EU E-Number Food Additives

Yellow-orange coloring in mustard, curry powders, confectionery, dairy alternatives, and savory snacks.

Yellow coloring and nutrient fortification in cereals, dairy products, and energy drinks.

Yellow coloring in soft drinks, confectionery, desserts, and processed snacks.

Greenish-yellow dye in beverages, confectionery, and smoked fish products (where permitted).

Orange-yellow coloring in beverages, desserts, cereals, and snack foods.

Red coloring in yogurts, drinks, confectionery, and cosmetics-adjacent food products.

Red coloring in beverages, confectionery, and processed foods.

Blue coloring in confectionery, ice cream, and beverages; often combined with yellow dyes to produce green.

Green coloring in canned vegetables, confectionery, and dairy products.

Brown coloring in colas, baked goods, sauces, and spirits.

Yellow-orange coloring and provitamin A source in margarine, drinks, and confectionery.

Pink to red coloring in yogurts, ice cream, and confectionery.

Formerly used as white color in chewing gum, confectionery, and bakery decorations in the EU.

Preservative in cheese, wine, baked goods, and dried fruits to inhibit molds and yeasts.

Preservative in wine, dried fruit, yogurt, and baked goods.

Preservative in acidic beverages, pickles, and sauces.

Preservative in soft drinks, fruit juices, and acidic condiments.

Preservative and antioxidant in wine, dried fruit, and processed potatoes.

Preservative and color fixative in cured meats (ham, bacon, sausages).

Curing agent in certain traditional meat products; gradually converted to nitrite.

Antioxidant in bread, beverages, cured meats (to inhibit nitrosamine formation), and fruit preparations.

Antioxidant in meat products, beverages, and canned foods.

Antioxidant in oils, fats, cereals, and snack products to prevent rancidity.

Antioxidant in fats, oils, chewing gum, and dehydrated potatoes.

Antioxidant in cereals, dehydrated potatoes, and packaging materials (indirect contact regulated separately).

Emulsifier in chocolate, margarine, baked goods, and instant products.

Acidity regulator, flavor enhancer, and chelating agent in beverages, confectionery, and canned goods.

Buffering agent and emulsifying salt in processed cheese, beverages, and ice cream.

Acidity regulator and flavouring synergist in cola-type beverages, processed cheese, and bakery products.

Buffering agent, emulsifying salt, and moisture-retention aid in processed cheese, cooked meats, baked goods, and powdered foods.

Buffering and emulsifying salt in processed cheese, coffee whiteners, and low-sodium formulations (potassium replaces some sodium).

Acidity regulator, firming agent, and calcium fortificant in baking powder, cereals, and dairy alternatives.

Thickener and gelling agent in ice cream, desserts, and gluten-free baking.

Thickener and stabilizer in dairy desserts, plant milks, and processed meats.

Thickener in ice cream, sauces, gluten-free products, and dairy alternatives.

Emulsifier and coating in confectionery, soft drinks (emulsion stabilizer), and encapsulation.

Thickener and stabilizer in sauces, salad dressings, gluten-free baking, and plant-based milks.

Sweetener, humectant, and bulking agent in sugar-free gum, confectionery, and baked goods.

Sweetener and anti-caking agent in chewing gum and confectionery.

Emulsifier in ice cream, baked goods, and vitamin preparations.

Emulsifier in bread, margarine, ice cream, and confectionery.

Flavor enhancer (umami) in savory processed foods; occurs naturally in tomatoes, cheese, and fermented products.

Flavor enhancer in soups, snacks, ready meals, and seasonings.

Flavor enhancer synergistic with glutamates in savory snacks and soups.

Flavor enhancer in crisps, instant noodles, and savory seasonings (often with E 621 and E 627).

High-intensity sweetener in soft drinks, tabletop sweeteners, and dairy desserts.

High-intensity sweetener in soft drinks, chewing gum, and tabletop sweeteners.

High-intensity sweetener in beverages, baked goods, and dairy products.

Natural-origin high-intensity sweetener in beverages, yogurts, and tabletop products.

Bulk sweetener in sugar-free chocolate and confectionery.