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E numbers explained

122 food additives with what they do, the foods they appear in, and the EFSA acceptable daily intake where one is set.

122additives covered

EFSA re-evaluationsADI basis

Open Food Factstaxonomy

The ADI is the lifetime daily average EFSA considers safe, per kg of body weight — not a limit for one meal or one day.

Colours

ADI in mg per kg body weight per day (EFSA). "No ADI set" means EFSA published no numeric limit.
Additive	Class	Typical foods	ADI
E100 Curcumin	Colour (yellow)	Curry powders, mustard, soups, some cheeses and sweets.	3 mg/kg/day
E101 Riboflavin (vitamin B2)	Colour (yellow)	Sauces, processed cheese, breakfast cereals.	no ADI set
E102 Tartrazine	Colour (yellow)	Soft drinks, sweets, ice cream, pickles, sauces.	7.5 mg/kg/day
E104 Quinoline yellow	Colour (yellow-green)	Soft drinks, sweets, smoked fish, sauces.	0.5 mg/kg/day
E110 Sunset yellow FCF	Colour (orange)	Soft drinks, sweets, snacks, sauces.	4 mg/kg/day
E120 Carmine / cochineal	Colour (red)	Red sweets, drinks, yogurts, cosmetics.	5 mg/kg/day
E122 Azorubine / carmoisine	Colour (red)	Sweets, drinks, jams.	4 mg/kg/day
E124 Ponceau 4R	Colour (red)	Sweets, drinks, desserts, sauces.	0.7 mg/kg/day
E127 Erythrosine	Colour (pink-red)	Cocktail cherries, sweets.	0.1 mg/kg/day
E129 Allura red AC	Colour (red)	Sweets, drinks, snacks.	7 mg/kg/day
E131 Patent blue V	Colour (blue)	Sweets, drinks.	5 mg/kg/day
E132 Indigo carmine	Colour (blue)	Sweets, drinks, ice cream.	5 mg/kg/day
E133 Brilliant blue FCF	Colour (blue)	Sweets, drinks, ice cream, baked goods.	6 mg/kg/day
E140 Chlorophylls	Colour (green)	Oils, soups, sweets, ice cream.	no ADI set
E141 Copper complexes of chlorophylls	Colour (green)	Sweets, sauces, soups.	15 mg/kg/day
E142 Green S	Colour (green)	Canned peas, sweets, sauces.	5 mg/kg/day
E150A Plain caramel	Colour (brown)	Cola drinks, sauces, sweets, bread.	300 mg/kg/day
E150C Ammonia caramel	Colour (brown)	Cola drinks, sauces, beer, baked goods.	no ADI set
E150D Sulphite ammonia caramel	Colour (brown)	Cola drinks, sauces, vinegar.	no ADI set
E151 Brilliant black BN	Colour (black)	Sweets, sauces, desserts.	5 mg/kg/day
E153 Vegetable carbon	Colour (black)	Sweets, cheese rind, jams.	no ADI set
E155 Brown HT	Colour (brown)	Sauces, sweets, smoked fish.	1.5 mg/kg/day
E160A Carotenes (mixed)	Colour (orange)	Margarine, spreads, sauces, sweets.	5 mg/kg/day
E160B Annatto (bixin/norbixin)	Colour (orange-red)	Cheese, butter, snacks.	6 mg/kg/day
E160C Paprika extract	Colour (red-orange)	Sausages, snacks, sauces.	24 mg/kg/day
E160D Lycopene	Colour (red)	Sauces, drinks, sweets.	0.5 mg/kg/day
E161B Lutein	Colour (yellow)	Sweets, drinks.	1 mg/kg/day
E162 Beetroot red (betanin)	Colour (red)	Sweets, ice cream, soups.	no ADI set
E163 Anthocyanins	Colour (red-purple)	Sweets, drinks, jams.	no ADI set
E170 Calcium carbonate	Colour (white) / acidity regulator	Sweets, chewing gum, supplements.	no ADI set
E171 Titanium dioxide	Colour (white)	Was used in sweets, gum and icings.	no ADI set

Preservatives

ADI in mg per kg body weight per day (EFSA). "No ADI set" means EFSA published no numeric limit.
Additive	Class	Typical foods	ADI
E200 Sorbic acid	Preservative	Cheese, baked goods, spreads, drinks.	11 mg/kg/day
E202 Potassium sorbate	Preservative	Cheese, wine, baked goods, dressings.	11 mg/kg/day
E210 Benzoic acid	Preservative	Soft drinks, sauces, pickles, jams.	5 mg/kg/day
E211 Sodium benzoate	Preservative	Soft drinks, sauces, juices.	5 mg/kg/day
E212 Potassium benzoate	Preservative	Soft drinks, sauces.	5 mg/kg/day
E220 Sulphur dioxide	Preservative / antioxidant	Dried fruit, wine, cider.	0.7 mg/kg/day
E223 Sodium metabisulphite	Preservative / antioxidant	Dried fruit, wine, cordials.	0.7 mg/kg/day
E224 Potassium metabisulphite	Preservative / antioxidant	Wine, dried fruit.	0.7 mg/kg/day
E234 Nisin	Preservative	Cheese, liquid egg, some meats.	1 mg/kg/day
E235 Natamycin	Preservative (anti-mould)	Cheese rinds, dried sausages.	0.3 mg/kg/day
E249 Potassium nitrite	Preservative (curing)	Cured meats, bacon, sausages.	0.07 mg/kg/day
E250 Sodium nitrite	Preservative (curing)	Bacon, ham, sausages, cured fish.	0.07 mg/kg/day
E251 Sodium nitrate	Preservative (curing)	Cured meats, hard cheeses.	3.7 mg/kg/day
E252 Potassium nitrate	Preservative (curing)	Cured meats, cheeses.	3.7 mg/kg/day
E260 Acetic acid	Preservative / acidity regulator	Pickles, sauces, dressings.	no ADI set
E270 Lactic acid	Preservative / acidity regulator	Fermented foods, cheese, drinks.	no ADI set
E280 Propionic acid	Preservative (anti-mould)	Bread, baked goods.	no ADI set
E281 Sodium propionate	Preservative (anti-mould)	Bread, baked goods.	no ADI set
E282 Calcium propionate	Preservative (anti-mould)	Bread, baked goods.	no ADI set
E290 Carbon dioxide	Preservative / packaging gas	Soft drinks, modified-atmosphere packs.	no ADI set
E325 Sodium lactate	Preservative / acidity regulator	Meat products, cheese.	no ADI set

Antioxidants

ADI in mg per kg body weight per day (EFSA). "No ADI set" means EFSA published no numeric limit.
Additive	Class	Typical foods	ADI
E300 Ascorbic acid	Antioxidant	Juices, cured meats, flour, fruit products.	no ADI set
E301 Sodium ascorbate	Antioxidant	Cured meats, juices.	no ADI set
E306 Tocopherol-rich extract	Antioxidant	Oils, margarine, cereals.	no ADI set
E307 Alpha-tocopherol	Antioxidant	Oils, fats.	no ADI set
E310 Propyl gallate	Antioxidant	Fats, oils, snacks.	0.5 mg/kg/day
E319 TBHQ (tert-butylhydroquinone)	Antioxidant	Not permitted in the EU; common in US snacks.	no ADI set
E320 BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)	Antioxidant	Fats, oils, snacks, chewing gum.	1.0 mg/kg/day
E321 BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)	Antioxidant	Fats, oils, cereals, snacks.	0.25 mg/kg/day

Sweeteners

ADI in mg per kg body weight per day (EFSA). "No ADI set" means EFSA published no numeric limit.
Additive	Class	Typical foods	ADI
E950 Acesulfame K	Sweetener	Sugar-free drinks, sweets, yogurt.	9 mg/kg/day
E951 Aspartame	Sweetener	Sugar-free drinks, gum, desserts.	40 mg/kg/day
E952 Cyclamates	Sweetener	Sugar-free drinks, sweets.	7 mg/kg/day
E953 Isomalt	Sweetener	Sugar-free sweets, gum.	no ADI set
E954 Saccharin	Sweetener	Table-top sweeteners, sugar-free drinks.	5 mg/kg/day
E955 Sucralose	Sweetener	Sugar-free drinks, protein products, baked goods.	15 mg/kg/day
E957 Thaumatin	Sweetener / flavour enhancer	Sweets, drinks, gum.	no ADI set
E959 Neohesperidine DC	Sweetener	Sweets, drinks.	5 mg/kg/day
E960 Steviol glycosides	Sweetener	Sugar-free drinks, sweets, yogurt.	4 mg/kg/day
E961 Neotame	Sweetener	Table-top sweeteners, drinks.	2 mg/kg/day
E962 Salt of aspartame-acesulfame	Sweetener	Sugar-free drinks, sweets.	no ADI set
E965 Maltitol	Sweetener	Sugar-free chocolate, sweets.	no ADI set
E966 Lactitol	Sweetener	Sugar-free sweets, gum.	no ADI set
E967 Xylitol	Sweetener	Gum, sweets, toothpaste.	no ADI set
E968 Erythritol	Sweetener	Sugar-free sweets, drinks.	no ADI set

Acidity regulators

ADI in mg per kg body weight per day (EFSA). "No ADI set" means EFSA published no numeric limit.
Additive	Class	Typical foods	ADI
E296 Malic acid	Acidity regulator	Sweets, drinks, jams.	no ADI set
E297 Fumaric acid	Acidity regulator	Baked goods, drinks.	no ADI set
E338 Phosphoric acid	Acidity regulator	Cola drinks, processed cheese.	40 mg/kg/day
E339 Sodium phosphates	Acidity regulator / emulsifier	Processed meat, cheese, baked goods.	40 mg/kg/day
E341 Calcium phosphates	Acidity regulator / firming agent	Flour, dairy, supplements.	40 mg/kg/day
E330 Citric acid	Acidity regulator / antioxidant	Soft drinks, sweets, jams, sauces.	no ADI set
E331 Sodium citrates	Acidity regulator / emulsifier	Soft drinks, processed cheese.	no ADI set
E334 Tartaric acid	Acidity regulator	Wine, sweets, baked goods.	no ADI set
E500 Sodium carbonates	Acidity regulator / raising agent	Baked goods, soft drinks.	no ADI set
E501 Potassium carbonates	Acidity regulator	Cocoa, baked goods.	no ADI set

Emulsifiers and thickeners

ADI in mg per kg body weight per day (EFSA). "No ADI set" means EFSA published no numeric limit.
Additive	Class	Typical foods	ADI
E322 Lecithins	Emulsifier / antioxidant	Chocolate, baked goods, margarine.	no ADI set
E400 Alginic acid	Thickener	Ice cream, desserts, sauces.	no ADI set
E401 Sodium alginate	Thickener / stabiliser	Ice cream, desserts.	no ADI set
E406 Agar	Thickener / gelling agent	Desserts, sweets, vegetarian gels.	no ADI set
E407 Carrageenan	Thickener / stabiliser	Dairy desserts, ice cream, plant milks.	no ADI set
E410 Locust bean gum	Thickener / stabiliser	Ice cream, sauces, baked goods.	no ADI set
E412 Guar gum	Thickener / stabiliser	Sauces, ice cream, gluten-free baking.	no ADI set
E414 Gum arabic (acacia)	Thickener / stabiliser	Sweets, soft drinks, glazes.	no ADI set
E415 Xanthan gum	Thickener / stabiliser	Sauces, dressings, gluten-free baking.	no ADI set
E418 Gellan gum	Thickener / gelling agent	Plant milks, desserts.	no ADI set
E425 Konjac (glucomannan)	Thickener / gelling agent	Noodles, jelly sweets.	no ADI set
E433 Polysorbate 80	Emulsifier	Ice cream, sauces, baked goods.	25 mg/kg/day
E440 Pectins	Thickener / gelling agent	Jams, jellies, desserts.	no ADI set
E450 Diphosphates	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Processed cheese, meat, baked goods.	40 mg/kg/day
E451 Triphosphates	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Processed meat, seafood.	40 mg/kg/day
E452 Polyphosphates	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Processed meat, cheese.	40 mg/kg/day
E460 Cellulose	Thickener / anti-caking agent	Shredded cheese, sauces, supplements.	no ADI set
E466 Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)	Thickener / stabiliser	Ice cream, sauces, toothpaste.	no ADI set
E471 Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids	Emulsifier	Bread, margarine, ice cream, chocolate.	no ADI set
E476 Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR)	Emulsifier	Chocolate, spreads.	25 mg/kg/day
E1404 Oxidised starch	Thickener / stabiliser	Sauces, puddings, coatings.	no ADI set
E1412 Distarch phosphate	Thickener / stabiliser	Sauces, soups, baby foods.	no ADI set
E1422 Acetylated distarch adipate	Thickener / stabiliser	Sauces, soups, dairy desserts.	no ADI set
E1442 Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate	Thickener / stabiliser	Sauces, soups.	no ADI set

Flavour enhancers

ADI in mg per kg body weight per day (EFSA). "No ADI set" means EFSA published no numeric limit.
Additive	Class	Typical foods	ADI
E620 Glutamic acid	Flavour enhancer	Soups, sauces, snacks.	30 mg/kg/day
E621 Monosodium glutamate (MSG)	Flavour enhancer	Soups, sauces, snacks, instant noodles.	30 mg/kg/day
E627 Disodium guanylate	Flavour enhancer	Snacks, soups, instant noodles.	no ADI set
E631 Disodium inosinate	Flavour enhancer	Snacks, soups, instant noodles.	no ADI set
E635 Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides	Flavour enhancer	Snacks, soups, sauces.	no ADI set

Raising agents

ADI in mg per kg body weight per day (EFSA). "No ADI set" means EFSA published no numeric limit.
Additive	Class	Typical foods	ADI
E503 Ammonium carbonates	Raising agent	Biscuits, crackers.	no ADI set

Anti-caking agents

ADI in mg per kg body weight per day (EFSA). "No ADI set" means EFSA published no numeric limit.
Additive	Class	Typical foods	ADI
E551 Silicon dioxide	Anti-caking agent	Spice mixes, powdered foods, supplements.	no ADI set

Glazing agents

ADI in mg per kg body weight per day (EFSA). "No ADI set" means EFSA published no numeric limit.
Additive	Class	Typical foods	ADI
E901 Beeswax	Glazing agent	Sweets, fruit coatings.	no ADI set
E903 Carnauba wax	Glazing agent	Sweets, fruit coatings.	no ADI set
E904 Shellac	Glazing agent	Sweets, fruit coatings.	no ADI set

Packaging gases

ADI in mg per kg body weight per day (EFSA). "No ADI set" means EFSA published no numeric limit.
Additive	Class	Typical foods	ADI
E941 Nitrogen	Packaging gas	Snack packs, coffee.	no ADI set
E948 Oxygen	Packaging gas	Red meat packs (keeps the red colour).	no ADI set

Other

ADI in mg per kg body weight per day (EFSA). "No ADI set" means EFSA published no numeric limit.
Additive	Class	Typical foods	ADI
E422 Glycerol	Humectant / sweetener	Sweets, icings, some drinks.	no ADI set

How to read the ADI

The acceptable daily intake is stated per kilogram of body weight. Each additive page multiplies it out for a 60 kg adult, because that is the number that is actually useful in a kitchen. EFSA builds in a wide safety margin — usually a factor of 100 — between the ADI and the level that shows any effect in studies.

Two rows need special reading. E171 titanium dioxide is not permitted in EU food since 2022 and is listed for look-up only. E967 xylitol is safe for people but extremely toxic to dogs, even in small amounts.

Sources: EFSA — food additives re-evaluations · Open Food Facts — additives taxonomy · checked 2026-09-03

Frequently asked questions

What does an E number mean?

It means the additive passed a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) safety assessment and may be used in the EU under defined conditions. The E is the EU harmonised code; the same substances carry different code systems elsewhere.

Are E numbers bad?

No — the list spans everything from vitamin C (E300) to baking soda (E500). What matters is which substance, in which foods, and how much. That is exactly what this page lists.

What is an ADI?

The acceptable daily intake: the amount in milligrams per kilogram of body weight that can be eaten every day for a lifetime without harm, usually with a 100-fold safety margin built in. A day above the ADI is not a health event; the ADI is a lifetime average.

Why is titanium dioxide (E171) on this page if it is banned?

Because it still appears on older labels and in medicines and toothpaste, so people look it up. It has not been permitted as a food additive in the EU since 2022.

Curious what is actually in your food plan

TempoLife tracks macros and meals — the label-reading habit this page teaches pays off every shop.

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