E Number List
E number range Subranges Description
100–199 (full list) 100–109 yellows
Colours 110–119 oranges
120–129 reds
130–139 blues & violets
140–149 greens
150–159 browns & blacks
160–199 gold and others
200–299 (full list) 200–209 sorbates
Preservatives 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 (full list) 300–305 ascorbates (vitamin C)
Antioxidants 306–309 Tocopherol (vitamin E)
& 310–319 gallates & erythorbates
acidity regulators 320–329 lactates
330–339 citrates & tartrates
340–349 phosphates
350–359 malates & adipates
360–369 succinates & fumarates
370–399 others
400–499 (full list) 400–409 alginates
Thickeners, stabilisers 410–419 natural gums
& emulsifiers 420–429 other natural agents
430–439 polyoxyethene compounds
440–449 natural emulsifiers
450–459 phosphates
460–469 cellulose compounds
470–489 fatty acids & compounds
490–499 others
500–599 (full list) 500–509 mineral acids & bases
pH regulators 510–519 chlorides & sulphates
& anti-caking agents 520–529 sulphates & hydroxides
530–549 alkali metal compounds
550–559 silicates
570–579 stearates & gluconates
580–599 others
600–699 (full list) 620–629 glutamates & guanylates
Flavour enhancers 630–639 inosinates
640–649 others
700–799 (full list) 700–713
Antibiotics
900–999 (full list) 900–909 waxes
Miscellaneous 910–919 synthetic glazes
920–929 improving agents
930–949 packaging gases
950–969 sweeteners
990–999 foaming agents
1100–1599 (full list) 1100–1599 New chemicals that do not fall into standard classification schemes
Additional chemicals
Code Name(s) Colour
E100 Curcumin (from turmeric) Yellow-orange
E101 Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), formerly called lactoflavin Yellow-orange
E101a Riboflavin-5'-Phosphate Yellow-orange
E102 Tartrazine (FD&C Yellow 5) Lemon yellow
E103 Alkannin Red-brown
E104 Quinoline Yellow WS Dull or greenish yellow
E105 Fast Yellow AB Yellow
E106 Riboflavin-5-Sodium Phosphate Yellow
E107 Yellow 2G Yellow
E110 Sunset Yellow FCF (Orange Yellow S, FD&C Yellow 6) Yellow-orange
E111 Orange GGN Orange
E120 Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmine (Natural Red 4) Crimson
E121 Citrus Red 2 Dark red
E122 Carmoisine (azorubine) Red to maroon
E123 Amaranth (FD&C Red 2) Dark red
E124 Ponceau 4R (Cochineal Red A, Brilliant Scarlet 4R) Red
E125 Ponceau SX, Scarlet GN Red
E126 Ponceau 6R Red
E127 Erythrosine (FD&C Red 3) Red
E128 Red 2G Red
E129 Allura Red AC (FD&C Red 40) Red
E130 Indanthrene blue RS Blue
E131 Patent Blue V Dark blue
E132 Indigo carmine (indigotine, FD&C Blue 2) Indigo
E133 Brilliant Blue FCF (FD&C Blue 1) Reddish blue
E140 Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins:
(i) Chlorophylls
(ii) Chlorophyllins Green
E141 Copper complexes of chlorophylls and chlorophyllins
(i) Copper complexes of chlorophylls
(ii) Copper complexes of chlorophyllins Green
E142 Green S Green
E143 Fast Green FCF (FD&C Green 3) Sea green
E150a Plain caramel Brown
E150b Caustic sulphite caramel Brown
E150c Ammonia caramel Brown
E150d Sulphite ammonia caramel Brown
E151 Black PN, Brilliant Black BN Black
E152 Carbon black (hydrocarbon) Black
E153 Vegetable carbon Black
E154 Brown FK (kipper brown) Brown
E155 Brown HT (chocolate brown HT) Brown
E160a Alpha-carotene, Beta-carotene, Gamma-carotene Yellow-orange to brown
E160b Annatto, bixin, norbixin Orange
E160c Paprika oleoresin, Capsanthin, capsorubin Red
E160d Lycopene Bright to deep red
E160e Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (C 30) Orange-red to yellow
E160f Ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenic acid (C 30) Orange-red to yellow
E161a Flavoxanthin Golden-yellow and brownish
E161b Lutein Orange-red to yellow
E161c Cryptoxanthin Orange-red
E161d Rubixanthin Orange-red
E161e Violaxanthin Orange
E161f Rhodoxanthin Purple
E161g Canthaxanthin Violet
E161h Zeaxanthin Orange-red
E161i Citranaxanthin Deep violet
E161j Astaxanthin Red
E162 Beetroot Red, Betanin Red
E163 Anthocyanins pH dependent(Red, green and purple ranges)
E164 Saffron Orange-red
E170 Calcium carbonate, Chalk White
E171 Titanium dioxide White
E172 Iron oxides and iron hydroxides Brown
E173 Aluminium Silver to grey
E174 Silver Silver
E175 Gold Gold
E180 Pigment Rubine, Lithol Rubine BK Red
E181 Tannin Brown
E182 Orcein, Orchil Purple
Code Name(s) Purpose
E200 Sorbic acid preservative
E201 Sodium sorbate preservative
E202 Potassium sorbate preservative
E203 Calcium sorbate preservative
E209 Heptyl p-hydroxybenzoat preservative
E210 Benzoic acid preservative
E211 Sodium benzoate preservative
E212 Potassium benzoate preservative
E213 Calcium benzoate preservative
E214 Ethylparaben
(ethyl para-hydroxybenzoate) preservative
E215 Sodium ethyl
para-hydroxybenzoate preservative
E216 Propylparaben
(propyl para-hydroxybenzoate) preservative
E217 Sodium propyl
para-hydroxybenzoate preservative
E218 Methylparaben
(methyl para-hydroxybenzoate) preservative
E219 Sodium methyl
para-hydroxybenzoate preservative
E220 Sulphur dioxide preservative
E221 Sodium sulphite preservative
E222 Sodium bisulphite
(sodium hydrogen sulphite) preservative
E223 Sodium metabisulphite preservative
E224 Potassium metabisulphite preservative
E225 Potassium sulphite preservative
E226 Calcium sulphite preservative
E227 Calcium hydrogen sulphite preservative
E228 Potassium hydrogen sulphite preservative
E230 Biphenyl, diphenyl preservative
E231 Orthophenyl phenol preservative
E232 Sodium orthophenyl phenol preservative
E233 Thiabendazole preservative
E234 Nisin preservative
E235 Natamycin, Pimaracin preservative
E236 Formic acid preservative
E237 Sodium formate preservative
E238 Calcium formate preservative
E239 Hexamine
(hexamethylene tetramine) preservative
E240 Formaldehyde preservative
E242 Dimethyl dicarbonate preservative
E249 Potassium nitrite preservative
E250 Sodium nitrite preservative
E251 Sodium nitrate
(Chile saltpeter) preservative
E252 Potassium nitrate (Saltpetre) preservative
E260 Acetic acid acidity regulator
E261 Potassium acetate acidity regulator
E262 Sodium acetates
(i) Sodium acetate
(ii) Sodium diacetate (sodium hydrogen acetate) preservative, acidity regulator
E263 Calcium acetate(preservative) acidity regulator
E264 Ammonium acetate preservative
E265 Dehydroacetic acid preservative
E266 Sodium dehydroacetate preservative
E270 Lactic acid(preservative) antioxident
E280 Propionic acid preservative
E281 Sodium propionate preservative
E282 Calcium propionate preservative
E283 Potassium propionate preservative
E284 Boric acid preservative
E285 Sodium tetraborate (borax) preservative
E290 Carbon dioxide acidity regulator
E296 Malic acid (acid) acidity regulator
E297 Fumaric acid acidity regulator
E300–E399 (antioxidants, acidity regulators)
Code Name(s) Purpose
E300 Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) antioxidant
E301 Sodium ascorbate antioxidant
E302 Calcium ascorbate antioxidant
E303 Potassium ascorbate antioxidant
E304 Fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid (Ascorbyl palmitate) antioxidant
E305 Ascorbyl stearate antioxidant
E306 Tocopherols (natural) antioxidant
E307 Alpha-tocopherol (synthetic) antioxidant
E308 Gamma-tocopherol (synthetic) antioxidant
E309 Delta-tocopherol (synthetic) antioxidant
E310 Propyl gallate antioxidant
E311 Octyl gallate antioxidant
E312 Dodecyl gallate antioxidant
E313 Ethyl gallate antioxidant
E314 Guaiac resin antioxidant
E315 Erythorbic acid antioxidant
E316 Sodium erythorbate antioxidant
E317 Erythorbin acid antioxidant
E318 Sodium erythorbin antioxidant
E319 tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) antioxidant
E320 Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) antioxidant
E321 Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) antioxidant
E322 Lecithin emulsifier
E323 Anoxomer antioxidant
E324 Ethoxyquin antioxidant
E325 Sodium lactate acidity regulator
E326 Potassium lactate (antioxidant) acidity regulator
E327 Calcium lactate acidity regulator
E328 Ammonium lactate acidity regulator
E329 Magnesium lactate acidity regulator
E330 Citric acid acid, acidity regulator
E331 Sodium citrates
(i) Monosodium citrate
(ii) Disodium citrate
(iii) Sodium citrate (trisodium citrate) acidity regulator
E332 Potassium citrates
(i) Monopotassium citrate acidity regulator
(ii) Potassium citrate (tripotassium citrate)
E333 Calcium citrates
(i) Monocalcium citrate
(ii) Dicalcium citrate
(iii) Calcium citrate (tricalcium citrate) acidity regulator, firming agent, sequestrant
E334 Tartaric acid (L( )-) (acid)
E335 Sodium tartrates
(i) Monosodium tartrate
(ii), Disodium tartrate acidity regulator
E336 Potassium tartrates
(i) Monopotassium tartrate (cream of tartar)
(ii) Dipotassium tartrate acidity regulator
E337 Sodium potassium tartrate acidity regulator
E338 Orthophosphoric acid acid
E339 Sodium phosphates
(i) Monosodium phosphate
(ii) Disodium phosphate
(iii) Trisodium phosphate antioxidant
E340 Potassium phosphates
(i) Monopotassium phosphate
(ii) Dipotassium phosphate
(iii) Tripotassium phosphate antioxidant
E341 Calcium phosphates
(i) Monocalcium phosphate
(ii) Dicalcium phosphate
(iii) Tricalcium phosphate anti-caking agent, firming agent
E342 Ammonium phosphates:
(i) monoammonium phosphate
(ii) diammonium phosphate
E343 Magnesium phosphates
(i) monomagnesium phosphate
(ii) Dimagnesium phosphate anti-caking agent
E344 Lecitin citrate acidity regulator
E345 Magnesium citrate acidity regulator
E349 Ammonium malate acidity regulator
E350 Sodium malates
(i) Sodium malate
(ii) Sodium hydrogen malate acidity regulator
E351 Potassium malate acidity regulator
E352 Calcium malates
(i) Calcium malate
(ii) Calcium hydrogen malate acidity regulator
E353 Metatartaric acid emulsifier
E354 Calcium tartrate emulsifier
E355 Adipic acid acidity regulator
E356 Sodium adipate acidity regulator
E357 Potassium adipate acidity regulator
E359 Ammonium adipate acidity regulator
E363 Succinic acid acidity regulator
E365 Sodium fumarate acidity regulator
E366 Potassium fumarate acidity regulator
E367 Calcium fumarate acidity regulator
E368 Ammonium fumarate acidity regulator
E370 1,4-Heptonolactone acidity regulator
E380 Triammonium citrate acidity regulator
E381 Ammonium ferric citrate acidity regulator
E383 Calcium glycerylphosphate acidity regulator
E384 Isopropyl citrate acidity regulator
E385 Calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate,
(Calcium disodium EDTA) sequestrant
E386 Disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate
(Disodium EDTA) sequestrant
E387 Oxystearin stabiliser
E388 Thiodipropionic acid
E389 Dilauryl thiodipropionate
E390 Distearyl thiodipropionate
E391 Phytic acid
E392 Extracts of rosemary
E399 Calcium lactobionate
E400–E499 (thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers)
Code Name(s) Purpose
E400 Alginic acid (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) emulsifier
E401 Sodium alginate (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) emulsifier
E402 Potassium alginate (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) emulsifier
E403 Ammonium alginate (thickener) (stabiliser) emulsifier
E404 Calcium alginate (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) emulsifier
E405 Propane-1,2-diol alginate (Propylene glycol alginate) (thickener) (stabiliser) emulsifier
E406 Agar (thickener) (gelling agent) stabiliser
E407 Carrageenan (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) emulsifier
E407a Processed eucheuma seaweed (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) emulsifier
E408 Bakers yeast glycan
E409 Arabinogalactan
E410 Locust bean gum (Carob gum) (thickener) (stabiliser) (gelling agent) emulsifier
E411 Oat gum (thickener) stabiliser
E412 Guar gum (thickener) stabiliser
E413 Tragacanth (thickener) (stabiliser) emulsifier
E414 Acacia gum (gum arabic) (thickener) (stabiliser) emulsifier
E415 Xanthan gum (thickener) stabiliser
E416 Karaya gum (thickener) (stabiliser) emulsifier
E417 Tara gum (thickener) stabiliser
E418 Gellan gum (thickener) (stabiliser) emulsifier
E419 Gum ghatti (thickener) (stabiliser) emulsifier
E420 Sorbitol (i) Sorbitol (ii) Sorbitol syrup (emulsifier) (sweetener) humectant
E421 Mannitol (anti-caking agent) sweetener
E422 Glycerol (emulsifier) sweetener
E424 Curdlan
E425 Konjac (i) Konjac gum (ii) Konjac glucomannane emulsifier
E426 Soybean hemicellulose
E427 Cassia gum
E429 Peptones
E430 Polyoxyethene (8) stearate (emulsifier) stabiliser
E431 Polyoxyethene (40) stearate emulsifier
E432 Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (polysorbate 20) emulsifier
E433 Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monooleate (polysorbate 80) emulsifier
E434 Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate (polysorbate 40) emulsifier
E435 Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan monostearate (polysorbate 60) emulsifier
E436 Polyoxyethene (20) sorbitan tristearate (polysorbate 65) emulsifier
E440 Pectins (i) pectin (ii) amidated pectin emulsifier
E441 Gelatine (emulsifier) gelling agent
E442 Ammonium phosphatides emulsifier
E443 Brominated vegetable oil emulsifier
E444 Sucrose acetate isobutyrate emulsifier
E445 Glycerol esters of wood rosins emulsifier
E446 Succistearin
E450 Diphosphates
(i) Disodium diphosphate
(ii) Trisodium diphosphate
(iii) Tetrasodium diphosphate
(iv) Dipotassium diphosphate
(v) Tetrapotassium diphosphate
(vi) Dicalcium diphosphate
(vii) Calcium dihydrogen diphosphate emulsifier
E451 Triphosphates
(i) Sodium triphosphate (pentasodium triphosphate)
(ii) Pentapotassium triphosphate emulsifier
E452 Polyphosphates
(i) Sodium polyphosphates
(ii) Potassium polyphosphates
(iii) Sodium calcium polyphosphate
(iv) Calcium polyphosphates
(v) Ammonium polyphosphate emulsifier
E459 Beta-cyclodextrin emulsifier
E460 Cellulose (i) Microcrystalline cellulose (ii) Powdered cellulose emulsifier
E461 Methyl cellulose emulsifier
E462 Ethyl cellulose emulsifier
E463 Hydroxypropyl cellulose emulsifier
E464 Hypromellose (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) emulsifier
E465 Ethyl methyl cellulose emulsifier
E466 Carboxymethyl cellulose, Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose emulsifier
E467 Ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose
E468 Crosslinked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Croscarmellose) emulsifier
E469 Enzymically hydrolysed carboxymethylcellulose emulsifier
E470a Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids (emulsifier) anti-caking agent
E470b Magnesium salts of fatty acids (emulsifier) anti-caking agent
E471 Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl distearate) emulsifier
E472a Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids emulsifier
E472b Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids emulsifier
E472c Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids emulsifier
E472d Tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids emulsifier
E472e Mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids emulsifier
E472f Mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids emulsifier
E472g Succinylated monoglycerides 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, propylene glycol esters of fatty acids emulsifier
E478 Lactylated fatty acid esters of glycerol and propane-1 emulsifier
E479b Thermally oxidized soya bean oil interacted with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids emulsifier
E480 Dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate emulsifier
E481 Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate emulsifier
E482 Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate emulsifier
E483 Stearyl tartrate emulsifier
E484 Stearyl citrate emulsifier
E485 Sodium stearoyl fumarate emulsifier
E486 Calcium stearoyl fumarate emulsifier
E487 Sodium laurylsulphate emulsifier
E488 Ethoxylated Mono- and Di-Glycerides emulsifier
E489 Methyl glucoside-coconut oil ester emulsifier
E490 Propane-1,2-diol
E491 Sorbitan monostearate emulsifier
E492 Sorbitan tristearate emulsifier
E493 Sorbitan monolaurate emulsifier
E494 Sorbitan monooleate emulsifier
E495 Sorbitan monopalmitate emulsifier
E496 Sorbitan trioleate emulsifier
E497 Polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene polymers
E498 Partial polyglycerol esters of polycondensed fatty acids of castor oil
E500–E599 (acidity regulators, anti-caking agents)
Code Name(s) Purpose
E500 Sodium carbonates
(i) Sodium carbonate
(ii) Sodium bicarbonate (Sodium hydrogen carbonate)
(iii) Sodium sesquicarbonate (acidity regulator) raising agent
E501 Potassium carbonates
(i) Potassium carbonate
(ii) Potassium bicarbonate (Potassium hydrogen carbonate) acidity regulator
E503 Ammonium carbonates
(i) Ammonium carbonate
(ii) Ammonium bicarbonate (Ammonium hydrogen carbonate) acidity regulator
E504 Magnesium carbonates
(i) Magnesium carbonate
(ii) Magnesium bicarbonate Magnesium hydrogen carbonate acidity regulator, anti-caking agent
E505 Ferrous carbonate acidity regulator
E507 Hydrochloric acid acid
E508 Potassium chloride (gelling agent) seasoning
E509 Calcium chloride (sequestrant) firming agent
E510 Ammonium chloride, ammonia solution (acidity regulator) improving agent
E511 Magnesium chloride firming agent
E512 Stannous chloride antioxidant
E513 Sulphuric acid acid
E514 Sodium sulphates
(i) Sodium sulphate
(ii)acid
E515 Potassium Sulphates
(i) Potassium Sulphate
E516 Calcium sulphate
E517 Ammonium sulphate acidity regulator
E518 Magnesium sulphate (Epsom salts), (acidity regulator) firming agent
E519 Copper(II) sulphate preservative
E520 Aluminium sulphate firming agent
E521 Aluminium sodium sulphate firming agent
E522 Aluminium potassium sulphate acidity regulator
E523 Aluminium ammonium sulphate acidity regulator
E524 Sodium hydroxide acidity regulator
E525 Potassium hydroxide acidity regulator
E526 Calcium hydroxide (acidity regulator) firming agent
E527 Ammonium hydroxide acidity regulator
E528 Magnesium hydroxide acidity regulator
E529 Calcium oxide (acidity regulator) improving agent
E530 Magnesium oxide (acidity regulator) anti-caking agent
E535 Sodium ferrocyanide (acidity regulator) anti-caking agent
E536 Potassium ferrocyanide anti-caking agent
E537 Ferrous hexacyanomanganate anti-caking agent
E538 Calcium ferrocyanide anti-caking agent
E539 Sodium thiosulphate antioxidant
E540 Dicalcium diphosphate (acidity regulator) emulsifier
E541 Sodium aluminium phosphate (i) Acidic (ii) Basic emulsifier
E542 Bone phosphate (Essentiale Calcium Phosphate, Tribasic) anti-caking agent
E543 Calcium sodium polyphosphate emulsifier
E544 Calcium polyphosphate emulsifier
E545 Ammonium polyphosphate emulsifier
E550 Sodium Silicates
(i) Sodium silicate
(ii) Sodium metasilicate anti-caking agent
E551 Silicon dioxide (Silica) anti-caking agent
E552 Calcium silicate anti-caking agent
E553a (i) Magnesium silicate (ii) Magnesium trisilicate anti-caking agent
E553b Talc anti-caking agent
E554 Sodium aluminosilicate (sodium aluminium silicate) anti-caking agent
E555 Potassium aluminium silicate anti-caking agent
E556 Calcium aluminosilicate (calcium aluminium silicate) anti-caking agent
E557 Zinc silicate anti-caking agent
E558 Bentonite anti-caking agent
E559 Aluminium silicate (Kaolin)
