saltpeter) | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E252 | Potassium nitrate (Saltpetre) | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E260 | Acetic acid (preservative) | acidity regulator | Approved in the EU.[18] |
| E261 | Potassium acetate (preservative) | acidity regulator | Approved in the EU.[18] |
| E262 | Sodium acetates (i) Sodium acetate (ii) Sodium diacetate (sodium hydrogen acetate) | preservative, acidity regulator | Approved in the EU.[18] |
| E263 | Calcium acetate (preservative) | acidity regulator | Approved in the EU.[18] |
| E264 | Ammonium acetate | preservative | Approved in Australia and New Zealand[19] |
| E265 | Dehydroacetic acid | preservative | |
| E266 | Sodium dehydroacetate | preservative | |
| E270 | Lactic acid (preservative) | antioxidant | Approved in the EU.[18] |
| E280 | Propionic acid | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E281 | Sodium propionate | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E282 | Calcium propionate | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E283 | Potassium propionate | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E284 | Boric acid | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E285 | Sodium tetraborate (borax) | preservative | Approved in the EU.[9] |
| E290 | Carbon dioxide | acidity regulator | Approved in the EU.[18] |
| E296 | Malic acid (acid) | acidity regulator | Approved in the EU.[18] |
| E297 | Fumaric acid | acidity regulator | Approved in the EU.[18] |
E300–E399 (antioxidants, acidity regulators)[edit]
E400–E499 (thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers)[edit]
E500–E599 (acidity regulators, anti-caking agents)[edit]
E600–E699 (flavour enhancers)[edit]
E700–E799 (antibiotics)[edit]
 |
This section does not cite any sources. (December 2015) |
| Code | Name(s) | Purpose | Status |
| E701 | Tetracyclines | antibiotic | |
| E702 | Chlortetracycline | antibiotic | |
| E703 | Oxytetracycline | antibiotic | |
| E704 | Oleandomycin | antibiotic | |
| E705 | Penicillin G potassium | antibiotic | |
| E706 | Penicillin G sodium | antibiotic | |
| E707 | Penicillin G procaine | antibiotic | |
| E708 | Penicillin G benzathine | antibiotic | |
| E710 | Spiramycins | antibiotic | |
| E711 | Virginiamycins | antibiotic | |
| E712 | Flavomycin | antibiotic | |
| E713 | Tylosin | antibiotic | |
| E714 | Monensin A | antibiotic | |
| E715 | Avoparcin | antibiotic | |
| E716 | Salinomycin | antibiotic | |
| E717 | Avilamycin | antibiotic |
E900–E999 (glazing agents and sweeteners)[edit]
E1000–E1599 (additional chemicals)[edit]
See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ "Food labels". Live Well. NHS Choices. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
- ^ "FAQ - What does the E stand for in the food additives known as E numbers". EUFIC. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
- ^ European Directive 95/2/EC on food additives other than colours and sweeteners
- ^ Food Additives and Ingredients Association, no date, Frequently Asked Questions, accessed 6 March 2010
- ^ Food Additives in the European Union
- ^ Codex Alimentarius. "Class Names and the International Numbering System for Food Additives (Ref: CAC/GL #36 publ. 1989, revised 2009, amended 2011)" (PDF). Retrieved 15 December 2011.
- ^ Food Standards Australia New Zealand, website
- ^ See also "Food Additives", Food and Drug Administration website
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by "Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers". United Kingdom: Food Standards Agency. 2010. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w "Summary of Color Additives for Use in United States in Foods, Drugs, Cosmetics, and Medical Devices". United States Food and Drug Administration.
- ^ Additives, Food Standards Australia New Zealand
- ^ "Food additives". CBC News. 29 September 2008. Archived from the original on 2013-09-09.
- ^ 21 C.F.R. 74.302
- ^ 21 C.F.R. 81.10
- ^ 21 C.F.R. 81.30
- ^ 21 C.F.R. 82.304
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt du dv dw dx dy dz ea eb ec ed ee ef eg eh ei ej ek el em Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers, Food Standards Agency, 26 November 2010
- ^ Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code "Standard 1.2.4 - Labelling of ingredients". Retrieved 2011-10-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers, Food Standards Agency, 26 November 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers, Food Standards Agency, 26 November 2010
- ^ a b c d e New additives approved for use, Food Standards Agency, Friday 26 November 2010
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers, Food Standards Agency, 26 November 2010
- ^ Stevia EU approval
- ^ New Zealand Food Safety Authority. "Identifying Food Additives" (PDF). Retrieved 16 January 2010.
External links[edit]
- Codex Alimentarius, the international foods standards, established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1963
- See also their document "Class Names and the International Numbering System for Food Additives" (Ref: CAC/GL #36 publ. 1989, revised 2009, amended 2011)
- Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) publications at the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Food Additive Index, JECFA, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
- E-codes and ingredients search engine with details/suggestions for Muslims
- Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers
- Food Additives in the European Union
- Food Additives, Food Safety, website of the European Union. Includes (a) Lists of authorised food additives (b) Food additives database
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