E-numbers: which ones can I eat?
Joep Rovers
Founder Elvou | August 26, 2024
What are E-numbers?
E numbers are additives approved by the European Union that are used to change the properties of food and other foods. Although these additives are generally considered safe by the EU, that does not mean they are always healthy. Thereby, everyone reacts differently to certain e-numbers, combining e-numbers and ingesting excessive amounts of e-numbers. This is not always without risk. Our bodies often let us know that fresh produce tastes better, which is why it is wise to choose foods without harmful additives.
Are all E numbers bad?
Not all E numbers are bad. Some are of natural origin and can even be beneficial to your health. To find out which e-numbers are bad, we have put an overview below, classifying all e-numbers. In it, green means that it is practically harmless to the human body, orange indicates that it should only be consumed in very limited amounts, and red means that it is best avoided. The list was compiled from a very critical perspective, so if there is any doubt, an additive has been placed in a worse category.
E numbers are divided into the following groups:
- E100-199: colorants
- E200-299: Preservatives/Food acids
- E300-399: Antioxidants
- E400-499: Emulsifiers
- E500-599: Miscellaneous additives
- E600-699: Flavor enhancers
- E700-799: Preservatives
The E number overview
E100-199: colorants
Dyes are used to color or enhance the colors of products.
| Origin | Target | E number | Name | Comments |
| Extraction from turmeric (Curcuma longa) | Yellow dye | E100 | Curcumin | |
| Different types of yeasts | Yellow dye | E101 | Riboflavin | Other name: vitamin B2 |
| Synthetic | Yellow dye | E102 | Tartrazine | The ADI is up to 7.5 mg/kg body weight. May cause reactions in a small group of people. |
| Root of the alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria) | Yellow dye | E103 | Alkannin | Banned since 1984 |
| Synthetic | Yellow dye | E104 | Quinoline Yellow | |
| Different types of yeasts | Yellow dye | E106 | sodium riboflavin-5′-phosphate | |
| Synthetic | Yellow dye | E107 | Yellow 2G | |
| Synthetic | Yellow dye | E110 | Solar Yellow FCF | |
| A scale insect species | Red dye | E120 | Cochineal | |
| Red dye | E121 | Citrus red 2 | Carcinogenic, no longer authorized in the EU | |
| Synthetic | Red dye | E122 | Crimson | |
| Synthetic | Red dye | E123 | Amaranth | |
| Synthetic | Red dye | E124 | Cochineal Red A | |
| E125 | Ponceau SX | |||
| Synthetic | Red dye | E127 | Erythrosine | |
| Synthetic | Red dye | E128 | Red 2G | |
| Synthetic | Red dye | E129 | Allura red | |
| Synthetic | Blue dye | E131 | Patent blue V | |
| Synthetic | Blue dye | E132 | Indigotine | |
| Synthetic | Blue dye | E133 | Brilliant Blue FCF | |
| Natural dye, leafy green | Dark green dye | E140 | Chlorophyll | |
| Semi-synthetic | Dark green dye | E141 | Chlorophyll copper complexes | |
| Synthetic | Green dye | E142 | Brilliant acid green BS | |
| Green dye | E143 | Fast Green FCF | ||
| Burnt sugar | Brown dye | E150a | Caramel dye | Possibly carcinogenic in large amounts(source). |
| Burnt sugar | Brown dye | E150b | Alkali sulfite caramel | Possibly carcinogenic in large amounts(source). |
| Burnt sugar | Brown dye | E150c | Ammonia Caramel | Possibly carcinogenic in large amounts(source). May cause intestinal distress. |
| Burnt sugar | Brown dye | E150d | Sulfite ammonia caramel | Possibly carcinogenic in large amounts(source). May cause intestinal distress. |
| Synthetic | Black dye | E151 | Brilliant Black BN | |
| Semi-natural dye | Black dye | E153 | Carbon | |
| Synthetic | Brown dye | E154 | Brown FK | |
| Synthetic | Brown dye | E155 | Chocolate brown HT | |
| Various plant sources/synthetic | Orange/yellow dye | E160a | Carotene | |
| The tropical anatto tree (Bixa orellana) | Orange/yellow dye | E160b | Annatto | |
| Peppers | Orange-red dye | E160c | Paprika extract | |
| Tomatoes | Red dye | E160d | Lycopene | If genetically modified orange, otherwise green. |
| Synthetic from ß-carotene | Orange dye | E160e | Beta-apo-8′-carotenal | |
| Synthetic from ß-carotene | Orange dye | E160f | Ethyl ester of beta-apo-8′-carotenic acid | |
| Various plant sources or synthetic | Yellow, orange to red dyes | E161 | Xanthophylls | |
| Natural from buttercup | Yellow dye | E161a | Flavoxanthin | Banned in Switzerland. |
| Natural | Yellow dye | E161b | Lutein | |
| Natural | Yellow dye | E161c | Kryptoxanthin | Banned in Switzerland. |
| Natural from roses or rose hip | Orange-red dye | E161d | Rubixanthin | Carotenoid. |
| Natural from violets | Orange dye | E161e | Violoxanthin | Carotenoid. |
| Natural from Yew | Purple dye | E161f | Rodhoxanthin | Carotenoid. |
| Mostly synthetic, sometimes natural | Yellow dye | E161g | Canthaxanthin | Carotenoid. Added to chicken feed to make egg yolks more yellow. |
| Mostly synthetic, sometimes natural | Yellow dye | E161h | Canthaxanthin | Carotenoid. Added to chicken feed to make egg yolks more yellow. |
| Mostly synthetic, sometimes natural | Orange dye | E161i | Citranaxanthin | Carotenoid. The synthetic variety is often added to chicken feed. |
| Red beets | Red/purple dye | E162 | Beet Red | |
| Red cabbage and other plants | Red, purple or blue dyes | E163 | Anthocyanins | |
| Mineral, lime | White dye | E170 | Calcium carbonate | |
| Mineral | White dye | E171 | Titanium dioxide | Possibly carcinogenic in large quantities or inhalation |
| Ores or minerals | black, red, orange or brown dye | E172 | Iron oxides | |
| Bauxite ore | Metallic dye | E173 | Aluminum | |
| Silver ores | Metallic dye | E174 | Silver | |
| Different ores | Metallic dye | E175 | Gold | |
| Synthetic from aminonaphtholcarboxylic acid | Red dye | E180 | Rubis pigment | |
| Various plants, including the oak tree | Yellow-white to brown powder | E181 | Tannic acid | |
| E182 | Orchil, orceine (litmus) |
E200-299: Preservatives/Food acids
Preservatives are added to make products last longer. Nutritive acids have the purpose of changing the pH (acidity) that allows the product to have a longer shelf life, as well as preserving color.
| Origin | Target | E number | Name | Comments |
| Natural (rowanberry) or synthetic | Preservative against fungi and yeasts | E200 | Sorbic acid | May cause skin irritation. |
| Synthetic | Preservative | E201 | Sodium sorbate | Similar to E200 |
| Synthetic | Preservative | E202 | Potassium sorbate | Similar to E200 |
| Synthetic | Preservative | E203 | Calcium sorbate | Similar to E200 |
| Synthetic | Preservative against fungi and bacteria | E210 | Benzoic acid | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against yeasts and bacteria | E211 | Sodium benzoate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against yeasts and bacteria | E212 | Potassium benzoate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against yeasts and bacteria | E213 | Calcium benzoate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against yeasts, fungi, bacteria | E214 | Ethyl 4-hydroxibenzoate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against yeasts, fungi, bacteria | E215 | Ethyl 4-hydroxibenzoate sodium salt | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against yeasts, fungi, bacteria | E216 | Propyl 4-hydroxibenzoate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against yeasts, fungi, bacteria | E217 | Propyl 4-hydroxibenzoate sodium salt | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against yeasts and molds | E218 | Methyl 4-hydroxibenzoate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against yeasts and molds | E219 | Methyl 4-hydroxibenzoate sodium salt | |
| Naturally occurring gas | Preservative, bleaching agent, dough improver | E220 | Sulfur dioxide | |
| Synthetic | Against microorganisms, Antioxidant, dough improvement | E221 | Sodium sulfite | |
| Synthetic | Preservative, Antioxidant, bleaching agent | E222 | Sodium bisulfite | |
| Synthetic | Preservative, Antioxidant, bleaching agent | E223 | Sodium metabisulfite | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against microorganisms | E224 | Potassium metabisulfite | |
| Synthetic | Preservative | E225 | Potassium sulfite | |
| Synthetic | Preservative | E226 | Calcium sulfite | |
| Synthetic | Preservative | E227 | Calcium bisulfite | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against microorganisms | E228 | Potassium bisulfite | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against mold | E230 | Biphenyl | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against fungi and bacteria | E231 | 2-Hydroxibiphenyl | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against mold | E232 | Sodium ortho-phenylphenolate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against mold | E233 | Thiabendazole | |
| Produced by Lactococcus lactis | Preservative against fungi and bacteria | E234 | Nisine | |
| Produced by the fungus Streptomyces | Preservative, especially against fungi | E235 | Pimaricin | |
| Naturally occurring | Antibacterial preservative, flavor enhancer | E236 | Formic acid | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against bacteria | E237 | Sodium formate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against bacteria | E238 | Calcium formate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against mold | E239 | Hexamine | |
| Synthetic | Disinfectant against bacteria | E240 | Formaldehyde | |
| Synthetic | Sterilizing cold soft drinks | E242 | Dimethyldicarbonate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against fungi and bacteria | E243 | Ethyllauroylarginate | In large quantities unfavorable for white blood cells |
| Natural | Against botulism, prevents browning of meat | E249 | Potassium Nitrite | |
| Natural | Against botulism, prevents browning of meat | E250 | Sodium Nitrite | |
| Natural | Against bacteria, prevents browning of meat | E251 | Sodium nitrate | |
| Natural | Against botulism, prevents browning of meat | E252 | Potassium nitrate | |
| Natural | Against bacteria, flavoring | E260 | Acetic acid | |
| Synthetic | Prevents discoloration of food products | E261 | Sodium acetate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against fungi and bacteria | E262 | Sodium diacetate | |
| Synthetic | Antibacterial preservative, stabilizer | E263 | Calcium acetate | |
| Synthetic | Antibacterial preservative, stabilizer | E264 | Ammonium acetate | |
| Natural | Anti-yeast preservative, flavoring agent | E270 | Lactic acid | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against some types of fungi | E280 | Propionic acid | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against 3 types of fungi | E281 | Sodium propionate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against 3 types of fungi | E282 | Calcium propionate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative against mold | E283 | Potassium propionate | |
| Synthetic | Preservative | E284 | Boric Acid | |
| Synthetic | Preservative | E285 | Sodium tetraborate | |
| Naturally occurring gas | Preservative, refrigerant, "prick" in lemonade | E290 | Carbonic acid gas | |
| Synthetic/natural | Feed acid | E296 | Malic Acid | May be GM |
| Synthetic | Feed acid | E297 | Fumaric acid |
E300-399: Antioxidants
Antioxidants make products last longer by increasing their resistance to oxygen (oxidation).
| Origin | Target | E-Number | name | Comments |
| Naturally occurring | Vitamin, Antioxidant, prevents browning | E300 | Ascorbic acid | |
| Synthetic from ascorbic acid and table salt | Vitamin, Antioxidant, prevents browning | E301 | Sodium ascorbate | |
| Synthetic from ascorbic acid and calcium | Antioxidant, stabilizer and as vitamin C | E302 | Calcium ascorbate | |
| Synthetic | Antioxidant against rancidity of fats | E304 | Ascorbyl palmitate | |
| Natural | Vitamin and Antioxidant | E306 | Tocopherol extracts | |
| Natural or synthetic | Vitamin and Antioxidant | E307 | alpha-tocopherol | |
| Natural or synthetic | Vitamin and Antioxidant | E308 | gamma-tocopherol | |
| Natural or synthetic | Vitamin and Antioxidant | E309 | delta-tocopherol | |
| Synthetic | Antioxidant | E310 | Propyl gallate | |
| Synthetic | Antioxidant | E311 | Octyl gallate | |
| Synthetic | Antioxidant | E312 | Dodecyl gallate | |
| Synthetic | Antioxidant | E315 | Erythorbic acid | Synthetic vitamin C with only 1/20 the efficacy |
| Synthetic | Antioxidant | E316 | Sodium erythorbate | Synthetic vitamin C with only 1/20 the efficacy |
| Synthetic | Antioxidant | E319 | Butylhydroquinone | Applied in in oils and fats. |
| Synthetic | Antioxidant | E320 | BHA - Butyl hydroxianisole | |
| Synthetic | Antioxidant | E321 | BHT - Butyl hydroxitoluene | Hormone-disrupting effects identified. |
| Natural | Antioxidant, emulsifier or anti-foaming agent | E322 | Lecithin | Often extracted from soybeans by hexane |
| Synthetic | Moisture binder | E325 | Sodium lactate | |
| Synthetic | Salt of lactic acid | E326 | Potassium lactate | |
| Synthetic | Salt of lactic acid | E327 | Calcium lactate | |
| Natural or synthetic | Acidifier | E330 | Citric acid | Mostly synthesized mbv GM yeast |
| Semi-synthetic salt of citric acid (E330) | E331a | Sodium hydrogen citrate | ||
| Semi-synthetic salt of citric acid (E330) | E331b | Disodium citrate | ||
| Semi-synthetic salt of citric acid (E330) | E331c | Trisodium citrate | ||
| Semi-synthetic salt of citric acid (E330) | E332a | Potassium dihydrogen citrate | ||
| Semi-synthetic salt of citric acid (E330) | E332b | Trikalium citrate | ||
| Semi-synthetic salt of citric acid (E330) | E333a | Calcium hydrogen citrate | ||
| Semi-synthetic salt of citric acid (E330) | E333b | Di-calcium citrate | ||
| Semi-synthetic salt of citric acid (E330) | E333c | Calcium citrate | ||
| Natural acid | E334 | Tartaric Acid | ||
| Semi-synthetic salt of tartaric acid (E334) | E335a | Sodium hydrogen tartrate | ||
| Semi-synthetic salt of tartaric acid (E334) | E335b | Disodium tartrate | ||
| Semi-synthetic salt of tartaric acid (E334) | E336a | Potassium hydrogen tartrate | ||
| Semi-synthetic salt of tartaric acid (E334) | E336b | Potassium tartrate | ||
| Semi-synthetic salt of tartaric acid (E334) | E337 | Sodium potassium tartrate | ||
| Natural acid, synthetically prepared | E338 | Phosphoric acid | ||
| Salt of phosphoric acid (E338) | E339a | Sodium dihydrogen phosphate | ||
| Salt of phosphoric acid (E338) | E339b | Disodium hydrogen phosphate | ||
| Salt of phosphoric acid (E338) | E339c | Trisodium phosphate | ||
| Salt of phosphoric acid (E338) | E340a | Potassium dihydrogen phosphate | ||
| Salt of phosphoric acid (E338) | E340b | Potassium hydrogen phosphate | ||
| Salt of phosphoric acid (E338) | E340c | Trikalium phosphate | ||
| Salt of phosphoric acid (E338) | E341a | Monocalcium phosphate | ||
| Salt of phosphoric acid (E338) | E341b | Calcium hydrogen phosphate | ||
| Salt of phosphoric acid (E338) | E341c | Tricalcium diphosphate | ||
| Salt of phosphoric acid (E338) | E343 | Magnesium phosphate | ||
| Salt of malic acid | E350 | Sodium malate and sodium hydrogen malate | ||
| Salt of malic acid | E351 | Potassium malate and Potassium hydrogen malate | ||
| Salt of malic acid | E352 | Calcium malate and Calcium hydrogen malate | ||
| Natural acid | E353 | Meta-tartaric acid | ||
| Salt of tartaric acid (E334) | E354 | Calcium tartrate | ||
| Natural acid | E355 | Adipic acid | ||
| Natural acid | E363 | Succinic acid | ||
| Synthetic acid | E370 | 1,4-Heptonolactone | ||
| Natural or synthetic | Synthetic acid | E375 | Nicotinic acid | may cause dilation of blood vessels and redness of skin |
| Semi-synthetic salt of citric acid (E330) | E380 | Triammonium citrate | ||
| Synthetic salt of citric acid (E330) | E381 | Ammonium ferric citrate | ||
| synthetic salt | E385 | Calcium EDTA |
E400-499: Emulsifiers
Emulsifiers change the texture of a product and allow two originally incompatible substances to be mixed together.
| Origin | Target | E number | Name |
| Thickener | E400 | Alginic acid | |
| Salt of alginic acid (E400) | E401 | Sodium alginate | |
| Salt of alginic acid (E400) | E402 | Potassium alginate | |
| Salt of alginic acid (E400) | E403 | Ammonium alginate | |
| Salt of alginic acid (E400) | E404 | Calcium alginate | |
| Alginic acid ester (E400) | E405 | Propylene glycol alginate | |
| Natural | Thickener | E406 | Agar-Agar |
| Natural | Thickener | E407 | Carrageenan |
| Natural | Thickener | E408 | Furcelleran |
| Natural | Thickener | E410 | Locust bean gum |
| Natural | Thickener | E412 | Gurapit flour |
| Natural | Thickener | E413 | Tragacanth |
| Natural | Thickener | E414 | Arabic Gum |
| Natural | Thickener | E415 | Xanthan gum |
| Natural | Thickener | E416 | Karayagom |
| Natural | Thickener | E417 | Taragom |
| Natural | Thickener | E418 | Gellangom |
| Natural sugar alcohol | E420 | Sorbitol | |
| Natural sugar alcohol | E421 | Mannitol | |
| Natural alcohol | E422 | Glycerol | |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifier | E430 | Polyoxyethylene(8)stearate |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifier | E431 | Polyoxyethylene(40)stearate |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifier | E432 | Tween 20 |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifier | E433 | Polysorbate 80 |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifier | E434 | Tween 40 |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifier | E435 | Tween 60 |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifier | E436 | Tween 65 |
| Natural | Thickener | E440a | Pectin |
| Synthetic | Prepared from pectin | E440b | Laminated pectin |
| Synthetic | Synthetic emulsifiers | E442 | Ammonium phosphatides |
| Synthetic | Stabilizer | E445 | Clycerolester |
| Synthetic | Salt | E450a | Disodium dihydrogen diphosphate |
| Synthetic | Salt | E450a | Trisodium diphosphate |
| Synthetic | Salt | E450a | Tetrasodium diphosphate |
| Synthetic | Salt | E450a | Tetrakalium diphosphate |
| Synthetic | Salt | E450b | Pentasodium triphosphate |
| Synthetic | Salt | E450b | Pentakalium triphosphate |
| Synthetic | Salt | E450c | Sodium polyphosphate |
| Synthetic | Salt | E450c | Potassium polyphosphate |
| Synthetic stabilizers | E452, E452I-E452iv | Polyphosphates | |
| Natural polymer, wood dust | E460 | Microcrystalline Cellulose | |
| Natural polymer, wood dust | E460 | Cellulose | |
| Prepared from cellulose (E460) | E461 | Methylcellulose | |
| Prepared from cellulose (E460) | E463 | Hydroxypropyl cellulose | |
| Prepared from cellulose (E460) | E464 | Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose | |
| Prepared from cellulose (E460) | E465 | Methylethylcellulose | |
| Prepared from cellulose (E460) | E466 | Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose | |
| Fatty acids | Salts of fats | E470 | Fatty acid salts |
| Fatty acids | Type of fat | E471 | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifiers | E472a | Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifiers | E472b | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids esterified with lactic acid |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifiers | E472c | Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifiers | E472d | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, esterified with tartaric acid |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifiers | E472e | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids esterified with acetic acid derivatives |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifiers | E472f | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids esterified with acetic and tartaric acids |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifiers | E473 | Sugar esters |
| Combination of sugar with fatty acids. | Synthetic emulsifiers | E474 | Sugar glycerides |
| Mixture of lactic acid and stearic acid | Synthetic emulsifiers | E481/482 | Sodium/Calcium stearoyl lactylate |
| Mixture of tartaric acid and stearic acid | Synthetic emulsifiers | E483 | Stearyl tartrate |
| Mixture of citric acid and stearic acid | Synthetic emulsifiers | E484 | Stearyl citrate |
| Fatty acids | Synthetic emulsifiers | E491-495 | Compounds of sorbitol (a vegetable substance) with various fatty acids |
E500-599: Miscellaneous additives
This group consists of acidity regulators, anti-caking agents and raising agents. Acidity regulators control that the acidity is not too high, anti-caking agents keep clumping from occurring, and raising agents make bread rise faster.
| Target | E number | Name | Comments |
| base | E500 | Soda ash | |
| base | E500a | Sodium hydrogen carbonate | |
| base | E501 | Potassium carbonate | |
| base | E503 | Ammonium carbonate | |
| base, anti-clumping agent | E504 | Magnesium carbonate | |
| source of iron | E505 | Iron carbonate | |
| Natural acid | E507 | Hydrochloric acid | |
| salt | E508 | Potassium chloride | |
| metal ion binder | E509 | Calcium chloride | |
| flavoring, dough improver | E510 | Ammonium chloride | |
| firming agent | E511 | Magnesium chloride | |
| Acid | E513 | Sulfuric acid | |
| acid | E514 | Sodium sulfate | |
| salt substitute | E515 | Potassium sulfate | |
| firming agent | E516 | Calcium sulfate | |
| magnesium source | E518 | Magnesium sulfate | |
| firming agent | E520 | Aluminum sulfate | |
| firming agent | E521 | Aluminum sodium sulfate | |
| raising agent | E523 | Aluminum ammonium sulfate | |
| base | E524 | Sodium hydroxide | |
| base | E525 | Potassium hydroxide | |
| base | E526 | Calcium hydroxide | |
| base | E527 | Ammonia | |
| base | E528 | Magnesium hydroxide | |
| base | E529 | Calcium oxide | |
| base, anti-clumping agent | E530 | Magnesium oxide | |
| anti-caking agent | E535 | Sodium ferrocyanide | |
| anti-caking agent | E536 | Potassium ferrocyanide | |
| anti-caking agent | E537 | Ferrohexacyanomanganate | |
| raising agent | E540 | Dicalcium diphosphate | |
| raising agent | E541 | Acid sodium aluminum phosphate | |
| smelting salt | E541 | Basic sodium aluminum phosphate | |
| anti-caking agent | E542 | Bone meal | |
| Stabilizer | E543 | Sodium calcium polyphosphate | |
| Emulsifier | E544 | Calcium polyphosphate | |
| Emulsifier | E545 | Ammonium polyphosphates | |
| emulsifier | E546 | Dimagnesium diphosphate | |
| anti-caking agent | E550 | Sodium silicate | |
| anti-caking agent | E551 | Silicon dioxide | |
| anti-caking agent | E552 | Calcium silicate | |
| anti-caking agent | E553a | Magnesium silicate | |
| anti-caking agent | E553b | Talk | |
| anti-caking agent | E554 | Sodium aluminum silicate | |
| anti-caking agent | E555 | Potassium aluminum silicate | |
| anti-caking agent | E556 | Aluminum calcium silicate | |
| anti-caking agent | E557 | Zinc silicate | |
| anti-caking agent | E558 | Bentonite | |
| anti-caking agent | E559 | Kaolin | |
| anti-caking agent | E570 | Stearic acid | |
| anti-caking agent | E571 | Ammonium stearate | |
| anti-caking agent | E572 | Magnesium stearate | |
| anti-caking agent | E573 | Aluminum stearate | |
| metal ion binder | E574 | Gluconic acid | |
| metal ion binder | E575 | Glucono-delta-lactone | |
| metal ion binder | E576 | Sodium gluconate | |
| metal ion binder | E577 | Potassium gluconate | |
| acidity regulator | E578 | Calcium gluconate | |
| iron source | E579 | Iron gluconate | |
| Stabilizer | E585 | Iron lactate |
E600-699: Flavor enhancers
Flavor enhancers make the taste of a product stronger or add a certain flavor.
| Origin | Target | E number | Name | Comments |
| Synthetic | Natural amino acid, flavor enhancer | E620 | L-glutamic acid | Some people may be hypersensitive to it (see E621). Should not be used in baby food (under 3 months of age). |
| Synthetic | Natural amino acid, flavor enhancer | E621 | Sodium glutamate | May cause personality changes, rage, schizophrenia, apathy and behavioral disorders such as hyperactivity if hypersensitive. Must not be used in infant formula (under 3 months of age). |
| Synthetic | Natural amino acid flavor enhancer | E622 | Potassium glutamate | Similar to E621 |
| Synthetic | Natural amino acid flavor enhancer | E623 | Calcium glutamate | Similar to E621 |
| Synthetic | Natural amino acid flavor enhancer | E624 | Ammonium glutamate | Similar to E621 |
| Synthetic | Natural amino acid flavor enhancer | E625 | Magnesium glutamate | Similar to E621, but can sometimes also have a calming effect |
| Natural | Flavor enhancer | E626 | Guanylic acid | May cause asthmatic reactions or edema formation if hypersensitive. Suspected of causing hyperactivity in children. Should not be used in infant formula (under 3 months of age). |
| Natural | Flavor enhancer | E627 | Sodium guanylate | Similar to E626. Extracted mainly from yeast |
| Natural | Flavor enhancer | E628 | Potassium guanylate | Similar to E626. Extracted mainly from yeast |
| Natural | Flavor enhancer | E629 | Calcium guanylate | Similar to E626. Extracted mainly from yeast |
| Natural | Flavor enhancer | E630 | Inosic acid | Extracted mainly from meat and sardines. |
| Natural | Flavor enhancer | E631 | Sodium nosinate | Extracted mainly from meat and sardines. |
| Natural | Flavor enhancer | E632 | Potassium inosinate | Extracted mainly from meat and sardines. |
| Natural | Flavor enhancer | E633 | Calciuminosinate | Extracted mainly from meat and sardines. |
| Natural | Flavor enhancer | E635 | Sodium 5′-ribonucleotide | Extracted mainly from meat and sardines. |
| Natural | Flavor enhancer | E636 | Maltol | Normally extracted from malt |
| Natural | Flavor enhancer | E637 | Ethylmaltol | |
| Synthetic | Flavor enhancer | E650 | Zinc acetate |
E700-799: Preservatives
| Origin | Target | E number | Name | Comments |
| The fungus Streptomyces ambofaciens | Preservative | E710 | Spiramycins | A group of antibiotics |
| The fungus Streptomyces fradiae | Preservative | E713 | Tylosin | A group of antibiotics |
E900-999: Anti-foaming agents, glazing agents, dough improvers, sweeteners
Flour improvers improve the baking properties of flour. Packing gases extend the shelf life of a product by changing the atmosphere of the product in question. Sweeteners give a product a sweet taste without calories.
| Origin | Target | E number | Name | Comments |
| anti-foaming agent | E900 | Dimethylpolysiloxane | ||
| Made by bees | Natural glazing agent | E901 | Beeswax | |
| Excretion product of lice. | Natural glazing agent | E902 | Candelilla wax | |
| Natural glazing agent | E903 | Carnauba wax | ||
| Glosses | E904 | Shellac | ||
| Natural glazing agent | E905 | Mineral hydrocarbons | ||
| Natural glazing agent | E906 | Benzoin gum | ||
| Natural glazing agent | E907 | Kerosene wax | ||
| Natural glazing agent | E908 | Rice grain wax | ||
| Natural glazing agent | E912 | Montanoic acid | Risk for allergies. | |
| A fatty excretion product of sheep. | Natural glazing agent | E913 | Lanolin | |
| Synthetic | Glossifier | E914 | Polyethylene wax | |
| Natural amino acid | E915 | Colophony Esters | ||
| Extracted from proteins, especially from hair. | Natural amino acid | E920 | L-cysteine | |
| Extracted from proteins, especially from hair. | dough improver | E921 | L-cystine | |
| dough improver | E922 | Potassium persulfate | ||
| dough improver | E923 | Ammonium persulfate | ||
| preservative | E924 | Potassium bromate | ||
| Bleach | E925 | Chlorine | ||
| dough improver | E927 | Azodicarbonamide | ||
| Natural | Stabilizer/Propellant | E927b | Carbamide | |
| Natural | Stabilizer/Propellant | E938 | Argon | |
| Natural | Stabilizer/Propellant | E939 | Helium | |
| Natural | Stabilizer/Propellant | E941 | Nitrogen | |
| Natural | Stabilizer/Propellant | E942 | Nitrogen Oxidule | |
| Petrochemical | Propellant | E943a | Butane | |
| Petrochemical | Propellant | E943b | Isobutane | |
| Petrochemical | Propellant | E944 | Propane | |
| Natural | Propellant | E948 | Oxygen | |
| Natural | Gas | E949 | Hydrogen | |
| Synthetic | Sweetener | E950 | Acesulfam K | |
| Synthetic | Sweetener | E951 | Aspartame | |
| Synthetic | Sweetener | E952 | Cyclamate | |
| Synthetic | Sweetener | E953 | Isomalt | Made from sucrose / via GM |
| Natural | Sweetener | E954 | Saccharin | |
| Synthetic | Sweetener | E955 | Sucralose | Known by the name Splenda. |
| Protein from tropical plant Thaumatococcus daniellii | Sweetener | E957 | Thaumatin | |
| E959 | Neohesperidine | |||
| Natural | Sweetener | E960 | Stevia | Steviol glycosides, 300 times sweeter than sugar |
| Synthetic | Sweetener | E961 | Neotame | Up to 13000 times sweeter than sugar |
| Synthetic | Sweetener | E962 | Salt of Aspartame | |
| Synthetic | E965 | Maltitol | May be from GM source | |
| Made from (cow) milk sugar | E966 | Lactitol | ||
| Natural | Sweetener | E968 | Erythritol | |
| Natural | Foaming agent | E999 | Quillaja |
E1400-1499 : Modified starches
| Origin | Target | E-Number | Name | comments |
| thickener | E1400 | Dextrin | ||
| thickener | E1401 | Acid-treated starch | ||
| thickener | E1402 | Leach-treated starch | ||
| thickener | E1403 | Bleached starch | ||
| thickener | E1404 | Oxidized starch | Could be GM or natural | |
| thickener | E1410 | Monostarch phosphate | ||
| thickener | E1411 | Distarch phosphate | ||
| thickener | E1412 | Distarch phosphate |