What are E-numbers?

E-numbers are the codes for food additives approved for use in the European Union. The “E” stands for Europe, and each number identifies one specific additive: a colour, preservative, sweetener, emulsifier, or similar. When you see “E621” on a label, that's monosodium glutamate; “E300” is vitamin C.

Why they exist

The system exists so a label can name an additive in a single, unambiguous code that means the same thing in every EU language. Rather than printing “monosodium glutamate” in twenty translations, a manufacturer can write “E621”. Under EU law, additives generally have to be declared either by their name or by their E-number, so anything present is on the label somewhere. The code is just the compact form.

How the numbering works

The number isn't random. The range tells you roughly what kind of additive it is.

RangeWhat it isExamples
E100–E199ColoursE100 curcumin, E129 allura red
E200–E299PreservativesE211 sodium benzoate, E250 sodium nitrite
E300–E399Antioxidants & acidity regulatorsE300 vitamin C, E320 BHA
E400–E499Thickeners, emulsifiers & stabilisersE407 carrageenan, E471 mono- and diglycerides
E500–E599Acidity regulators & anti-caking agentsE500 sodium carbonate
E600–E699Flavour enhancersE621 monosodium glutamate (MSG)
E900–E999Glazing agents, gases & sweetenersE951 aspartame, E950 acesulfame K
E1000–E1599Additional additivesE1400 modified starches

Does an E-number mean it's bad?

No, and this is the most common misunderstanding. An E-number only tells you an additive is officially approved and present. Plenty are harmless or even beneficial: E300 is vitamin C, E440 is the pectin that sets jam, E160a is beta-carotene. The code is neutral. What matters is the individual substance behind it, and that's where the real answer lives.

“Approved” also doesn't automatically mean “safe by today's evidence.” Many additives were approved decades ago, and the EU's food-safety body, EFSA, re-evaluates them as new research appears. Some have since been given lower limits or flagged for restriction. So the useful question isn't “does it have an E-number?” but “what does EFSA actually say about this one?”

Frequently asked questions

What does the "E" in E-numbers stand for?
The E stands for Europe. An E-number means the additive has been assessed and approved for use in the European Union (and the wider European Economic Area). The number itself identifies the specific substance.
Does an E-number mean an additive is dangerous?
No. An E-number only means the additive is officially recognised and approved for use. Many E-numbers are ordinary, well-studied substances. E300 is vitamin C, E440 is apple pectin. The number tells you an additive is present; it does not tell you whether it is worth avoiding. That depends on the specific substance.
Does "approved" mean "safe"?
Approval means a regulator judged the additive acceptable at expected levels of exposure, often decades ago. Science moves, and EFSA re-evaluates additives over time. Some approved additives have since been flagged for reduced limits or restrictions (for example, certain colours and sweeteners), which is why "approved" and "safe today" are not always the same thing.
Are E-numbers only used in Europe?
The E-number system is European, but almost all of these additives are used worldwide. They just appear under a chemical name or a different code elsewhere (for instance, the US lists them by name or FD&C number rather than an E-number).

Want the verdict on a specific one? Browse every E-number with its safety rating, or start with the additives actually worth avoiding.

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