Decoding the E numbers on an ingredients list
E numbers are the codes for food additives approved for use across the EU and retained in UK law. The E prefix marks an assessed, approved substance, and the number identifies exactly which one. This searchable reference maps common E numbers to their plain name and function, and explains the numbering bands so a leading digit tells you roughly what the additive does.
The assessment process behind an E number
An additive earns an E number only after evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The process involves reviewing toxicological data including animal feeding studies, determining a No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL), and setting an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) — the amount a person can consume daily over a lifetime without appreciable risk. Only if the ADI comfortably exceeds realistic dietary exposure does EFSA recommend approval.
The E prefix therefore signals regulatory clearance, not necessarily “natural” or “beneficial” — nor does it signal anything harmful. Vitamin C (E300), beta-carotene (E160a), and citric acid (E330) are all E numbers. So are synthetic dyes and preservatives. The E number identifies the substance and confirms it was assessed; it does not judge its desirability.
How it works
Additives are grouped into numeric bands by function, and each substance gets a specific number within its band:
E100–E199 Colours (E102 Tartrazine, E160a Beta-carotene)
E200–E299 Preservatives (E211 Sodium benzoate, E250 Sodium nitrite)
E300–E399 Antioxidants / acidity (E300 Vitamin C, E330 Citric acid)
E400–E499 Thickeners / emulsifiers(E415 Xanthan gum, E471 Mono-diglycerides)
E900–E999 Glazing / sweeteners (E951 Aspartame, E960 Stevia)Search filters across the code, the common name and the category at once, so a
query like sweetener or preservative lists every matching additive.
Tips and notes
- The leading digit is a quick hint: a 1xx is almost always a colour, a 6xx a flavour enhancer.
- Some additives sit in more than one role (E330 citric acid is both an acidity regulator and an antioxidant).
- An E number is not a verdict on healthiness — it only means the additive is approved.
- Approvals change; titanium dioxide (E171) was banned in the EU in 2022, so always check the current register.
Well-known additives and their E numbers
A few E numbers appear on nearly every processed food label and are worth recognising:
| E number | Common name | Function |
|---|---|---|
| E300 | Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) | Antioxidant |
| E330 | Citric acid | Acidity regulator, antioxidant |
| E415 | Xanthan gum | Thickener, stabiliser |
| E420 | Sorbitol | Sweetener, humectant |
| E471 | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | Emulsifier |
| E621 | Monosodium glutamate (MSG) | Flavour enhancer |
| E951 | Aspartame | Sweetener |
| E211 | Sodium benzoate | Preservative |
| E250 | Sodium nitrite | Preservative (cured meats) |
| E102 | Tartrazine | Colour (yellow) |
| E160a | Beta-carotene | Colour (orange), antioxidant |
Tartrazine (E102) and other azo dyes carry a voluntary advisory label in the EU (the Southampton Six warning) because of a study linking them to hyperactivity in children. The label says “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children” — this is distinct from a ban, and the dyes remain approved with the advisory.