Carbon dioxide
Function: Preservative
E290 is the European food-additive number for Carbon dioxide, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. CARBON DIOXIDE chemical formula CO2- is a colorless gas with a density about 60% higher than that of dry air.
What is E290 used for?
Carbon dioxide (E290) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. It is added during food production for a technological purpose rather than for nutrition. See all preservatives (E-numbers).
Is E290 safe or restricted?
E290 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as “No regulatory flags” and does not make health claims. See the methodology for how regulatory levels are assigned, or the guide to how EU additives are approved, re-evaluated and banned.
Is E290 vegan or vegetarian?
Carbon dioxide (E290) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
The production source can vary between manufacturers — the Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product. Always read the label for allergens.
Which foods contain E290?
E290 appears in 3,003 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in sparkling water, cola and sparkling flavored water.
- Sparkling Water324
- Cola203
- Sparkling Flavored Water163
- Energy Drink163
- Still Water129
- Apple Juice126
- Soda Water / Club Soda108
- Flavored Water106
Often appears alongside
Additives most frequently found in the same ingredient lists as E290 across the catalogue.
Counts reflect Forkin's independently enriched product catalogue and update as new products are added — they are not a market-share statistic.
Frequently asked questions about E290
- What is E290?
- E290 is the E-number for Carbon dioxide, a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. CARBON DIOXIDE chemical formula CO2- is a colorless gas with a density about 60% higher than that of dry air.
- What is E290 used for?
- Carbon dioxide (E290) is a preservative — used to extend shelf life by slowing spoilage from microbes. Manufacturers add it during processing rather than for nutrition. The Forkin app shows which products in your scan history actually contain it.
- Which foods contain E290?
- E290 appears in 3,003 of the 4.7 million products in Forkin's catalogue — most often in sparkling water, cola and sparkling flavored water. Scan any barcode with the Forkin app to see instantly whether a specific product contains it.
- Is E290 vegan or vegetarian?
- Carbon dioxide (E290) is typically produced from plant, mineral, or synthetic sources, so it is generally suitable for vegans and vegetarians. The Forkin app shows the verified vegan and vegetarian status per product, since the source can vary between manufacturers.
- Is E290 safe, and is it banned anywhere?
- E290 is an approved food additive in the EU and currently carries no special regulatory restrictions in the EU additive register. Forkin classifies it as "No regulatory flags" and does not make health claims — see the methodology page for how regulatory levels are assigned, and the Forkin app for the full profile, including acceptable daily intake (ADI) and restrictions by country.
See the full profile in Forkin
The Forkin app surfaces the full regulatory profile of E290 — acceptable daily intake (ADI), restrictions by country, vegan/vegetarian status, alternative names, and which products in your scan history contain it. See view pricing.