Lecithins
- Code or matching name
- E322; soy lecithin is one example
- What to check next
- Check the source named on the actual pack.
Label check
Emulsifiers in Food: Names to Check on Labels
Emulsifiers help ingredients stay mixed and texture stay consistent. Look up eight common label names and E-numbers below. Finding one is an identification clue, not a safety verdict.
Jump to the name and E-number lookupCheck a Food Label
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Start with the name on your pack
The FDA describes emulsifiers as ingredients that help mixtures stay smooth and prevent separation. Its US examples include lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, egg yolks and polysorbates. Read the exact ingredient list rather than guessing from a food category or a front-of-pack claim.
On US labels, start with the ingredient name. On EU labels, EFSA says an additive is identified by its function and either its name or E-number. The code matches below use the UK government's list published 25 June 2026, which applies to England, Northern Ireland and Wales. They identify substances; they are not risk grades or proof that every product contains them. Formulations vary, so use the label in your hand.
Health evidence is specific to the substance and the study conditions. In a 2022 controlled study, 16 adults received an emulsifier-free diet or one with 15 g/day of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) for 11 days; the CMC group had microbiome changes. A 2026 exploratory randomized trial of 60 healthy people tested five additives and found no between-group difference in measured intestinal or systemic inflammation after four weeks, although some microbiome measures changed. Neither trial proves that a food containing any emulsifier will harm or protect you. Use the lookup to identify terms, then compare similar foods by the full ingredient list. For broader context, see our ultra-processed ingredient guide.
Look up a name or E-number on the label
Mono- and diglycerides
- Code or matching name
- E471
- What to check next
- Compare like-for-like breads or desserts if you prefer a shorter list.
Polysorbate 80 or 60
- Code or matching name
- E433 or E435, respectively
- What to check next
- Match the exact number; polysorbates are not a single ingredient.
Carboxymethylcellulose
- Code or matching name
- CMC; E466
- What to check next
- Search for any of these names when comparing labels.
Carrageenan
- Code or matching name
- E407
- What to check next
- Do not confuse it with gellan gum (E418).
E472e
- Code or matching name
- Mono- and diacetyltartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
- What to check next
- Check the full name on ingredient lists, or E472e on labels that use codes.
Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate
- Code or matching name
- E481
- What to check next
- Look for the full name or E481 on bakery labels.
Polyglycerol polyricinoleate
- Code or matching name
- E476
- What to check next
- Compare chocolate ingredient lists without treating the code as a health score.
How it works
Use the lookup in three steps
1Read the exact ingredient list
Find the name or E-number on the package. US labels generally use names; the E-number reference here is for labels using that system. The same category can contain different formulas.
2Match the code to the name
Use the table to pair a label name with an E-number where one is used. Emulsifiers generally help mixtures stay stable, while some listed additives also act as thickeners or stabilizers. A code does not rank health risk.
3Compare similar packs
If you prefer fewer added emulsifiers, compare two products in the same category. BerryPure can scan an ingredient label and help you inspect the full list rather than a single flagged term.
Cleaner swaps
Compare, do not assume
Picking a bread because the front says artisan
Compare the full ingredient lists on two loaves
Look for E472e or E481 on code-based labels, or their full names on other packs. The product name does not reveal the formula.
Assuming all chocolate has the same ingredients
Check for lecithin or E476 on each bar
E322 and E476 identify different additives. Choose based on the actual label and your preferences, not an assumed category rule.
Treating every thickener as the same emulsifier
Match the exact gum or cellulose term
Carrageenan (E407), gellan gum (E418) and carboxymethylcellulose (E466) are distinct names. A lookup is more useful than a blanket avoid list.
Frequently askedquestions
Everything you need to know about scanning your food with Berry Pure.
What are common emulsifiers in food?
Common label terms include lecithins (E322), mono- and diglycerides (E471), polysorbate 80 (E433), E472e, sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (E481) and polyglycerol polyricinoleate (E476). Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC, E466) and carrageenan (E407) can serve as stabilizers or thickeners. Check the exact name and market on the pack.
Are emulsifiers bad for your gut?
A small 2022 controlled trial found microbiome changes after high CMC intake for 11 days. A 2026 exploratory trial testing five additives found some microbiome changes but no between-group difference in measured inflammation after four weeks. Neither result supports a blanket verdict about every emulsifier in everyday foods.
Is lecithin harmful?
Its presence alone is not evidence that a food is harmful. Lecithin is one of several ingredients used to keep a mixture stable. If the source matters to you, read the full product label.
Is E471 the same as E472e?
No. E471 identifies mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids. E472e identifies mono- and diacetyltartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids. The codes distinguish ingredients, not the quality of the whole food.
Can I find foods without added emulsifiers?
Often, yes, but do not assume that a product category or a shorter front label guarantees it. Compare the ingredient lists of similar products and choose for your needs and preferences.
Do E-numbers mean the same thing in the US and Europe?
E-numbers are used in European food-additive labeling. US labels generally declare an ingredient by its common or usual name. Use this page to translate a code when you see one, then check the rules and actual pack for your market.
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