E numbers, short for Europe numbers, are codes for substances used as food additives, including those found naturally in many foods, such as vitamin C, for use within the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Commonly found on food labels, their safety assessment and approval are the responsibility of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The fact that an additive has an E number implies that its use was at one time permitted in products for sale in the European Single Market; some of these additives are no longer allowed today.
Having a single unified list for food additives was first agreed upon in 1962 with food colouring. In 1964, the directives for preservatives were added; In 1970 antioxidants were added; In 1974 emulsifiers, stabilisers, thickeners and gelling agents were added as well.
Numbering schemes The numbering scheme follows that of the International Numbering System (INS) as determined by the Codex Alimentarius committee, though only a subset of the INS additives are approved for use in the European Union as food additives. Outside the European continent plus Russia, E numbers are also encountered on food labelling in other jurisdictions, including the Gulf Cooperation Council, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand,Food Standards Australia New Zealand , website Malaysia, Hong Kong, and India.
Colloquial use In some European countries, the "E number" is used informally as a derogatory term for artificial food additives. For example, in the UK, food companies are required to include the "E number(s)" in the ingredients that are added as part of the manufacturing process. Many components of naturally occurring healthy foods and vitamins have assigned E numbers (and the number is a synonym for the chemical component), e.g. vitamin C (E300) and lycopene (E160d), found in carrots. At the same time, "E number" is sometimes misunderstood to imply approval for safe consumption. This is not necessarily the case, e.g. Avoparcin (E715) is an antibiotic once used in animal feed, but is no longer permitted in the EU, and has never been permitted for human consumption. Sodium nitrite (E250) is toxic. Sulfuric acid (E513) is harmful to organic tissues.
Classification by numeric range
E number range Subranges Description 100–199 (full list)Colours 100–107 yellows 110–111 oranges 120–129 reds 130–139 blues and violets 140–149 greens 150–159 browns and blacks 160–199 gold and others 200–299 (full list)Preservatives 200–209 sorbates 210–219 benzoates 220–229 sulfites 230–239 phenols and formates (methanoates) 240–259 nitrates 260–269 acetates (ethanoates) 270–279 lactates 280–289 propionates (propanoates) 290–299 others 300–399 (full list)Antioxidants and acidity regulators 300–305 ascorbates (vitamin C) 306–309 Tocopherol (vitamin E) 310–319 gallates and erythorbates 320–329 lactates 330–337 citrates and tartrates 338–343 phosphates 344–345 citrates 349–359 malates and adipates 360–369 succinates and fumarates 370–399 others 400–499 (full list)Thickeners, stabilisers and 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 and compounds 490–499 others 500–599 (full list)pH regulators and anti-caking agents 500–509 mineral acids and bases 510–519 chlorides and sulfates 520–529 sulfates and hydroxides 530–549 alkali metal compounds 550–559 silicates 570–579 stearates and gluconates 580–599 others 600–699 (full list)Flavour enhancers 620–629 glutamates and guanylates 630–639 inosinates 640–649 others 700–799 (full list)Antibiotics 700–713 900–999 (full list)Glazing agents, gases and sweeteners 900–909 waxes 910–919 synthetic glazes 920–929 improving agents 930–949 packaging gases 950–969 sweeteners 990–999 foaming agents 1000–1599 (full list)Additional additives 1100–1599New chemicals that do not fall into standard classification schemes Not all examples of a class fall into the given numeric range; moreover, certain chemicals (particularly in the E400–499 range) have a variety of purposes.
Full list
The list shows all components that have an E-number assigned, even those no longer allowed in the EU.
E100–E199 (colours) CodeName(s)ColourStatusE100Curcumin (from turmeric)Yellow-orangeApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E101Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), formerly called lactoflavinYellow-orangeApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E101aRiboflavin-5'-PhosphateYellow-orangeApproved in the EU.E102Tartrazine (FD&C Yellow 5)YellowApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E103AlkanninAdditives , Food Standards Australia New ZealandRed-brownE104Quinoline Yellow WSDull or greenish yellowRestricted use approved in the EU. E105Fast Yellow ABYellowForbidden in the EU and US.E106Riboflavin-5-Sodium PhosphateYellowE107Yellow 2GYellowE110Sunset Yellow FCF (Orange Yellow S, FD&C Yellow 6)Yellow-orangeRestricted use approved in the EU.Banned in Norway.Products in the EU require warnings and its use is being phased out. Approved in the US.E111Orange GGNOrangeE120Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmine (Natural Red 4)CrimsonApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E121Citrus Red 2Orange to pinkApproved in the United States only for use in colouring the skin of oranges.E122Carmoisine (azorubine)Red to maroonApproved in the EU.Undergoing a voluntary phase-out in the UK.Currently banned in Canada, Japan, Norway, USA EU currently evaluating health risks.E123Amaranth (FD&C Red 2)RedApproved in the EU. Banned in the United States.E124Ponceau 4R (Cochineal Red A, Brilliant Scarlet 4R)PinkRestricted use approved in the EU.E125Ponceau SX, Scarlet GNRedOnly permitted for externally applied drugs and cosmetics in the US.E126Ponceau 6RRedE127Erythrosine (FD&C Red 3)PinkApproved in the EU. Banned in the US.E128Red 2GRed or pinkNot approved in the EU.E129Allura Red AC (FD&C Red 40)RedApproved in the EU, but banned by individual EU member states: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, and Sweden. Also banned by non-EU countries Norway and Switzerland.Undergoing a voluntary phase out in the UK.Approved in the US.E130Indanthrene blue RSBlueE131Patent Blue VSky blueApproved in the EU. Banned in the US and Australia.E132Indigo carmine (indigotine, FD&C Blue 2)IndigoApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E133Brilliant blue FCF (FD&C Blue 1)BlueApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E140Chlorophylls and ChlorophyllinsGreenApproved in the EU.E141Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllinsGreenApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E142Green SGreenApproved in the EU.E143Fast Green FCF (FD&C Green 3)TurquoiseApproved in the US. Banned in the EU.E150aPlain caramelBrownApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E150bCaustic sulfite caramelBrownApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E150cAmmonia caramelBrownApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E150dSulfite ammonia caramelBrownApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E151Black PN, Brilliant Black BNBlackApproved in the EU.E152Carbon black (hydrocarbon)BlackE153Vegetable carbonBlackApproved in the EU. Banned in the US. E154Brown FK (kipper brown)BrownPreviously approved in the EU for dyeing kippers only: approval withdrawn November 2011.E155Brown HT (chocolate brown HT)BrownApproved in the EU.E160aAlpha-carotene, Beta-carotene, Gamma-caroteneYellow-orange to brownApproved in the EU. Only beta-carotene is approved in the US E160bAnnatto, bixin, norbixinOrangeApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E160cPaprika oleoresin: (i) capsanthin, (ii) capsorubinRedApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E160dLycopeneBright to deep redRestricted use approved in the EU. Approved in the US.E160eBeta-apo-8'-carotenal (C 30)Orange-red to yellowApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E160fEthyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenic acid (C 30)Orange-red to yellowNot approved in the EU.E161aFlavoxanthinGolden-yellow and brownishE161bLuteinOrange-red to yellowApproved in the EU.E161cCryptoxanthinOrange-redE161dRubixanthinOrange-redE161eViolaxanthinOrangeE161fRhodoxanthinPurpleE161gCanthaxanthinVioletNot approved in the EU. Approved in the US.E161hZeaxanthinOrange-redE161iCitranaxanthinDeep violetE161jAstaxanthinRedE162Beetroot Red, BetaninRedApproved in the EU. Approved in the US.E163AnthocyaninspH dependent(Red, green and purple ranges)Approved in the EU.E164SaffronOrange-red[colour?] Approved in the US.E170Calcium carbonate, ChalkWhiteApproved in the EU.E171Titanium dioxideWhiteNo longer approved in the EU as of June 2022, due to the identification of potential carcinogenic effects.Approved in the US.E172Iron oxides and iron hydroxidesBrownApproved in the EU. Approved in the US for sausage casings.E173AluminiumSilver to greyApproved in the EU.E174SilverSilverApproved in the EU.E175GoldGoldApproved in the EU.E180Pigment Rubine, Lithol Rubine BKRedApproved in the EU.E181TanninBrownE182Orcein, OrchilPurple
E200–E299 (preservatives)