Most E-numbers are ordinary ingredients with a code: E300 is vitamin C, E440 is pectin from fruit. An E-number on a label is not a warning sign by itself.
Six synthetic colours are different. Under EU food additive rules, foods containing them must carry a specific statement on the label: “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”. That wording comes from the regulation itself, not from us.
| E-number | Name | Used as |
|---|---|---|
| E102 | Tartrazine | Yellow colour |
| E104 | Quinoline Yellow | Yellow colour |
| E110 | Sunset Yellow FCF | Orange-yellow colour |
| E122 | Carmoisine (Azorubine) | Red colour |
| E124 | Ponceau 4R | Red colour |
| E129 | Allura Red AC | Red colour |
Brightly coloured sweets, jellies, icing and decorations, some soft drinks and squashes, and imported snacks. Labels list them either by E-number or by name, and the same product can use one format in one country and the other elsewhere — which is why reading the ingredients list matters more than the front of the pack.
The statement is a labelling requirement so that parents can make their own choice. It is not a ban, and it is not a judgement about a specific child. If your child has a diagnosed condition or dietary requirement, talk to a healthcare professional — see our disclaimer.
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Scan an ingredients listRelated: What is E171 (titanium dioxide)? · How KidLabel works