E-number decoder What does that E-number mean?
The number tells you what an additive does. It never tells you what it was made from.
E-numbers are the codes for food additives, and that missing half is what this fills in. Type a code like E120, or paste a whole ingredient list, and you get one answer card per code: the name, the job, and every source it can come from.
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Every code in this tool, A to Z
Open a range to browse every code in it, or search above for one answer.
E100–E199 · Colours40 codes
- E100CurcuminColour · Plant
- E101Riboflavin (vitamin B2)Colour · Varies
- E102TartrazineColour · Made in a lab
- E104Quinoline yellowColour · Made in a lab
- E110Sunset yellow FCFColour · Made in a lab
- E120Carmine (cochineal)Colour · InsectRead the guide
- E122Azorubine (carmoisine)Colour · Made in a lab
- E123AmaranthColour · Made in a lab
- E124Ponceau 4RColour · Made in a lab
- E127ErythrosineColour · Made in a lab
- E129Allura red ACColour · Made in a lab
- E131Patent blue VColour · Made in a lab
- E132Indigotine (indigo carmine)Colour · Made in a lab
- E133Brilliant blue FCFColour · Made in a lab
- E140ChlorophyllsColour · Plant
- E141Copper complexes of chlorophyllsColour · Plant
- E142Green SColour · Made in a lab
- E150aPlain caramelColour · Plant
- E150bCaustic sulphite caramelColour · Plant
- E150cAmmonia caramelColour · Plant
- E150dSulphite ammonia caramelColour · Plant
- E151Brilliant black BNColour · Made in a lab
- E153Vegetable carbonColour · Plant
- E155Brown HTColour · Made in a lab
- E160aCarotenesColour · Varies
- E160bAnnattoColour · Plant
- E160cPaprika extractColour · Plant
- E160dLycopeneColour · Varies
- E160eBeta-apo-8′-carotenal (C 30)Colour · Made in a lab
- E161bLuteinColour · Plant
- E161gCanthaxanthinColour · Made in a lab
- E162Beetroot redColour · Plant
- E163AnthocyaninsColour · Plant
- E170Calcium carbonateColour · Mineral
- E171Titanium dioxideColour · Mineral
- E172Iron oxides and hydroxidesColour · Mineral
- E173AluminiumColour · Mineral
- E174SilverColour · Mineral
- E175GoldColour · Mineral
- E180Litholrubine BKColour · Made in a lab
E200–E299 · Preservatives41 codes
- E200Sorbic acidPreservative · Made in a lab
- E202Potassium sorbatePreservative · Made in a lab
- E210Benzoic acidPreservative · Made in a lab
- E211Sodium benzoatePreservative · Made in a lab
- E212Potassium benzoatePreservative · Made in a lab
- E213Calcium benzoatePreservative · Made in a lab
- E214Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoatePreservative · Made in a lab
- E215Sodium ethyl p-hydroxybenzoatePreservative · Made in a lab
- E218Methyl p-hydroxybenzoatePreservative · Made in a lab
- E219Sodium methyl p-hydroxybenzoatePreservative · Made in a lab
- E220Sulphur dioxidePreservative · Made in a labRead the guide
- E221Sodium sulphitePreservative · Made in a labRead the guide
- E222Sodium bisulphitePreservative · Made in a labRead the guide
- E223Sodium metabisulphitePreservative · Made in a labRead the guide
- E224Potassium metabisulphitePreservative · Made in a labRead the guide
- E226Calcium sulphitePreservative · Made in a labRead the guide
- E227Calcium hydrogen sulphitePreservative · Made in a labRead the guide
- E228Potassium hydrogen sulphitePreservative · Made in a labRead the guide
- E234NisinPreservative · Varies
- E235NatamycinPreservative · Varies
- E239Hexamethylene tetraminePreservative · Made in a lab
- E242Dimethyl dicarbonatePreservative · Made in a lab
- E243Ethyl lauroyl arginatePreservative · Made in a lab
- E249Potassium nitritePreservative · Made in a lab
- E250Sodium nitritePreservative · Made in a lab
- E251Sodium nitratePreservative · Mineral
- E252Potassium nitrate (saltpetre)Preservative · Mineral
- E260Acetic acidAcid or acidity regulator · Varies
- E261Potassium acetateAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E262Sodium acetatesAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E263Calcium acetateAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E270Lactic acidAcid or acidity regulator · Varies
- E280Propionic acidPreservative · Varies
- E281Sodium propionatePreservative · Made in a lab
- E282Calcium propionatePreservative · Made in a lab
- E283Potassium propionatePreservative · Made in a lab
- E284Boric acidPreservative · Mineral
- E285Sodium tetraborate (borax)Preservative · Mineral
- E290Carbon dioxidePackaging gas · Varies
- E296Malic acidAcid or acidity regulator · Varies
- E297Fumaric acidAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
E300–E399 · Antioxidants and acidity regulators43 codes
- E300Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)Antioxidant · Made in a lab
- E301Sodium ascorbateAntioxidant · Made in a lab
- E302Calcium ascorbateAntioxidant · Made in a lab
- E304Ascorbyl palmitateAntioxidant · Varies
- E306Tocopherol-rich extract (vitamin E)Antioxidant · Plant
- E307Alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E)Antioxidant · Varies
- E308Gamma-tocopherolAntioxidant · Made in a lab
- E309Delta-tocopherolAntioxidant · Made in a lab
- E310Propyl gallateAntioxidant · Made in a lab
- E315Erythorbic acidAntioxidant · Made in a lab
- E316Sodium erythorbateAntioxidant · Made in a lab
- E319TBHQ (tert-butylhydroquinone)Antioxidant · Made in a lab
- E320BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)Antioxidant · Made in a lab
- E321BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)Antioxidant · Made in a lab
- E322LecithinsEmulsifier · VariesRead the guide
- E325Sodium lactateAcid or acidity regulator · Varies
- E326Potassium lactateAcid or acidity regulator · Varies
- E327Calcium lactateAcid or acidity regulator · Varies
- E330Citric acidAcid or acidity regulator · Varies
- E331Sodium citratesAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E332Potassium citratesAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E333Calcium citratesAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E334Tartaric acidAcid or acidity regulator · Plant
- E335Sodium tartratesAcid or acidity regulator · Plant
- E336Potassium tartrates (cream of tartar)Raising agent · Plant
- E337Sodium potassium tartrateAcid or acidity regulator · Plant
- E338Phosphoric acidAcid or acidity regulator · Mineral
- E339Sodium phosphatesStabiliser · Mineral
- E340Potassium phosphatesStabiliser · Mineral
- E341Calcium phosphatesRaising agent · Mineral
- E343Magnesium phosphatesAnti-caking agent · Mineral
- E350Sodium malatesAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E351Potassium malateAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E352Calcium malatesAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E353Metatartaric acidStabiliser · Plant
- E354Calcium tartrateAcid or acidity regulator · Plant
- E355Adipic acidAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E356Sodium adipateAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E357Potassium adipateAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E363Succinic acidAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E380Triammonium citrateAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E385Calcium disodium EDTAAntioxidant · Made in a lab
- E392Extracts of rosemaryAntioxidant · Plant
E400–E499 · Thickeners, emulsifiers and sweeteners72 codes
- E400Alginic acidThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E401Sodium alginateThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E402Potassium alginateThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E403Ammonium alginateThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E404Calcium alginateThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E405Propane-1,2-diol alginateThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E406AgarThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E407CarrageenanThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E407aProcessed eucheuma seaweedThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E410Locust bean gum (carob)Thickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E412Guar gumThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E413TragacanthThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E414Gum arabic (acacia gum)Thickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E415Xanthan gumThickener or gelling agent · Varies
- E416Karaya gumThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E417Tara gumThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E418Gellan gumThickener or gelling agent · Varies
- E420SorbitolSweetener · Varies
- E421MannitolSweetener · Varies
- E422GlycerolThickener or gelling agent · Varies
- E423Octenyl succinic acid modified gum arabicEmulsifier · Plant
- E425KonjacThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E426Soybean hemicelluloseStabiliser · Plant
- E427Cassia gumThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E431Polyoxyethylene (40) stearateEmulsifier · Varies
- E432Polysorbate 20Emulsifier · Varies
- E433Polysorbate 80Emulsifier · Varies
- E434Polysorbate 40Emulsifier · Varies
- E435Polysorbate 60Emulsifier · Varies
- E436Polysorbate 65Emulsifier · Varies
- E440PectinsThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E442Ammonium phosphatidesEmulsifier · Varies
- E444Sucrose acetate isobutyrateStabiliser · Made in a lab
- E445Glycerol esters of wood rosinsStabiliser · Varies
- E450DiphosphatesRaising agent · Mineral
- E451TriphosphatesStabiliser · Mineral
- E452PolyphosphatesStabiliser · Mineral
- E459Beta-cyclodextrinCarrier or solvent · Plant
- E460CelluloseBulking agent · Plant
- E461Methyl celluloseThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E462Ethyl celluloseThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E463Hydroxypropyl celluloseThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E463aLow-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (L-HPC)Glazing agent · Plant
- E464Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC)Thickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E465Ethyl methyl celluloseThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E466Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)Thickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E468Cross-linked sodium carboxymethyl celluloseStabiliser · Plant
- E469Enzymatically hydrolysed carboxymethyl celluloseThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E470aSodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acidsEmulsifier · Varies
- E470bMagnesium salts of fatty acidsAnti-caking agent · Varies
- E471Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsEmulsifier · VariesRead the guide
- E472aAcetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsEmulsifier · Varies
- E472bLactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsEmulsifier · Varies
- E472cCitric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsEmulsifier · Varies
- E472dTartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsEmulsifier · Varies
- E472eDATEM (mono- and diglyceride esters)Emulsifier · Varies
- E472fMixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsEmulsifier · Varies
- E473Sucrose esters of fatty acidsEmulsifier · Varies
- E474SucroglyceridesEmulsifier · Varies
- E475Polyglycerol esters of fatty acidsEmulsifier · Varies
- E476Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR)Emulsifier · Plant
- E477Propane-1,2-diol esters of fatty acidsEmulsifier · Varies
- E479bThermally oxidised soya bean oil interacted with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsEmulsifier · Varies
- E481Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylateEmulsifier · Varies
- E482Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylateEmulsifier · Varies
- E483Stearyl tartrateEmulsifier · Varies
- E491Sorbitan monostearateEmulsifier · Varies
- E492Sorbitan tristearateEmulsifier · Varies
- E493Sorbitan monolaurateEmulsifier · Varies
- E494Sorbitan monooleateEmulsifier · Varies
- E495Sorbitan monopalmitateEmulsifier · Varies
- E499Stigmasterol-rich plant sterolsStabiliser · Plant
E500–E599 · Acidity regulators and anti-caking agents45 codes
- E500Sodium carbonates (baking soda)Raising agent · Mineral
- E501Potassium carbonatesAcid or acidity regulator · Mineral
- E503Ammonium carbonatesRaising agent · Made in a lab
- E504Magnesium carbonatesAnti-caking agent · Mineral
- E507Hydrochloric acidAcid or acidity regulator · Mineral
- E508Potassium chlorideStabiliser · Mineral
- E509Calcium chlorideStabiliser · Mineral
- E511Magnesium chlorideStabiliser · Mineral
- E512Stannous chlorideAntioxidant · Mineral
- E513Sulphuric acidAcid or acidity regulator · Mineral
- E514Sodium sulphatesAcid or acidity regulator · Mineral
- E515Potassium sulphatesAcid or acidity regulator · Mineral
- E516Calcium sulphateStabiliser · Mineral
- E517Ammonium sulphateCarrier or solvent · Made in a lab
- E520Aluminium sulphateStabiliser · Mineral
- E521Aluminium sodium sulphateStabiliser · Mineral
- E522Aluminium potassium sulphateStabiliser · Mineral
- E523Aluminium ammonium sulphateStabiliser · Mineral
- E524Sodium hydroxideAcid or acidity regulator · Mineral
- E525Potassium hydroxideAcid or acidity regulator · Mineral
- E526Calcium hydroxideAcid or acidity regulator · Mineral
- E527Ammonium hydroxideAcid or acidity regulator · Made in a lab
- E528Magnesium hydroxideAcid or acidity regulator · Mineral
- E529Calcium oxideAcid or acidity regulator · Mineral
- E530Magnesium oxideAnti-caking agent · Mineral
- E535Sodium ferrocyanideAnti-caking agent · Made in a lab
- E536Potassium ferrocyanideAnti-caking agent · Made in a lab
- E538Calcium ferrocyanideAnti-caking agent · Made in a lab
- E541Sodium aluminium phosphate, acidicRaising agent · Mineral
- E542Bone phosphateAnti-caking agent · Animal
- E551Silicon dioxide (silica)Anti-caking agent · Mineral
- E552Calcium silicateAnti-caking agent · Mineral
- E553aMagnesium silicateAnti-caking agent · Mineral
- E553bTalcAnti-caking agent · Mineral
- E554Sodium aluminium silicateAnti-caking agent · Mineral
- E555Potassium aluminium silicateCarrier or solvent · Mineral
- E570Fatty acidsGlazing agent · Varies
- E574Gluconic acidAcid or acidity regulator · Plant
- E575Glucono-delta-lactoneAcid or acidity regulator · Varies
- E576Sodium gluconateStabiliser · Plant
- E577Potassium gluconateStabiliser · Plant
- E578Calcium gluconateStabiliser · Plant
- E579Ferrous gluconateColour · Mineral
- E585Ferrous lactateColour · Varies
- E5864-hexylresorcinolAntioxidant · Made in a lab
E600–E699 · Flavour enhancers18 codes
- E620Glutamic acidFlavour enhancer · Varies
- E621Monosodium glutamate (MSG)Flavour enhancer · Varies
- E622Monopotassium glutamateFlavour enhancer · Plant
- E623Calcium diglutamateFlavour enhancer · Plant
- E624Monoammonium glutamateFlavour enhancer · Plant
- E625Magnesium diglutamateFlavour enhancer · Plant
- E626Guanylic acidFlavour enhancer · Varies
- E627Disodium guanylateFlavour enhancer · Varies
- E628Dipotassium guanylateFlavour enhancer · Varies
- E629Calcium guanylateFlavour enhancer · Varies
- E630Inosinic acidFlavour enhancer · Varies
- E631Disodium inosinateFlavour enhancer · Varies
- E632Dipotassium inosinateFlavour enhancer · Varies
- E633Calcium inosinateFlavour enhancer · Varies
- E634Calcium 5′-ribonucleotidesFlavour enhancer · Varies
- E635Disodium 5′-ribonucleotidesFlavour enhancer · Varies
- E640Glycine and its sodium saltFlavour enhancer · Varies
- E650Zinc acetateFlavour enhancer · Made in a lab
E900–E999 · Glazing agents and sweeteners38 codes
- E900Dimethyl polysiloxaneAnti-foaming agent · Made in a lab
- E901BeeswaxGlazing agent · Animal
- E902Candelilla waxGlazing agent · Plant
- E903Carnauba waxGlazing agent · Plant
- E904ShellacGlazing agent · InsectRead the guide
- E905Microcrystalline waxGlazing agent · Mineral
- E907Hydrogenated poly-1-deceneGlazing agent · Made in a lab
- E913LanolinGlazing agent · Animal
- E914Oxidised polyethylene waxGlazing agent · Made in a lab
- E920L-cysteineFlour treatment agent · Varies
- E927bCarbamideStabiliser · Made in a lab
- E938ArgonPackaging gas · Mineral
- E939HeliumPackaging gas · Mineral
- E941NitrogenPackaging gas · Mineral
- E942Nitrous oxidePropellant · Made in a lab
- E943aButanePropellant · Mineral
- E943bIsobutanePropellant · Mineral
- E944PropanePropellant · Mineral
- E948OxygenPackaging gas · Mineral
- E949HydrogenPackaging gas · Made in a lab
- E950Acesulfame KSweetener · Made in a lab
- E951AspartameSweetener · Made in a lab
- E952CyclamatesSweetener · Made in a lab
- E953IsomaltSweetener · Plant
- E954SaccharinSweetener · Made in a lab
- E955SucraloseSweetener · Made in a lab
- E957ThaumatinSweetener · Plant
- E959Neohesperidine DCSweetener · Plant
- E960Steviol glycosides (stevia)Sweetener · Plant
- E961NeotameSweetener · Made in a lab
- E962Salt of aspartame-acesulfameSweetener · Made in a lab
- E964Polyglycitol syrupSweetener · Plant
- E965MaltitolSweetener · Plant
- E966LactitolSweetener · AnimalRead the guide
- E967XylitolSweetener · Varies
- E968ErythritolSweetener · Varies
- E969AdvantameSweetener · Made in a lab
- E999Quillaia extractFoaming agent · Plant
E1000 and above · Enzymes and modified starches31 codes
- E1103InvertaseEnzyme · Varies
- E1105LysozymePreservative · AnimalRead the guide
- E1200PolydextroseBulking agent · Plant
- E1201PolyvinylpyrrolidoneCarrier or solvent · Made in a lab
- E1202PolyvinylpolypyrrolidoneStabiliser · Made in a lab
- E1203Polyvinyl alcoholGlazing agent · Made in a lab
- E1204PullulanGlazing agent · Plant
- E1205Basic methacrylate copolymerGlazing agent · Made in a lab
- E1206Neutral methacrylate copolymerGlazing agent · Made in a lab
- E1207Anionic methacrylate copolymerGlazing agent · Made in a lab
- E1208Polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymerGlazing agent · Made in a lab
- E1209Polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol-graft-co-polymerGlazing agent · Made in a lab
- E1404Oxidised starchThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E1410Monostarch phosphateThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E1412Distarch phosphateThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E1413Phosphated distarch phosphateThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E1414Acetylated distarch phosphateThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E1420Acetylated starchThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E1422Acetylated distarch adipateThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E1440Hydroxypropyl starchThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E1442Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphateThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E1450Starch sodium octenyl succinateEmulsifier · Plant
- E1451Acetylated oxidised starchThickener or gelling agent · Plant
- E1452Starch aluminium octenyl succinateCarrier or solvent · Plant
- E1505Triethyl citrateCarrier or solvent · Made in a lab
- E1510EthanolCarrier or solvent · Varies
- E1517Glyceryl diacetate (diacetin)Carrier or solvent · Varies
- E1518Glyceryl triacetate (triacetin)Carrier or solvent · Varies
- E1519Benzyl alcoholCarrier or solvent · Made in a lab
- E1520Propylene glycolCarrier or solvent · Made in a lab
- E1521Polyethylene glycolCarrier or solvent · Made in a lab
General information about label names, not a check of one product or one person.
Sources
The allergen and additive rules behind these tools:
- US FDA — Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act, plus the FASTER Act for sesame.
- UK Food Standards Agency — the fourteen allergens that must be declared.
- EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II — allergen labelling.
- Health Canada — priority allergens, gluten sources and added sulphites.
- GSO 9:2022, labelling of prepackaged food — the Gulf list of allergens that must always be declared.
- FAO/WHO international food labelling standard (CXS 1-1985), with the allergen list revised in 2024.
- EU Regulation 1333/2008 on food additives (the E-number list)
- Names and classes cross-checked with Open Food Facts (Open Database License).
What are E-numbers?
E-numbers are codes for food additives that have been assessed and approved for use in the European Union. Many countries use the same numbers, sometimes written as INS numbers. The number range gives a clue to the job: the E100s are mostly colours, the E200s preservatives, the E300s antioxidants and acidity regulators, the E400s thickeners and emulsifiers, and the E900s include glazing agents and sweeteners.
How to use the E-number decoder
- Type a code such as E120, or paste a whole ingredient list.
- Every code you type gets one answer card: the name, the job it does, and each source it can be made from.
- Sources that are declared allergens link to their guide, and the card says when a label has to name them.
Most looked-up E-numbers
Questions about E-numbers
Are E-numbers bad for you?
An E-number means the additive has been assessed and approved for use in the EU, within set limits. Some people choose to avoid certain additives for personal, dietary or health reasons, so it helps to know what each code is.
Which E-numbers come from animals or insects?
Carmine (E120) and shellac (E904) come from insects. Beeswax (E901), lanolin (E913), lysozyme (E1105) and bone phosphate (E542) come from animals, and lactitol (E966) from milk. Others, such as E471, E472e, E475, E481, E570, E422, E635 and E920, can be animal or plant, and the pack does not have to say which.
What are the “Southampton colours”?
E102, E104, E110, E122, E124 and E129. In the EU and UK, foods containing them must carry a warning that they may affect activity and attention in children.
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