E-Number Directory: Food Additives Explained for Parents Every entry below is written from reviewed regulatory sources, not generated by AI. Tap an additive to see what it does, why manufacturers use it, and the source we relied on.
E100 — Curcumin Colour E101 — Riboflavin Colour E102 — Tartrazine Colour EU child warning E104 — Quinoline Yellow Colour EU child warning E110 — Sunset Yellow FCF Colour EU child warning E1103 — Invertase Stabiliser E1105 — Lysozyme Preservative E120 — Cochineal, Carminic Acid, Carmines Colour E1200 — Polydextrose Bulking agent E1201 — Polyvinylpyrrolidone Stabiliser E1202 — Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone Stabiliser E122 — Carmoisine Colour EU child warning E124 — Ponceau 4R Colour EU child warning E127 — Erythrosine Colour E129 — Allura Red AC Colour EU child warning E131 — Patent Blue V Colour E132 — Indigo Carmine Colour E133 — Brilliant Blue FCF Colour E140 — Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins Colour E1404 — Oxidised Starch Thickener E141 — Copper Complexes of Chlorophylls Colour E1410 — Monostarch Phosphate Thickener E1412 — Distarch Phosphate Thickener E1413 — Phosphated Distarch Phosphate Thickener E1414 — Acetylated Distarch Phosphate Thickener E142 — Green S Colour E1420 — Acetylated Starch Thickener E1422 — Acetylated Distarch Adipate Thickener E1440 — Hydroxypropyl Starch Thickener E1442 — Hydroxypropyl Distarch Phosphate Thickener E1450 — Starch Sodium Octenyl Succinate Emulsifier E1451 — Acetylated Oxidised Starch Thickener E1452 — Starch Aluminium Octenyl Succinate Emulsifier E1505 — Triethyl Citrate Carrier E150a — Plain Caramel Colour E150b — Caustic Sulphite Caramel Colour E150c — Ammonia Caramel Colour E150d — Sulphite Ammonia Caramel Colour E151 — Brilliant Black BN Colour E1517 — Glyceryl Diacetate Carrier E1518 — Glyceryl Triacetate Carrier E1520 — Propane-1,2-diol Carrier E153 — Vegetable Carbon Colour E155 — Brown HT Colour E160a — Carotenes Colour E160b — Annatto, Bixin, Norbixin Colour E160c — Paprika Extract Colour E160d — Lycopene Colour E160e — Beta-apo-8'-carotenal Colour E161b — Lutein Colour E161g — Canthaxanthin Colour E162 — Beetroot Red, Betanin Colour E163 — Anthocyanins Colour E170 — Calcium Carbonate Colour, anti-caking agent E171 — Titanium Dioxide Colour E172 — Iron Oxides and Hydroxides Colour E173 — Aluminium Colour E174 — Silver Colour E175 — Gold Colour E180 — Litholrubine BK Colour E200 — Sorbic Acid Preservative E202 — Potassium Sorbate Preservative E203 — Calcium Sorbate Preservative E210 — Benzoic Acid Preservative E211 — Sodium Benzoate Preservative E212 — Potassium Benzoate Preservative E213 — Calcium Benzoate Preservative E214 — Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate Preservative E215 — Sodium Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate Preservative E218 — Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate Preservative E219 — Sodium Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate Preservative E220 — Sulphur Dioxide Preservative E221 — Sodium Sulphite Preservative E222 — Sodium Bisulphite Preservative E223 — Sodium Metabisulphite Preservative E224 — Potassium Metabisulphite Preservative E226 — Calcium Sulphite Preservative E227 — Calcium Bisulphite Preservative E228 — Potassium Bisulphite Preservative E234 — Nisin Preservative E235 — Natamycin Preservative E239 — Hexamethylene Tetramine Preservative E242 — Dimethyl Dicarbonate Preservative E249 — Potassium Nitrite Preservative E250 — Sodium Nitrite Preservative E251 — Sodium Nitrate Preservative E252 — Potassium Nitrate Preservative E260 — Acetic Acid Acidity regulator E261 — Potassium Acetate Acidity regulator E262 — Sodium Acetates Acidity regulator E263 — Calcium Acetate Acidity regulator E270 — Lactic Acid Acidity regulator E280 — Propionic Acid Preservative E281 — Sodium Propionate Preservative E282 — Calcium Propionate Preservative E283 — Potassium Propionate Preservative E284 — Boric Acid Preservative E290 — Carbon Dioxide Packaging gas E296 — Malic Acid Acidity regulator E297 — Fumaric Acid Acidity regulator E300 — Ascorbic Acid Antioxidant E301 — Sodium Ascorbate Antioxidant E302 — Calcium Ascorbate Antioxidant E304 — Fatty Acid Esters of Ascorbic Acid Antioxidant E306 — Tocopherol-rich Extract Antioxidant E307 — Alpha-tocopherol Antioxidant E308 — Gamma-tocopherol Antioxidant E309 — Delta-tocopherol Antioxidant E310 — Propyl Gallate Antioxidant E311 — Octyl Gallate Antioxidant E312 — Dodecyl Gallate Antioxidant E315 — Erythorbic Acid Antioxidant E316 — Sodium Erythorbate Antioxidant E319 — Tertiary-butyl Hydroquinone Antioxidant E320 — Butylated Hydroxyanisole Antioxidant E321 — Butylated Hydroxytoluene Antioxidant E322 — Lecithins Emulsifier E325 — Sodium Lactate Acidity regulator E326 — Potassium Lactate Acidity regulator E327 — Calcium Lactate Acidity regulator E330 — Citric Acid Acidity regulator E331 — Sodium Citrates Acidity regulator E332 — Potassium Citrates Acidity regulator E333 — Calcium Citrates Acidity regulator E334 — Tartaric Acid Acidity regulator E335 — Sodium Tartrates Acidity regulator E336 — Potassium Tartrates Acidity regulator E337 — Sodium Potassium Tartrate Acidity regulator E338 — Phosphoric Acid Acidity regulator E339 — Sodium Phosphates Acidity regulator, emulsifying salt E340 — Potassium Phosphates Acidity regulator, emulsifying salt E341 — Calcium Phosphates Acidity regulator, raising agent E343 — Magnesium Phosphates Acidity regulator E350 — Sodium Malates Acidity regulator E351 — Potassium Malate Acidity regulator E352 — Calcium Malates Acidity regulator E353 — Metatartaric Acid Acidity regulator E354 — Calcium Tartrate Acidity regulator E355 — Adipic Acid Acidity regulator E363 — Succinic Acid Acidity regulator E380 — Triammonium Citrate Acidity regulator E385 — Calcium Disodium EDTA Antioxidant, sequestrant E392 — Extracts of Rosemary Antioxidant E400 — Alginic Acid Thickener E401 — Sodium Alginate Thickener E402 — Potassium Alginate Thickener E403 — Ammonium Alginate Thickener E404 — Calcium Alginate Thickener E405 — Propane-1,2-diol Alginate Thickener E406 — Agar Gelling agent E407 — Carrageenan Thickener E407a — Processed Eucheuma Seaweed Thickener E410 — Locust Bean Gum Thickener E412 — Guar Gum Thickener E413 — Tragacanth Thickener E414 — Acacia Gum Thickener E415 — Xanthan Gum Thickener E416 — Karaya Gum Thickener E417 — Tara Gum Thickener E418 — Gellan Gum Thickener E420 — Sorbitol Sweetener, humectant E421 — Mannitol Sweetener E422 — Glycerol Humectant E425 — Konjac Thickener E426 — Soybean Hemicellulose Thickener E427 — Cassia Gum Thickener E431 — Polyoxyethylene (40) Stearate Emulsifier E432 — Polysorbate 20 Emulsifier E433 — Polysorbate 80 Emulsifier E434 — Polysorbate 40 Emulsifier E435 — Polysorbate 60 Emulsifier E436 — Polysorbate 65 Emulsifier E440 — Pectin Gelling agent E442 — Ammonium Phosphatides Emulsifier E444 — Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate Emulsifier E445 — Glycerol Esters of Wood Rosins Emulsifier E450 — Diphosphates Acidity regulator, raising agent E451 — Triphosphates Emulsifying salt E452 — Polyphosphates Emulsifying salt E459 — Beta-cyclodextrin Stabiliser E460 — Cellulose Bulking agent E461 — Methyl Cellulose Thickener E463 — Hydroxypropyl Cellulose Thickener E464 — Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose Thickener E465 — Ethyl Methyl Cellulose Thickener E466 — Carboxymethyl Cellulose Thickener E468 — Croscarmellose Sodium Stabiliser E469 — Enzymatically Hydrolysed Carboxymethyl Cellulose Thickener E470a — Sodium, Potassium and Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids Emulsifier, anti-caking agent E470b — Magnesium Salts of Fatty Acids Emulsifier E471 — Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids Emulsifier E472a — Acetic Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides Emulsifier E472b — Lactic Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides Emulsifier E472c — Citric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides Emulsifier E472d — Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides Emulsifier E472e — Mono- and Diacetyl Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides Emulsifier E472f — Mixed Acetic and Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides Emulsifier E473 — Sucrose Esters of Fatty Acids Emulsifier E474 — Sucroglycerides Emulsifier E475 — Polyglycerol Esters of Fatty Acids Emulsifier E476 — Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate Emulsifier E477 — Propane-1,2-diol Esters of Fatty Acids Emulsifier E479b — Thermally Oxidised Soya Bean Oil Emulsifier E481 — Sodium Stearoyl-2-lactylate Emulsifier E482 — Calcium Stearoyl-2-lactylate Emulsifier E483 — Stearyl Tartrate Flour treatment agent E491 — Sorbitan Monostearate Emulsifier E492 — Sorbitan Tristearate Emulsifier E493 — Sorbitan Monolaurate Emulsifier E494 — Sorbitan Monooleate Emulsifier E495 — Sorbitan Monopalmitate Emulsifier E500 — Sodium Carbonates Raising agent E501 — Potassium Carbonates Acidity regulator E503 — Ammonium Carbonates Raising agent E504 — Magnesium Carbonates Anti-caking agent E507 — Hydrochloric Acid Acidity regulator E508 — Potassium Chloride Acidity regulator E509 — Calcium Chloride Firming agent E511 — Magnesium Chloride Firming agent E512 — Stannous Chloride Antioxidant E513 — Sulphuric Acid Acidity regulator E514 — Sodium Sulphates Acidity regulator E515 — Potassium Sulphates Acidity regulator E516 — Calcium Sulphate Firming agent E517 — Ammonium Sulphate Stabiliser E520 — Aluminium Sulphate Firming agent E524 — Sodium Hydroxide Acidity regulator E525 — Potassium Hydroxide Acidity regulator E526 — Calcium Hydroxide Acidity regulator E527 — Ammonium Hydroxide Acidity regulator E528 — Magnesium Hydroxide Acidity regulator E529 — Calcium Oxide Acidity regulator E530 — Magnesium Oxide Anti-caking agent E535 — Sodium Ferrocyanide Anti-caking agent E536 — Potassium Ferrocyanide Anti-caking agent E538 — Calcium Ferrocyanide Anti-caking agent E541 — Sodium Aluminium Phosphate Raising agent E551 — Silicon Dioxide Anti-caking agent E552 — Calcium Silicate Anti-caking agent E553b — Talc Anti-caking agent E554 — Sodium Aluminium Silicate Anti-caking agent E555 — Potassium Aluminium Silicate Anti-caking agent E559 — Aluminium Silicate Anti-caking agent E570 — Fatty Acids Anti-caking agent E574 — Gluconic Acid Acidity regulator E575 — Glucono-delta-lactone Acidity regulator E576 — Sodium Gluconate Sequestrant E577 — Potassium Gluconate Sequestrant E578 — Calcium Gluconate Firming agent E579 — Ferrous Gluconate Colour stabiliser E585 — Ferrous Lactate Colour stabiliser E586 — 4-Hexylresorcinol Antioxidant E620 — Glutamic Acid Flavour enhancer E621 — Monosodium Glutamate Flavour enhancer E622 — Monopotassium Glutamate Flavour enhancer E623 — Calcium Diglutamate Flavour enhancer E624 — Monoammonium Glutamate Flavour enhancer E625 — Magnesium Diglutamate Flavour enhancer E626 — Guanylic Acid Flavour enhancer E627 — Disodium Guanylate Flavour enhancer E628 — Dipotassium Guanylate Flavour enhancer E629 — Calcium Guanylate Flavour enhancer E630 — Inosinic Acid Flavour enhancer E631 — Disodium Inosinate Flavour enhancer E632 — Dipotassium Inosinate Flavour enhancer E633 — Calcium Inosinate Flavour enhancer E634 — Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides Flavour enhancer E635 — Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides Flavour enhancer E640 — Glycine and its Sodium Salt Flavour enhancer E650 — Zinc Acetate Flavour enhancer E900 — Dimethyl Polysiloxane Anti-foaming agent E901 — Beeswax Glazing agent E902 — Candelilla Wax Glazing agent E903 — Carnauba Wax Glazing agent E904 — Shellac Glazing agent E905 — Microcrystalline Wax Glazing agent E907 — Hydrogenated Poly-1-decene Glazing agent E914 — Oxidised Polyethylene Wax Glazing agent E920 — L-cysteine Flour treatment agent E927b — Carbamide Flour treatment agent E938 — Argon Packaging gas E939 — Helium Packaging gas E941 — Nitrogen Packaging gas E942 — Nitrous Oxide Propellant E943a — Butane Propellant E944 — Propane Propellant E948 — Oxygen Packaging gas E949 — Hydrogen Packaging gas E950 — Acesulfame K Sweetener E951 — Aspartame Sweetener E952 — Cyclamic Acid and its Salts Sweetener E953 — Isomalt Sweetener E954 — Saccharin and its Salts Sweetener E955 — Sucralose Sweetener E957 — Thaumatin Sweetener E959 — Neohesperidine DC Sweetener E960 — Steviol Glycosides Sweetener E961 — Neotame Sweetener E962 — Salt of Aspartame-acesulfame Sweetener E965 — Maltitol Sweetener E966 — Lactitol Sweetener E967 — Xylitol Sweetener E968 — Erythritol Sweetener E969 — Advantame Sweetener E999 — Quillaia Extract Foaming agent