Food additive reference
Preservatives (E-numbers)
Preservatives (mostly E200–E299) extend shelf life by slowing the growth of bacteria, yeasts and moulds. Common examples are sorbates (E200–E203), benzoates (E210–E213) and nitrites (E249–E250).
42 additives in this class, grouped by regulatory level. Informational only — not medical or dietary advice; see the methodology.
- E1105LysozymeNo regulatory flags
- E200Sorbic AcidRegulatory attention
- E201Sodium sorbateNo regulatory flags
- E202Potassium SorbateRegulatory attention
- E203Calcium SorbateNo regulatory flags
- E210Benzoic AcidRegulatory attention
- E211Sodium BenzoateRegulatory attention
- E212Potassium BenzoateRegulatory attention
- E213Calcium BenzoateRegulatory attention
- E214Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoateNo regulatory flags
- E218Methyl p-hydroxybenzoateNo regulatory flags
- E220Sulphur DioxideRestricted use
- E221Sodium SulphiteRestricted use
- E222Sodium Hydrogen SulphiteRestricted use
- E223Sodium MetabisulphiteRestricted use
- E224Potassium MetabisulphiteRestricted use
- E226Calcium SulphiteRestricted use
- E230BiphenylNo regulatory flags
- E231Orthophenyl phenolNo regulatory flags
- E232Sodium orthophenyl phenolNo regulatory flags
- E234NisinNo regulatory flags
- E235NatamycinNo regulatory flags
- E239Hexamethylene tetramineNo regulatory flags
- E242Dimethyl dicarbonateNo regulatory flags
- E243Ethyl lauroyl arginateUnder monitoring
- E249Potassium NitriteBanned / Severely restricted
- E250Sodium NitriteBanned / Severely restricted
- E251Sodium NitrateBanned / Severely restricted
- E252Potassium NitrateBanned / Severely restricted
- E260Acetic acidNo regulatory flags
- E261Potassium acetateNo regulatory flags
- E262Sodium acetatesNo regulatory flags
- E262ISodium acetateNo regulatory flags
- E262IISodium diacetateNo regulatory flags
- E263Calcium acetateNo regulatory flags
- E280Propionic AcidNo regulatory flags
- E281Sodium PropionateNo regulatory flags
- E282Calcium PropionateNo regulatory flags
- E283Potassium propionateNo regulatory flags
- E290Carbon dioxideNo regulatory flags
- E345Magnesium citrateNo regulatory flags
- E928Benzole peroxideNo regulatory flags
Questions about preservatives
- What are preservatives?
- Preservatives are food additives that act as preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. In the EU they are identified by E-numbers and approved under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008.
- Which E-numbers are preservatives?
- Forkin tracks 42 preservatives — for example Lysozyme (E1105), Sorbic Acid (E200), Sodium sorbate (E201), Potassium Sorbate (E202). The full list with each one's regulatory level is on this page.
- Are preservatives vegan?
- It depends on the individual additive and its source — many can be produced from plant, mineral or animal-derived raw materials, and the label rarely says which. The Forkin app shows verified vegan and vegetarian status per product.
Check what's in your food with Forkin
Scan any barcode and Forkin flags the preservatives and other additives a product contains, with each one's regulatory level. See how Forkin compares to other scanners or view pricing.