An E-number is the code given to a food additive that has been assessed and approved for use in the European Union and EFTA. The “E” stands for Europe. The number identifies the substance and its broad function — for example E100–E199 are colours, E200–E299 preservatives, E300–E399 antioxidants and acidity regulators, E400–E499 thickeners, stabilisers and emulsifiers.

What does an E-number tell you?

An E-number on its own does not determine the regulatory level — it only means the additive is approved and identified. Some are simple substances like vitamin C (E300) or baking soda (E500). Forkin groups additives by what regulators have said (under monitoring, restricted use, banned) rather than making a blanket health claim.

Which E-numbers are banned?

Bans differ by country and change over time as regulators re-evaluate the evidence. Forkin tags additives that are banned or severely restricted in one or more jurisdictions; open any additive page to see its regulatory level, and the Forkin app for restrictions by country.

It depends on the additive and its source — many can be made 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 rather than a guess from the E-number alone.

Reference

Food additives (E-numbers)

Look up any food additive by its E-number or name. Forkin tracks 639 additives, grouped by what regulators have said about each one. Tap a code for its profile.

Regulatory levels reflect EFSA re-evaluations and exposure assessments, IARC monograph classifications, the EU food additive register (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and mandatory warning labels, ECHA harmonised CLP classifications, FAO/WHO JECFA acceptable-daily-intake reviews, and national measures (US FDA, Health Canada, California OEHHA Proposition 65). Informational only — not medical or dietary advice. New to E-numbers? Start with the guide to how EU additives are approved and banned.

Severely restricted16 additives

Restricted use59 additives

Regulatory attention22 additives

Under monitoring61 additives

No regulatory flags481 additives

The 20 most common additives

Ranked by how many products in Forkin's catalogue contain each additive — measured from our own ingredient enrichment, not survey data.

Browse by function

What an additive does — colour, preservative, emulsifier, sweetener — grouped into reference lists.

Questions about E-numbers

What is an E-number?: An E-number is the code given to a food additive that has been assessed and approved for use in the European Union and EFTA. The “E” stands for Europe. The number identifies the substance and its broad function — for example E100–E199 are colours, E200–E299 preservatives, E300–E399 antioxidants and acidity regulators, E400–E499 thickeners, stabilisers and emulsifiers.
What does an E-number tell you?: An E-number on its own does not determine the regulatory level — it only means the additive is approved and identified. Some are simple substances like vitamin C (E300) or baking soda (E500). Forkin groups additives by what regulators have said (under monitoring, restricted use, banned) rather than making a blanket health claim.
Which E-numbers are banned?: Bans differ by country and change over time as regulators re-evaluate the evidence. Forkin tags additives that are banned or severely restricted in one or more jurisdictions; open any additive page to see its regulatory level, and the Forkin app for restrictions by country.
Are E-numbers vegan?: It depends on the additive and its source — many can be made 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 rather than a guess from the E-number alone.

Method:Forkin's regulatory-level classifications track EFSA re-evaluations and exposure assessments, IARC monograph groupings (Groups 1, 2A, 2B, 3, 4), the EU food additive register (Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008) and mandatory warning labels, ECHA harmonised CLP classifications, FAO/WHO JECFA acceptable-daily-intake reviews, and national measures (US FDA, Health Canada, California OEHHA Proposition 65). See the methodology page for the full rubric.