E number

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For the number that is base of the natural logarithm (≈ 2.71828), see e (mathematical constant).
For the mathematical concept in sports, see Magic number (sports)

E numbers are codes for food additives and are usually found on food labels throughout the European Union. The numbering scheme follows that of the International Numbering System (INS) as determined by the Codex Alimentarius committee. Only a subset of the INS additives are approved for use in the European Union, giving rise to the 'E' prefix.

E numbers are also encountered on food labeling in other jurisdictions, including Australia, New Zealand and Israel.

Contents

[edit] Classification by numeric range

100-199

Colours

 100-109 – yellows
110-119 – oranges
120-129 – reds
130-139 – blues & violets
140-149 – greens
150-159 – browns & blacks
160-199 – others

200-299

Preservatives

 200-209 – sorbates
210-219 – benzoates
220-229 – sulphites
230-239 – phenols & formates (methanoates)
240-259 – nitrates
260-269 – acetates (ethanoates)
270-279 – lactates
280-289 – propionates (propanoates)
290-299 – others

300-399

Antioxidants & acidity regulators

 300-309 – ascorbates (vitamin C)
310-319 – gallates & erythorbates
320-329 – lactates
330-339 – citrates & tartrates
340-349 – phosphates
350-359 – malates & adipates
360-369 – succinates & fumarates
370-399 – others

400-499

Thickeners, stabilisers & emulsifiers

 400-409 – alginates
410-419 – natural gums
420-429 – other natural agents
430-439 – polyoxythene compounds
440-449 – natural emulsifiers
450-459 – phosphates
460-469 – cellulose compounds
470-489 – fatty acids & compounds
490-499 – others

500-599

pH regulators & anti-caking agents

 500-509 – mineral acids & bases
510-519 – chlorides & sulphates
520-529 – sulphates & hydroxides
530-549 – alkali metal compounds
550-559 – silicates
570-579 – stearates & gluconates
580-599 – others

600-699

Flavour enhancers

 620-629 – glutamates
630-639 – inosinates
640-649 – others

900-999

Miscellaneous

 900-909 – waxes
910-919 – synthetic glazes
920-929 –  improving agents
930-949 – packaging gases
950-969 – sweeteners
990-999 – foaming agents

1100-1599

Additional chemicals

 New chemicals that do not fall into standard classification schemes

NB: Not all examples of a class fall into the given numeric range. Moreover, many chemicals, particularly in the E400-499 range, have a variety of purposes.

[edit] Abbreviations used in this article

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Please help improve this article by introducing appropriate citations. (help, get involved!) This article has been tagged since October 2006.
  • PAR - Possible allergic reaction
  • LGM - Likely to be from genetically modified organisms
  • AO - Animal Origin

[edit] Full list

[edit] E100–E199 (colours)

[edit] E200–E299 (preservatives)

[edit] E300–E399 (antioxidants, acidity regulators)

[edit] E400–E499 (thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers)

[edit] E500–E599 (acidity regulators, anti-caking agents)

[edit] E600–E699 (flavour enhancers)

[edit] E900–E999 (miscellaneous)

[edit] E1000–E1999 (additional chemicals)

[edit] E Number Myths

Contrary to the radical opinions expressed by contraversial modern-day speaker Lewis Burke, the Codex Alimentarius committee and the adopted European convention includes 100 preservatives and does not just consist of colourings and flavourings.

[edit] See also

For a list of words with definitions, see the E numbers category of words in Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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