E-Numbers

Description About E-numbers

E-numbers are simply the code numbers used to identify food additives that have been shown to be safe and officially approved for use in food across the EU.

Foods sold in the European Union (EU) have had full ingredient labelling since the mid-1980s. These include standard codes (E-numbers) that accurately describe additives used in the production of food. These numbers are also used in Australia and New Zealand but without the E.

Many of these additives were once of natural origin. However, most are now prepared/produced synthetically as these are often less expensive than the natural product.

E100s are generally colours.
E200 to E282 are mainly preservatives and acids.
E300 to E341 are mainly antioxidants and acid regulators.
E400s include emulsifiers, stabilisers, thickeners, anti-caking agents, release agents and bulking agents.