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 32 of 85 additives

Code	Name	Category	Risk	EU / US status
E120	Cochineal / Carmine	Color	Moderate	Natural red from insects. Permitted EU & US, but a known allergen and not vegan; must be declared.
E131	Patent Blue V	Color	Moderate	Synthetic blue. Permitted EU. Not permitted in US food. Rare allergic reactions reported.
E132	Indigotine (Indigo Carmine)	Color	Moderate	Synthetic blue. EU & US (FD&C Blue 2). Generally low concern; occasional sensitivity.
E133	Brilliant Blue FCF	Color	Moderate	Synthetic blue. EU & US (FD&C Blue 1). Under US phase-out pressure but currently permitted.
E150c	Ammonia Caramel	Color	Moderate	Caramel made via ammonia process; can contain trace 4-MEI. EU sets purity limits; US permits.
E150d	Sulphite Ammonia Caramel	Color	Moderate	Common cola coloring. Trace 4-MEI (Prop 65 listed in California). EU & US permit within limits.
E160b	Annatto	Color	Moderate	Natural orange-red. Permitted EU & US. Occasional allergen.
E173	Aluminium	Color	Moderate	Metallic surface color. EU restricts to specific uses; concerns over aluminium intake.
E174	Silver	Color	Moderate	Decorative surface color. EU permits limited uses; US limited.
E210	Benzoic Acid	Preservative	Moderate	Preservative. Can form trace benzene with vitamin C in drinks. EU & US permit within limits.
E211	Sodium Benzoate	Preservative	Moderate	Common in soft drinks. Benzene formation risk with ascorbic acid; some hyperactivity concern in combination with dyes.
E321	Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT)	Antioxidant	Moderate	Synthetic antioxidant. Permitted EU & US within limits; debated long-term data.
E338	Phosphoric Acid	Acidity regulator	Moderate	Acidulant in colas. High phosphate intake concerns for kidney patients. EU & US permit.
E407	Carrageenan	Thickener	Moderate	Seaweed thickener. JECFA considers it safe at food levels; some debate over gut effects. EU & US permit; not in EU infant formula.
E420	Sorbitol	Sweetener/humectant	Moderate	Sugar alcohol. Laxative effect in quantity; EU requires 'excessive consumption may have laxative effect'. Permitted US.
E466	Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC)	Thickener	Moderate	Cellulose gum emulsifier. Permitted EU & US; some emerging gut-microbiome debate.
E471	Mono- & Diglycerides	Emulsifier	Moderate	Very common fat emulsifier. Permitted EU & US. Generally low concern; source may be animal or plant.
E551	Silicon Dioxide	Anti-caking	Moderate	Anti-caking agent. Permitted EU & US; nano-form under EU scrutiny.
E621	Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)	Flavor enhancer	Moderate	Umami enhancer. Considered safe by FDA & EFSA; 'MSG symptom complex' not supported by controlled studies. Must be declared.
E627	Disodium Guanylate	Flavor enhancer	Moderate	Umami booster, paired with MSG. Permitted EU & US. Not for those advised to limit purines/gout.
E631	Disodium Inosinate	Flavor enhancer	Moderate	Umami booster. Permitted EU & US. Often animal-derived; purine content note.
E951	Aspartame	Sweetener	Moderate	Intense sweetener. IARC classed as 'possibly carcinogenic' (2B) in 2023, but JECFA/EFSA kept the ADI; safe within limits. Contains phenylalanine — PKU warning.
E950	Acesulfame K	Sweetener	Moderate	Intense sweetener, often blended with aspartame. Permitted EU & US within ADI.
E952	Cyclamate	Sweetener	Moderate	Sweetener permitted in EU; banned in US food since 1969 pending review.
E954	Saccharin	Sweetener	Moderate	Oldest artificial sweetener. Permitted EU & US; historic rat-bladder concern not confirmed in humans.
E955	Sucralose	Sweetener	Moderate	Heat-stable sweetener. Permitted EU & US within ADI; debate over high-temperature cooking byproducts.
E965	Maltitol	Sweetener	Moderate	Sugar alcohol. Laxative effect in quantity. Permitted EU & US.
E967	Xylitol	Sweetener	Moderate	Sugar alcohol. Safe for humans within limits, but FATAL TO DOGS — keep away from pets.
E968	Erythritol	Sweetener	Moderate	Sugar alcohol. Permitted EU & US; some emerging cardiovascular research debate at high blood levels.
E1510	Ethanol	Carrier	Moderate	Alcohol carrier solvent. Permitted EU & US; relevant for those avoiding alcohol.
E1519	Benzyl Alcohol	Carrier	Moderate	Solvent/preservative. Permitted EU & US within limits; contact-allergen for some.
E1520	Propylene Glycol	Carrier/humectant	Moderate	Humectant/solvent. Permitted EU & US within limits.

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

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