E Numbers

E numbers refer to the classification used in European countries for food additives. When you buy food at the grocery store, the E numbers of the additives are printed on the label of each item. The numbering scheme is the same one followed by all countries as set down by the International Numbering System in the Codex Alimetarious. Some of the additives that have been approved for use in the US, Australia, Canada and New Zealand are not approved for use in the European Union. Although the US does not use the prefix when listing the additives, the “E” is still found in such countries as Canada, Israel and Australia.

A number always follows the letter “E” on food labels and there is a special category for each group of food additives. These categories are:

100 – 199 – Colors
200 - 299 – Preservatives
300 – 399 – Antioxidants and Acidity Regulators
400 – 499 – Thickeners, Stabilizers and Emulsifiers
500 – 599 – Anticaking agents and PH regulators
600 – 600 – Flavor enhancers

The food additives from 900 – 999 take in miscellaneous additives that do not fit in the other categories. Those numbers 1100 – 1599 refer to new chemicals that do not fit into either of the categories.

Take a look at a can of food from your cupboard to see what additives it contains. You may find some of the following additives listed:

E101 – this is riboflavin, also known as Vitamin B12, but also acts as a food-coloring agent.
E128 – red food coloring
E200 – the preservative sorbic acid
E251 – sodium nitrate, another preservative
E300 – absorbic acid, also known as the antioxidant, Vitamin C
E400 – a gelling agent
E 513 – sulphuric acid
E621 – monosodium glutamate, usually known as MSG and commonly found in Chinese food
E901 – Beeswax, both white and yellow and used as a glazing agent
E1400 – Dextrin, which is used both as a stabilizer and as a thickening agent