E-numbers are codes for food additives approved for use in the European Union and other countries. The 'E' stands for Europe. Each number identifies a specific additive — a color, preservative, antioxidant, thickener, emulsifier, sweetener, or flavor enhancer — that has been assessed by the European Food Safety Authority. An E-number does not mean an additive is artificial: E300 is vitamin C and E101 is vitamin B2.

Which E-numbers should I avoid?

The E-numbers most commonly flagged are the 'Southampton Six' azo dyes (E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129), which carry a mandatory hyperactivity warning on EU labels; titanium dioxide (E171), banned in EU food since 2022; potassium bromate (E924) and azodicarbonamide (E927a), both banned in the EU; and erythrosine (E127, US Red 3), which the FDA revoked in 2025. Most other E-numbers are considered safe at typical intake levels.

Are E-numbers banned in the US?

The US does not use the E-number system — it uses FD&C names like 'Red 40' — but the underlying additives overlap heavily. Some additives banned in the EU remain legal in the US (titanium dioxide/E171, potassium bromate/E924, azodicarbonamide/E927a), while a few US-restricted colors like erythrosine (Red 3/E127) are being phased out. This EU–US divergence is one of the most useful things to check on any label.

Does a high E-number mean it's more dangerous?

No. The number only indicates the additive's category, not its risk. E100–E199 are colors, E200–E299 preservatives, E300–E399 antioxidants and acidity regulators, E400–E499 thickeners and emulsifiers, E500–E599 acidity regulators and anti-caking agents, E600–E699 flavor enhancers, E900–E999 glazing agents and sweeteners, and E1000+ additional additives. Risk depends on the specific substance and the amount consumed, not the size of the number.

Reference · Updated July 2026

E-Numbers List — Food Additives (E100–E1520)

Search any food additive by name or code (E100–E1520). See what it is, its risk level, and whether it's banned or restricted in the EU or US.

E-numbers are standardized codes for food additives approved in the EU (the "E" is for Europe). The number signals the category — E100s are colors, E200s preservatives, E300s antioxidants, E400s thickeners, and so on — not the danger. Many are harmless natural substances (E300 is vitamin C). A minority are banned or warning-labeled, and those differ between the EU and US. Use the search below to look up any code, then scan a label to see which ones a product actually contains.

All Acidity regulator Anti-caking Anti-foaming Antioxidant Carrier Carrier/humectant Color Emulsifier Firming agent Flavor enhancer Flour treatment Glazing Preservative Raising agent Sweetener Sweetener/humectant Thickener

All risk Safe Moderate Caution Avoid

Showing 13 of 85 additives

Code	Name	Category	Risk	EU / US status
E102	Tartrazine	Color	Caution	Southampton Six azo dye. EU requires child-hyperactivity warning label. US: FD&C Yellow 5, under FDA phase-out pressure.
E104	Quinoline Yellow	Color	Caution	Southampton Six. EU warning label required. Not permitted in US food.
E110	Sunset Yellow FCF	Color	Caution	Southampton Six azo dye. EU warning label. US: FD&C Yellow 6.
E122	Carmoisine (Azorubine)	Color	Caution	Southampton Six. EU warning label. Not permitted in US food.
E124	Ponceau 4R	Color	Caution	Southampton Six azo dye. EU warning label. Not permitted in US food.
E129	Allura Red AC	Color	Caution	Southampton Six. EU warning label. US: FD&C Red 40, under FDA phase-out pressure.
E220	Sulphur Dioxide	Preservative	Caution	Sulphite preservative. Declarable allergen; triggers asthma in sensitive people. EU & US permit; must be labeled.
E221	Sodium Sulphite	Preservative	Caution	Sulphite. Allergen for sulphite-sensitive individuals. Must be declared.
E223	Sodium Metabisulphite	Preservative	Caution	Sulphite in wine, dried fruit. Asthma trigger; declarable allergen.
E249	Potassium Nitrite	Preservative	Caution	Cured-meat preservative. Can form nitrosamines; IARC classifies processed meat (Group 1). Limit intake.
E250	Sodium Nitrite	Preservative	Caution	Cured-meat preservative. Nitrosamine formation; linked to processed-meat cancer risk. EU & US limit levels.
E251	Sodium Nitrate	Preservative	Caution	Curing salt. Converts to nitrite; same nitrosamine concern. Limit processed-meat intake.
E320	Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA)	Antioxidant	Caution	Synthetic antioxidant. IARC Group 2B (possible carcinogen). EU & US permit within limits; some states restricting.

This list covers the food additives consumers most commonly encounter and search for. Regulatory status changes; entries reflect published EU (EFSA) and US (FDA) positions as of July 2026 and are provided for general education, not as medical or legal advice. When in doubt, check the current EFSA and FDA databases.

The additives where the EU and US disagree

The most practically useful thing this list shows is regulatory divergence — additives legal on one side of the Atlantic and restricted on the other. The headline cases as of 2026:

Titanium dioxide (E171). Banned as a food additive across the EU since 2022 after EFSA could not rule out genotoxicity from nanoparticles. Still permitted in US food, though the FDA placed it under accelerated post-market review in 2025 and several states and manufacturers are removing it.
The Southampton Six (E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129). Legal in both regions, but the EU requires the label warning "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children," which the US does not. Many EU manufacturers reformulated to avoid the warning.
Erythrosine / Red 3 (E127). The FDA revoked its authorization in January 2025, with food compliance required by January 2027; long restricted in the EU, Japan, and Australia.
Potassium bromate (E924) and azodicarbonamide (E927a). Both banned in the EU; both still permitted in US flour and bread products.
Brominated vegetable oil (E443). Banned in the EU; the FDA revoked its US authorization in 2024, closing a long-standing gap.

SafeShelf's scanner applies the strictest major standard when scoring, so a US product containing an EU-banned additive is flagged even though it's legal where it was sold.

E-Numbers List — Food Additives (E100–E1520)

The additives where the EU and US disagree

See which E-numbers are in your food

Go deeper