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E numbers list:find what a code means

E numbers identify food additives on European labels. Search a code or name below to find the additive and its typical role. A code is not a safety rating or universal approval.

144 of 144 codes shown. Names and typical roles, not safety ratings.

E100s: Colours

  • E100Curcumin

    Typical role: colour

  • E101Riboflavin

    Typical role: colour

    Also called: Vitamin B2

  • E102Tartrazine

    Typical role: colour

    Also called: Yellow 5

  • E104Quinoline Yellow

    Typical role: colour

  • E110Sunset Yellow

    Typical role: colour

    Also called: Yellow 6

  • E120Carmine

    Typical role: colour

    Also called: Cochineal, carminic acid

  • E122Carmoisine

    Typical role: colour

    Also called: Azorubine

  • E124Ponceau 4R

    Typical role: colour

  • E127Erythrosine

    Typical role: colour

    Also called: Red 3

  • E129Allura Red

    Typical role: colour

    Also called: Red 40

  • E131Patent Blue V

    Typical role: colour

  • E132Indigo Carmine

    Typical role: colour

    Also called: Blue 2

  • E133Brilliant Blue

    Typical role: colour

    Also called: Blue 1

  • E140Chlorophylls

    Typical role: colour

  • E141Copper complexes of chlorophyll and chlorophyllins

    Typical role: colour

    Also called: Copper chlorophylls

  • E142Green S

    Typical role: colour

  • E150aPlain caramel

    Typical role: colour

  • E150cAmmonia caramel

    Typical role: colour

  • E150dSulphite ammonia caramel

    Typical role: colour

  • E153Vegetable carbon

    Typical role: colour

  • E160aCarotenes

    Typical role: colour

  • E160cPaprika extract

    Typical role: colour

  • E161bLutein

    Typical role: colour

  • E162Beetroot red

    Typical role: colour

    Also called: Betanin

  • E163Anthocyanins

    Typical role: colour

  • E170Calcium carbonate

    Typical role: colour

    Also called: Chalk

  • E171Titanium dioxide

    Typical role: colour

  • E172Iron oxides

    Typical role: colour

  • E173Aluminium

    Typical role: colour

  • E174Silver

    Typical role: colour

  • E175Gold

    Typical role: colour

E200s: Preservatives

  • E200Sorbic acid

    Typical role: preservative

  • E202Potassium sorbate

    Typical role: preservative

  • E210Benzoic acid

    Typical role: preservative

  • E211Sodium benzoate

    Typical role: preservative

  • E212Potassium benzoate

    Typical role: preservative

  • E220Sulphur dioxide

    Typical role: preservative

  • E221Sodium sulphite

    Typical role: preservative

  • E223Sodium metabisulphite

    Typical role: preservative

  • E224Potassium metabisulphite

    Typical role: preservative

  • E235Natamycin

    Typical role: preservative

  • E249Potassium nitrite

    Typical role: preservative

  • E250Sodium nitrite

    Typical role: preservative

  • E251Sodium nitrate

    Typical role: preservative

  • E252Potassium nitrate

    Typical role: preservative

    Also called: Saltpetre

  • E260Acetic acid

    Typical role: preservative

    Also called: Vinegar

  • E270Lactic acid

    Typical role: preservative

  • E282Calcium propionate

    Typical role: preservative

  • E290Carbon dioxide

    Typical role: gas

  • E296Malic acid

    Typical role: acid

E300s: Antioxidants and acids

  • E300Ascorbic acid

    Typical role: antioxidant

    Also called: Vitamin C

  • E301Sodium ascorbate

    Typical role: antioxidant

  • E304Fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid

    Typical role: antioxidant

    Also called: Ascorbyl palmitate

  • E306Tocopherols

    Typical role: antioxidant

    Also called: Vitamin E

  • E319TBHQ

    Typical role: antioxidant

    Also called: Tert-butylhydroquinone

  • E320BHA

    Typical role: antioxidant

    Also called: Butylated hydroxyanisole

  • E321BHT

    Typical role: antioxidant

    Also called: Butylated hydroxytoluene

  • E322Lecithins

    Typical role: emulsifier

    Also called: Soy or sunflower lecithin

  • E325Sodium lactate

    Typical role: acidity regulator

  • E330Citric acid

    Typical role: acid

  • E331Sodium citrates

    Typical role: acidity regulator

  • E334Tartaric acid

    Typical role: acid

  • E336Potassium tartrate

    Typical role: acidity regulator

    Also called: Cream of tartar

  • E338Phosphoric acid

    Typical role: acid

  • E339Sodium phosphates

    Typical role: acidity regulator

  • E340Potassium phosphates

    Typical role: acidity regulator

  • E341Calcium phosphates

    Typical role: raising agent

  • E385Calcium disodium EDTA

    Typical role: sequestrant

  • E392Extracts of rosemary

    Typical role: antioxidant

    Also called: Rosemary extract

E400s: Thickeners and emulsifiers

  • E400Alginic acid

    Typical role: thickener

  • E401Sodium alginate

    Typical role: thickener

  • E406Agar

    Typical role: gelling agent

  • E407Carrageenan

    Typical role: thickener

  • E407aProcessed eucheuma seaweed

    Typical role: thickener

  • E410Locust bean gum

    Typical role: thickener

    Also called: Carob gum

  • E412Guar gum

    Typical role: thickener

  • E413Tragacanth

    Typical role: thickener

  • E414Gum arabic

    Typical role: thickener

    Also called: Acacia gum

  • E415Xanthan gum

    Typical role: thickener

  • E418Gellan gum

    Typical role: gelling agent

  • E420Sorbitol

    Typical role: sweetener

  • E421Mannitol

    Typical role: sweetener

  • E422Glycerol

    Typical role: humectant

    Also called: Glycerine

  • E433Polysorbate 80

    Typical role: emulsifier

  • E435Polysorbate 60

    Typical role: emulsifier

  • E440Pectin

    Typical role: gelling agent

  • E450Diphosphates

    Typical role: raising agent

  • E451Triphosphates

    Typical role: stabiliser

  • E452Polyphosphates

    Typical role: stabiliser

  • E460Cellulose

    Typical role: bulking agent

  • E461Methylcellulose

    Typical role: thickener

  • E464Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose

    Typical role: thickener

    Also called: HPMC

  • E466Carboxymethylcellulose

    Typical role: thickener

    Also called: Cellulose gum, CMC

  • E471Mono- and diglycerides

    Typical role: emulsifier

  • E472eMono- and diacetyltartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids

    Typical role: emulsifier

    Also called: DATEM

  • E473Sucrose esters

    Typical role: emulsifier

  • E475Polyglycerol esters

    Typical role: emulsifier

  • E476Polyglycerol polyricinoleate

    Typical role: emulsifier

    Also called: PGPR

  • E481Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate

    Typical role: emulsifier

    Also called: Sodium stearoyl lactylate

  • E491Sorbitan monostearate

    Typical role: emulsifier

E500s: Acidity regulators and anti-caking

  • E500Sodium carbonates

    Typical role: raising agent

    Also called: Bicarbonate of soda

  • E501Potassium carbonates

    Typical role: acidity regulator

  • E503Ammonium carbonates

    Typical role: raising agent

    Also called: Baker's ammonia

  • E504Magnesium carbonates

    Typical role: anti-caking agent

  • E508Potassium chloride

    Typical role: salt substitute

  • E509Calcium chloride

    Typical role: firming agent

  • E511Magnesium chloride

    Typical role: firming agent

    Also called: Nigari

  • E516Calcium sulphate

    Typical role: firming agent

  • E524Sodium hydroxide

    Typical role: acidity regulator

    Also called: Lye

  • E551Silicon dioxide

    Typical role: anti-caking agent

    Also called: Silica

  • E552Calcium silicate

    Typical role: anti-caking agent

  • E553bTalc

    Typical role: anti-caking agent

  • E575Glucono-delta-lactone

    Typical role: acidity regulator

E600s: Flavour enhancers

  • E620Glutamic acid

    Typical role: flavour enhancer

  • E621Monosodium glutamate

    Typical role: flavour enhancer

    Also called: MSG

  • E627Disodium guanylate

    Typical role: flavour enhancer

  • E631Disodium inosinate

    Typical role: flavour enhancer

  • E635Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides

    Typical role: flavour enhancer

E900s: Glazes, gases and sweeteners

  • E900Dimethylpolysiloxane

    Typical role: anti-foaming agent

  • E901Beeswax

    Typical role: glazing agent

  • E903Carnauba wax

    Typical role: glazing agent

  • E904Shellac

    Typical role: glazing agent

  • E920L-cysteine

    Typical role: flour treatment

  • E941Nitrogen

    Typical role: packaging gas

  • E942Nitrous oxide

    Typical role: propellant

  • E950Acesulfame K

    Typical role: sweetener

  • E951Aspartame

    Typical role: sweetener

  • E952Cyclamic acid and its Na and Ca salts

    Typical role: sweetener

    Also called: Cyclamate

  • E953Isomalt

    Typical role: sweetener

  • E954Saccharin

    Typical role: sweetener

  • E955Sucralose

    Typical role: sweetener

  • E957Thaumatin

    Typical role: sweetener

  • E961Neotame

    Typical role: sweetener

  • E965Maltitol

    Typical role: sweetener

  • E966Lactitol

    Typical role: sweetener

  • E967Xylitol

    Typical role: sweetener

  • E968Erythritol

    Typical role: sweetener

  • E999Quillaia extract

    Typical role: foaming agent

E1400s and up: Modified starches and others

  • E1404Oxidised starch

    Typical role: modified starch

  • E1414Acetylated distarch phosphate

    Typical role: modified starch

  • E1422Acetylated distarch adipate

    Typical role: modified starch

  • E1442Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate

    Typical role: modified starch

  • E1450Starch sodium octenyl succinate

    Typical role: modified starch

    Also called: OSA starch

  • E1520Propylene glycol

    Typical role: humectant

From label to answer

  1. 1

    Find the code

    Type the E number or additive name from the ingredient list.

  2. 2

    Read the role

    The listing gives a name and typical function, such as colour or preservative.

  3. 3

    Check your market

    For permitted uses and limits, follow the current regulator source below.

This is a selected code-name reference checked against the UK Food Standards Agency list published 25 June 2026. That list covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with differences in applicable rules. It does not establish approval for every food or country.

Frequently askedquestions

Everything you need to know about scanning your food with Berry Pure.

What are E numbers?

An E number identifies a food additive in the EU system. On an EU ingredient list, a food maker must state the additive's function and either its E number or its name. For example, E300 is ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Are E numbers bad for you?

An E number is an identifier, not a safety rating. Whether an additive may be used depends on the market, food and permitted amount. Look up the specific code in the current regulator list for where you shop.

Which E numbers should I avoid?

There is no reliable avoid list from code numbers alone. If you have a specific concern, check the current rules and assessment for that additive in your market. This directory helps you identify the name and typical role first.

Does a code mean an additive is allowed everywhere?

No. The UK Food Standards Agency says its list must be read with the rules for particular foods and permitted amounts, and it notes differences between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Do not treat a code-name match as an approval for every food or country.

Are any E-number additives from natural sources?

Yes. EFSA lists examples including vitamin C (E300), pectin (E440), carminic acid from cochineal insects (E120) and calcium carbonate (E170). A natural origin does not by itself tell you the additive's permitted uses or suitability for your diet.

How many E numbers are there?

EFSA says more than 300 substances are authorised as food additives in the EU. This selected directory covers 144 codes checked against the UK FSA's June 2026 code-name list. Use the regulator's full list if a code is missing.

Sources

The claims on this page are based on these publications.

  1. UK FSA (2026)Approved additives and E numbers: code-name list and market caveats
  2. EFSA (2026)Food additives: label declarations, examples and EU assessment

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