Searchable reference

Additive names to E numbers

Labels rarely use the name you know. Type anything — "Red 40", "bicarb", "Tween 80", "E621", "birch sugar" — and this will tell you what it really is, what it is doing in the food, and where the caution comes from. Every entry links to its primary source. For the longer discussion of colors, oils, sweeteners and preservatives, see the additives sheet.

• Acesulfame K

  E950Generally fineSweetener

  Usually blended with aspartame or sucralose to round the taste.

  EFSA re-review found no safety concern at permitted use; slight bitterness is the main complaint.

  Also on labels as: ace-K · acesulfame potassium · Sunett

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of acesulfame K (E950)

• Allura Red AC

  E129Worth limitingColor

  The most-used red in US cereals, drinks and sweets.

  Southampton six; animal work suggests gut-barrier and colitis effects at high intake.

  Also on labels as: FD&C Red 40 · Red 40 · CI 16035

  Sources

  • McCann et al., The Lancet (2007) — Southampton study
  • Kwon et al., Nature Communications (2022) — Allura Red and colitis
  • FDA — color additives in food

• Annatto

  E160bWorth limitingColor

  Plant-derived orange used in cheddar, butter and snack coatings.

  Natural does not mean inert — a recognised urticaria trigger and excluded on Feingold-style plans.

  Also on labels as: bixin · norbixin · achiote · CI 75120

  Sources

  • EFSA (2016) — safety of annatto extracts (E160b)

• Ascorbic acid

  E300Generally fineAntioxidant

  Prevents browning and preserves color in juice, cured meat and fruit.

  Harmless in itself; only note is the benzoate interaction in soft drinks.

  Also on labels as: vitamin C · sodium ascorbate (E301) · ascorbyl palmitate (E304)

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of ascorbic acid (E300–304), 2015

• Aspartame

  E951Worth limitingSweetener

  Roughly 200× sugar; diet drinks, yoghurts, tabletop sweetener.

  Must be avoided in PKU. IARC classed it 'possibly carcinogenic' (2B) in 2023 while JECFA kept the ADI unchanged.

  Also on labels as: NutraSweet · Equal · Canderel · phenylalanine source

  Sources

  • IARC/JECFA (2023) — aspartame hazard and risk assessments
  • EFSA (2013) — full risk assessment of aspartame

• BHA

  E320Avoid or ask firstAntioxidant

  Stops fats going rancid in crisps, cereals, gum and lard.

  IARC lists BHA as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) on rodent forestomach data; California lists it under Prop 65.

  Also on labels as: butylated hydroxyanisole

  Sources

  • IARC Monograph 40 — butylated hydroxyanisole
  • NTP Report on Carcinogens — BHA
  • EFSA re-evaluation of BHA (E320), 2011

• BHT

  E321Worth limitingAntioxidant

  Fat antioxidant in cereals, snacks, chewing gum and packaging.

  Weaker evidence than BHA but the same rodent liver and thyroid signals; easy to avoid by choosing tocopherol-preserved products.

  Also on labels as: butylated hydroxytoluene

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of BHT (E321), 2012

• Brilliant Blue FCF

  E133Worth limitingColor

  Blue dye in ice lollies, sweets and mouthwash.

  Better tolerated than the azo dyes, but purely cosmetic — no upside to weigh against.

  Also on labels as: FD&C Blue 1 · Blue 1 · CI 42090

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of Brilliant Blue FCF (E133), 2010
  • FDA — color additives in food

• Caramel color class III & IV

  E150c / E150dWorth limitingColor

  Brown color in colas, soy sauce, gravy and dark bread.

  Class IV can contain 4-MEI, listed under California Proposition 65; drink levels sit far below animal-study doses.

  Also on labels as: ammonia caramel · sulphite ammonia caramel · 4-MEI

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of caramel colors (E150a–d), 2011
  • California OEHHA — Proposition 65 listing for 4-methylimidazole

• Carboxymethylcellulose

  E466Worth limitingEmulsifier & thickener

  Texture and anti-staling agent in low-fat and gluten-free products.

  The other emulsifier in the Chassaing gut-microbiome work; a randomised human trial found microbiota shifts.

  Also on labels as: CMC · cellulose gum · sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

  Sources

  • Chassaing et al., Gastroenterology (2022) — CMC randomised controlled feeding trial

• Carmine

  E120Worth limitingColor

  Insect-derived crimson used in yoghurt, drinks and cosmetics.

  Not vegetarian or vegan; a recognised cause of true IgE allergy including anaphylaxis.

  Also on labels as: cochineal · carminic acid · crimson lake · natural red 4 · CI 75470

  Sources

  • Chung et al. — IgE-mediated anaphylaxis to carmine
  • EFSA re-evaluation of cochineal/carminic acid (E120), 2015

• Carmoisine

  E122Worth limitingColor

  Red dye in jams, yoghurts and marzipan.

  Southampton six; not permitted in the US.

  Also on labels as: azorubine · CI 14720 · food red 3

  Sources

  • McCann et al., The Lancet (2007) — Southampton study
  • EFSA re-evaluation of azorubine/carmoisine (E122), 2009

• Carrageenan

  E407Worth limitingEmulsifier & thickener

  Thickens dairy, plant milks, deli meat and ice cream.

  Degraded (poligeenan) forms are inflammatory in animal models; food-grade forms are debated and often dropped from IBD-friendly diets.

  Also on labels as: Irish moss extract · processed eucheuma seaweed (E407a)

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of carrageenan (E407/E407a), 2018

• Citric acid

  E330Generally fineAcid & mineral salt

  Acidity regulator and preservative in almost everything sour.

  Essentially benign; commercially fermented from Aspergillus rather than citrus, which occasionally bothers mould-sensitive people.

  Also on labels as: sour salt · manufactured citric acid

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of citric acid (E330), 2022

• Disodium inosinate and guanylate

  E631 / E627Worth limitingFlavour enhancer

  Boosts MSG's effect; almost always appears alongside it.

  Purine-derived, so worth limiting if you have gout. Often meat- or fish-derived.

  Also on labels as: IMP · GMP · ribonucleotides (E635)

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of ribonucleotides (E626–635), 2020

• Erythritol

  E968Worth limitingSweetener

  Bulk sweetener in keto and low-sugar products; barely absorbed as energy.

  Very gentle on the gut compared with other polyols, but a 2023 study linked high blood levels to clotting risk.

  Also on labels as: sugar alcohol · polyol

  Sources

  • Witkowski et al., Nature Medicine (2023) — erythritol and cardiovascular risk
  • EFSA opinion on erythritol (E968)

• Erythrosine

  E127Avoid or ask firstColor

  Pink-red dye in glacé cherries and icings.

  Thyroid tumours in high-dose rat studies; FDA revoked its food authorisation in January 2025.

  Also on labels as: FD&C Red 3 · Red 3 · CI 45430

  Sources

  • FDA (Jan 2025) — revocation of FD&C Red No. 3 authorisation
  • EFSA re-evaluation of erythrosine (E127), 2011

• Fast Green FCF

  E143Worth limitingColor

  Sea-green dye used in US tinned peas and sauces.

  Not permitted in the EU; little human data either way.

  Also on labels as: FD&C Green 3 · Green 3 · CI 42053

  Sources

  • FDA — color additives in food

• Guar gum

  E412Generally fineEmulsifier & thickener

  Thickens ice cream, plant milk and gluten-free doughs.

  A galactomannan and a FODMAP in quantity — worth watching on low-FODMAP plans.

  Also on labels as: guaran · cyamopsis gum

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of guar gum (E412), 2017

• Indigo Carmine

  E132Worth limitingColor

  Deep blue dye in sweets, ice cream and pet food.

  Few documented problems beyond rare hypersensitivity, but decoration only.

  Also on labels as: FD&C Blue 2 · Blue 2 · indigotine · CI 73015

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of indigotine (E132), 2014

• Lecithin

  E322Generally fineEmulsifier & thickener

  Everyday emulsifier in chocolate, bread and spreads.

  Well tolerated; soy-derived versions contain negligible soy protein but may still worry severe soy allergy.

  Also on labels as: soy lecithin · sunflower lecithin · phosphatidylcholine

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of lecithins (E322), 2017

• Maltitol

  E965Worth limitingSweetener

  Sugar-alcohol bulking sweetener in 'no added sugar' chocolate.

  Raises blood glucose more than other polyols and is the harshest on the gut — a common keto stall.

  Also on labels as: maltitol syrup · hydrogenated glucose syrup · polyol

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of polyols (E420 and others), 2017

• Monosodium glutamate

  E621Worth limitingFlavour enhancer

  Savoury/umami enhancer in stocks, crisps and ready meals.

  Controlled trials have not reproduced 'Chinese restaurant syndrome'; EFSA set a group ADI in 2017 that ordinary diets can exceed.

  Also on labels as: MSG · glutamate · yeast extract (natural source) · hydrolysed vegetable protein

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of glutamic acid and glutamates (E620–625), 2017
  • Geha et al. — multicentre double-blind MSG challenge

• Parabens

  E214–E219Worth limitingPreservative

  Antimicrobial in some coatings, spreads and supplements.

  Propylparaben lost its EU food ADI over endocrine concerns; still permitted in US food.

  Also on labels as: methylparaben · ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate · propylparaben

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of para-hydroxybenzoates (E214–219), 2004

• Phosphoric acid and phosphates

  E338–E341Avoid or ask firstAcid & mineral salt

  Sharpness in cola; moisture retention in processed meat and cheese.

  Added phosphates absorb far more readily than natural ones — a genuine problem in chronic kidney disease.

  Also on labels as: orthophosphate · sodium phosphate · cola acid

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of phosphates (E338–341, E343, E450–452), 2019
  • National Kidney Foundation — phosphorus and your diet

• Polysorbate 80

  E433Worth limitingEmulsifier & thickener

  Emulsifier in ice cream, sauces and some vaccines.

  Mouse studies show mucus-layer thinning and metabolic change; human data is thin but plausible for IBD.

  Also on labels as: Tween 80 · polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate

  Sources

  • Chassaing et al., Nature (2015) — dietary emulsifiers and gut microbiota
  • EFSA re-evaluation of polysorbates (E432–436), 2015

• Ponceau 4R

  E124Worth limitingColor

  Strawberry-red dye in tinned fruit, sausage and toppings.

  Southampton six; banned in the US and has the lowest ADI of the azo dyes.

  Also on labels as: cochineal red A · CI 16255 · new coccine

  Sources

  • McCann et al., The Lancet (2007) — Southampton study
  • EFSA re-evaluation of Ponceau 4R (E124), 2009

• Potassium chloride

  E508Avoid or ask firstAcid & mineral salt

  Salt replacer in reduced-sodium products.

  Helpful for blood pressure, but dangerous in chronic kidney disease or on potassium-sparing diuretics.

  Also on labels as: low-sodium salt · salt substitute · LoSalt

  Sources

  • Neal et al., NEJM (2021) — salt substitute and stroke trial
  • National Kidney Foundation — potassium and your diet

• Potassium sorbate

  E202Generally finePreservative

  Mould inhibitor in cheese, bread, wine and dips.

  One of the better-tolerated preservatives; occasional contact irritation only.

  Also on labels as: sorbic acid (E200) · calcium sorbate (E203)

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of sorbic acid and sorbates (E200–203), 2015

• Propionates

  E280–E283Worth limitingPreservative

  Keeps mould and rope out of packaged bread.

  Well tolerated by most; a small children's trial reported irritability and disturbed sleep.

  Also on labels as: calcium propionate · propionic acid · sodium propionate

  Sources

  • Dengate & Ruben (2002) — calcium propionate in bread, children's behaviour
  • EFSA re-evaluation of propionic acid and propionates, 2014

• Quinoline Yellow

  E104Worth limitingColor

  Greenish-yellow dye in sweets and smoked fish.

  Southampton six; not permitted in US food.

  Also on labels as: CI 47005 · food yellow 13 · D&C Yellow 10 (non-food US)

  Sources

  • McCann et al., The Lancet (2007) — Southampton study
  • EFSA re-evaluation of Quinoline Yellow (E104), 2009

• Saccharin

  E954Generally fineSweetener

  The oldest artificial sweetener; tabletop packets and soft drinks.

  The 1970s bladder-cancer scare was a rat-specific mechanism and the US warning was withdrawn in 2000.

  Also on labels as: Sweet'N Low · benzoic sulfimide

  Sources

  • NTP — delisting of saccharin from the Report on Carcinogens
  • EFSA re-evaluation of saccharins (E954), 2016

• Sodium benzoate

  E211Worth limitingPreservative

  Stops yeast and mould in acidic drinks, sauces and pickles.

  With vitamin C in the same bottle it can form traces of benzene; also part of the Southampton mixtures.

  Also on labels as: benzoic acid (E210) · benzoate of soda · potassium benzoate (E212)

  Sources

  • McCann et al., The Lancet (2007) — Southampton study
  • FDA — benzene in soft drinks Q&A
  • EFSA re-evaluation of benzoic acid and benzoates (E210–213), 2016

• Sodium bicarbonate

  E500Generally fineAcid & mineral salt

  Raising agent and acidity regulator.

  Harmless in baking amounts; contributes sodium if you are counting it closely.

  Also on labels as: baking soda · bicarb · sodium hydrogen carbonate

  Sources

  • UK FSA — food additives guidance

• Sodium nitrite

  E250Avoid or ask firstPreservative

  Cures bacon, ham and salami; blocks botulism and fixes the pink color.

  Forms nitrosamines under high heat; IARC classes processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen. 'Celery powder' cured meat is still nitrite-cured.

  Also on labels as: nitrite · curing salt · pink salt · sodium nitrate (E251) · celery powder

  Sources

  • IARC Monograph 114 — red and processed meat
  • EFSA re-evaluation of nitrites (E249–250), 2017

• Sorbitol

  E420Worth limitingSweetener

  Sweetener and humectant in sugar-free gum, sweets and syrups.

  A FODMAP: reliably causes bloating and laxation above ~10 g, and a common IBS trigger.

  Also on labels as: glucitol · polyol · sugar alcohol

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of polyols (E420 and others), 2017

• Steviol glycosides

  E960Generally fineSweetener

  Plant-derived, zero-calorie, no glycaemic effect.

  Cleared by EFSA and FDA at typical intakes; purified glycosides only — whole stevia leaf is not approved.

  Also on labels as: stevia · rebaudioside A · reb-M

  Sources

  • EFSA (2010) — safety of steviol glycosides

• Sucralose

  E955Worth limitingSweetener

  600× sugar, heat-stable enough for baking.

  Long-standing safety record, but heating above ~120°C can generate chloropropanols, and gut-microbiome effects are debated.

  Also on labels as: Splenda · trichlorogalactosucrose

  Sources

  • EFSA statement on sucralose (E955)
  • Schiffman et al. (2023) — sucralose-6-acetate genotoxicity

• Sulphur dioxide and sulphites

  E220–E228Avoid or ask firstPreservative

  Preserves wine, dried fruit, prawns and pre-cut potato.

  Can trigger serious bronchospasm in sulphite-sensitive asthmatics; must be declared as an allergen above 10 mg/kg.

  Also on labels as: sulphites · sulfites · sodium metabisulphite · potassium metabisulfite · SO2

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of sulphur dioxide and sulphites (E220–228), 2016
  • FDA — sulfites in food

• Sunset Yellow FCF

  E110Worth limitingColor

  Orange dye in squash, snacks and jellies.

  Southampton six; occasional urticaria and rhinitis reports.

  Also on labels as: FD&C Yellow 6 · Yellow 6 · orange yellow S · CI 15985

  Sources

  • McCann et al., The Lancet (2007) — Southampton study
  • EFSA re-evaluation of Sunset Yellow FCF (E110), 2009

• Tartrazine

  E102Worth limitingColor

  Bright lemon-yellow synthetic azo dye.

  Southampton six — carries the EU hyperactivity warning; rare hives in aspirin-sensitive people.

  Also on labels as: FD&C Yellow 5 · Yellow 5 · CI 19140 · acid yellow 23

  Sources

  • McCann et al., The Lancet (2007) — Southampton study
  • EFSA re-evaluation of tartrazine (E102), 2009
  • UK FSA — food additives guidance

• TBHQ

  E319Worth limitingAntioxidant

  Frying-oil and instant-noodle antioxidant.

  Immune-effect signals in animal work; not permitted in some markets and worth limiting.

  Also on labels as: tertiary butylhydroquinone · tert-butylhydroquinone

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of TBHQ (E319), 2016
  • Vandenberg et al. — immunotoxicity concerns for TBHQ

• Titanium dioxide

  E171Avoid or ask firstColor

  Opaque white used in gum, icing and tablet coatings.

  Banned in EU food since 2022 after genotoxicity could not be ruled out; still allowed in the US and UK.

  Also on labels as: TiO2 · CI 77891

  Sources

  • EFSA (2021) — safety assessment of titanium dioxide (E171)
  • EU Regulation 2022/63 — withdrawal of E171

• Tocopherols

  E306–E309Generally fineAntioxidant

  Vitamin-E based antioxidant — the usual replacement for BHA and BHT.

  A good sign on a label: same job, no synthetic-antioxidant baggage.

  Also on labels as: mixed tocopherols · vitamin E · alpha-tocopherol

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of tocopherols (E306–309), 2015

• Xanthan gum

  E415Generally fineEmulsifier & thickener

  Thickener and gluten replacement in gluten-free baking and sauces.

  Safe for most; a soluble fibre, so large amounts can bloat.

  Also on labels as: corn sugar gum

  Sources

  • EFSA re-evaluation of xanthan gum (E415), 2017

• Xylitol

  E967Avoid or ask firstSweetener

  Tooth-friendly sweetener in gum, mints and toothpaste.

  Fatally toxic to dogs at tiny doses. Also linked to cardiovascular markers in a 2024 study.

  Also on labels as: birch sugar · polyol

  Sources

  • FDA — xylitol and your dog: danger
  • Witkowski et al., European Heart Journal (2024) — xylitol and cardiovascular risk

Educational reference only, not medical advice. Approvals change — always check the label and the current regulator guidance in your country.