food additives

This page presents a comprehensive list of food additive, colourant and preservative codes. For each additive, the e-code, chemical name and description is given. Clicking on the e-code column will take you to an (external) reference database with detailed characteristics of the food additive, colourant or preservative, including information about dietary restrictions and known side effects.

Where a food additive might be made from animal products, a warning symbol is shown; clicking on this symbol will take you to a special list of non-vegetarian food additives with description of how the food additive is produced.

The food additive, colourant and preservative codes on this page are those promolgated by Food Standards Australia/New Zealand. E codes are codes sometimes found on food labels in the European Union; the code indicates an ingredient which is some type of food additive, colourant or preservative. The E indicates that it is a "European Union approved" food additive.

e-code	chemical name	description	vegetarian warning
E100	Curcumin	Orange-yellow colour
E100(ii)	Turmeric	Orange-yellow colour
E101	Riboflavin	Yellow colour, vitamin B2
E101(ii)	Riboflavin- 5'- Phosphate	Yellow colour, vitamin B2
E102	Tartrazine	Yellow colour, azo dye
E104	Quinoline Yellow	Green-yellow colour, synthetic
E106	Riboflavin-5-Sodium Phosphate	Yellow colour, vitamin B2
E107	Yellow 2G	Yellow colour, azo dye
E110	Sunset Yellow FCF	Yellow colour, azo dye
E120	Carmine, Cochineal	Red colour, natural
E122	Azorubine	Red colour, azo dye
E123	Amaranth	Red colour, azo dye
E124	Ponceau 4R	Red colour, azo dye
E127	Erythrosine	Red colour, synthetic
E128	Red 2G	Red colour, synthetic
E129	Allura Red AC	Red colour, azo dye
E131	Patent Blue V	Blue colour, synthetic
E132	Indigotine	Blue colour, synthetic
E133	Brilliant Blue FCF	Blue colour, synthetic
E140	Chlorophylls	Green colour, natural
E141	Copper complexes of chlorophyll	Green colour, synthetic
E142	Green S	Green colour, synthetic
E150a-d	Caramel	Brown colour
E151	Brilliant black BN	Black colour, azo dye
E153	Carbon	Natural black colour
E154	Brown FK	Brown colour, azo dye
E155	Brown HT	Brown colour, azo dye
E160a	Alfa-, Beta- and Gamma- Carotene	Natural orange-yellow colour
E160b	Annatto, Bixin, Norbixin	Natural yellow colour
E160c	Bell pepper (Paprika) extract	Natural orange colour
E160d	Lycopene	Natural red colour
E160e	Beta-apo-8'-carotenal	Natural orange-yellow colour
E160f	Ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenic acid	Natural orange-yellow colour
E161a	Flavoxanthin	Natural, yellow colour
E161b	Lutein	Natural, yellow colour
E161c	Cryptoxanthin	Natural, yellow colour
E161d	Rubixanthin	Natural, yellow colour
E161e	Violaxanthin	Natural, yellow colour
E161f	Rhodoxanthin	Natural, yellow colour
E161g	Canthaxanthin	Natural, orange colour
E161h	Citranaxanthin	Natural, yellow colour
E162	Beetroot extract	Natural red colour
E163	Anthocyanins	Natural red-purple colours
E170	Calcium carbonate	White colour
E171	Titanium dioxide	White colour
E172	Iron oxides	Natural red-brown colour
E173	Aluminium	Metal (colour)
E174	Silver	Metal (colour)
E175	Gold	Metal (colour)
E180	Lithol Rubine BK	Red colour, azo dye
181	Tannins	Yellow-white colour and flavour
E200	Sorbic acid	Natural preservative
E201	Sodium sorbate / Sorbic acid sodium salt	Synthetic preservative
E202	Potassium sorbate	Synthetic preservative
E203	Calcium sorbate	Synthetic preservative
E210	Benzoic acid	Natural preservative
E211	Sodium benzoate / Benzoic acid sodium salt	Synthetic preservative
E212	Potassium benzoate / Benzoic acid potassium salt	Synthetic preservative
E213	Calcium benzoate / Benzoic acid calcium salt	Synthetic preservative
E214	Ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate	Synthetic preservative
E215	Ethyl 4-hydroxybenzoate sodium salt	Synthetic preservative
E216	Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate	Synthetic preservative
E217	Sodium salt of E216	Synthetic preservative
E218	Methyl 4-hydroxybenzoate	Synthetic preservative from benzoic acid
E219	Sodium salt of E218	Synthetic preservative from benzoic acid
E220	Sulphur dioxide	Natural preservative
E221	Sodium sulphite	Synthetic preservative
E222	Sodium hydrogen sulphite	Synthetic preservative; bleach
E223	Sodium metabisulphite	Synthetic preservative; anti oxidant
E224	Potassium metabisulphite	Synthetic preservative
225	Potassium sulphite	Synthetic preservative
E226	Calcium sulphite	Synthetic preservative
E227	Calcium hydrogen sulphite	Synthetic preservative
E228	Potassium hydrogen sulphite	Synthetic preservative
E230	Biphenyl	Synthetic preservative
E231	2-hydroxybiphenyl	Synthetic preservative
E232	Sodium biphenyl-2-yl oxide	Synthetic preservative
E233	2-(Thiazol-4-yl)benzimidazole	Synthetic preservative
E234	Nisin	Natural antibiotic
E235	Pimaracin	Natural antibiotic
236	Formic acid	Natural acid, preservative
237	Sodium formate	Natural salt, preservative
238	Calcium formate	Natural salt, preservative
E239	Hexamine	Synthetic preservative
240	Formaldehyde	Preservative
E242	Dimethylcarbonate	Synthetic preservative
E249	Potassium nitrite	Natural salt, preservative
E250	Sodium nitrite	Natural salt, preservative
E251	Sodium nitraite	Natural salt, preservative
E252	Potassium nitrate	Natural salt, preservative
E260	Acetic acid	Natural acid, preservative
E261	Potassium acetate	Preservative, natural salt
E262	Sodium acetate	Preservative, natural salt
E263	Calcium acetate	Preservative, natural salt
E270	Lactic acid	Natural acid
E280	Propionic acid	Natural acid
E281	Sodium propionate	Natural salt
E282	Calcium propionate	Natural salt
E283	Potassium propionate	Natural salt
E284	Boric acid	Natural acid
E285	Sodium tetraborate	Natural acid
E290	Carbon dioxide	Natural gas
E296	Malic acid	Acid
E297	Fumaric acid	Natural acid
E300	L- Ascorbic acid	Natural anti-oxidant, vitamin C
E301	Sodium L-ascorbate	Natural anti-oxidant, vitamin C
E302	Calcium L-ascorbate	Natural anti-oxidant, vitamin C
E304	6-0-palmitoyl-L-ascorbic acid	Synthetic anti-oxidant
E306	Extracts of tocopherols	Natural anti-oxidant, vitamin E
E307	alfa- Tocopherol	Synthetic anti-oxidant, vitamin E
E308	gamma-Tocopherol	Synthetic anti-oxidant, vitamin E
E309	delta- Tocopherol	Synthetic anti-oxidant, vitamin E
E310	Propyl gallate	Synthetic anti-oxidant
E311	Octyl gallate	Synthetic anti-oxidant
E312	Dodecyl gallate	Synthetic anti-oxidant
313	Thiodipropionic acid	Synthetic anti-oxidant
314	Guaiac Gum	Natural anti-oxidant
E315	Erythorbic acid	Synthetic anti-oxidant
E316	Sodium erythorbate	Synthetic anti-oxidant
319	Butylhydroxinon	Synthetic anti-oxidant
E320	Butylated hydroxyanisole	Synthetic anti-oxidant
E321	Butylated hydroxytoluene	Synthetic anti-oxidant
E322	Lecithin	Natural emulsifier
E325	Sodium lactate	Sodium salt of lactic acid
E326	Potassium lactate	Potassium salt of lactic acid
E327	Calcium lactate	Calcium salt of lactic acid
E330	Citric acid	Acidity regulators
E331	Sodium citrates	Acidity regulators
E332	Potassium citrates	Acidity regulators
E333	Mono, di, and Tri- Calcium citrate	Acidity regulators
E334	L-(+)- tartaric acid	Natural acid
E335	mono/di Sodium L-(+)- tartrate	Salt of tartaric acid
E336	monoPotassium L-(+)- tartrate	Salt of tartaric acid
E337	Potassium sodium L-(+)- tartrate	Salt of tartaric acid
E338	Phosphoric acid	Buffers
E339	Sodium orthophosphates	Buffers
E340	Potassium orthophosphates	Buffers
E341	Calcium orthophosphates	Buffers
343	Magnesium orthophosphates	Buffers
E350	Sodium malate	Sodium salt of malic acid
E351	Potassium malate	Potassium salt of malic acid
E352	Calcium malate	Calcium salt of malic acid
E353	meta tartaric acid	Natural acid
E354	Calcium tartarate	Natural preservative
E355	Adipic acid	Natural acid
E356	Sodium adipate	Acidity regulator
E357	Potassium adipate	Acidity regulator
E363	Succinic acid	Natural acid
365	Sodium fumarate	Acidity regulator
370	1,4-Heptonolactone	Synthetic acid
375	Nicotinic acid	B vitamin, colour protector
E380	triAmmonium citrate	Synthetic salt of citric acid
381	Ammonium ferric citrate	Synthetic salt of citric acid
E385	Calcium disodium ethylenediamine	Sequestrant, chelating substance
386	EDTA: Disodium ethylenediamine tetra-acetate	Synthetic stabiliser
387	Oxystearin	Stabiliser
388	Thiodipropionic acid	Synthetic anti-oxidant
E400	Alginic acid	Natural thickening agent
E401	Sodium alginate	Natural thickening agent
E402	Potassium alginate	Natural thickening agent
E403	Ammonium alginate	Natural thickening agent
E404	Calcium alginate	Natural thickening agent
E405	Propane-1, 2-diol alginate	Derived of alginic acid
E406	Agar	Natural thickening agent
E407	Carrageenan	Natural thickening agent
408	Furcelleran	Natural thickening agent
E410	Locust bean gum	Natural thickening agent
E411	Oat Gum	Natural thickening agent
E412	Guar Gum	Natural thickening agent
E413	Tragacanth	Natural thickening agent
E414	Gum Arabic	Natural thickening agent
E415	Xanthan gum	Natural thickening agent
E416	Karaya gum	Natural thickening agent
E418	Gellan gum	Natural thickening agent
E420	Sorbitol	Natural sugar alcohol
E421	Mannitol	Natural sugar alcohol
E422	Glycerol	Natural alcohol
430	Polyoxyethylene(8) stearate
E431	Polyoxyethylene (40) stearate	Synthetic emulsifier
E432	Polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan monolaurate	Synthetic emulsifier
E433	Polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan mono-oleate	Synthetic emulsifier
E434	Polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan monopalmitate	Synthetic emulsifier
E435	Polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan monostearate	Synthetic emulsifier
E436	Polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan tristearate	Synthetic emulsifier
E440	Pectin	Natural thickening agent
441	Gelatin (no longer valid)	Natural thickening agent
E442	Ammonium phosphatides	Synthetic emulsifier
E450	Di- and polyphosphates	Salt of phosphoric acid
E451	Triphosphates	Salt of phosphoric acid
E452	Polyphosphates	Salt of phosphoric acid
E460	Cellulose	Natural fibre, thickening agent
E461	Methyl cellulose	Semi-synthetic thickening agent
462	Ethyl cellulose	Semi-synthetic thickening agent
E463	Hydroxypropyl cellulose	Semi-synthetic thickening agent
E464	Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose	Semi-synthetic thickening agent
E465	Methylethyl cellulose	Semi-synthetic thickening agent
E466	Carboxymethyl cellulose	Semi-synthetic thickening agent
E470	Fatty acid salts	Semi-synthetic emulsifiers
E471	Mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids	Semi-synthetic emulsifiers
E472	Esters of mono- and diglycerides	Semi-synthetic emulsifiers
E473	Sugar esters of fatty acids	Semi-synthetic emulsifiers
E474	Sugarglycerides	Semi-synthetic emulsifiers
E475	Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids	Semi-synthetic emulsifiers
E476	Polyglycerol polyricinoleate	Semi-synthetic emulsifiers
E477	Propyleneglycol esters of fatty acids	Semi-synthetic emulsifiers
E478	Mixture of glycerol- and propyleneglycol esters of lactic acid and fatty acids	Semi-synthetic emulsifiers
E479	Esterified soy oil	Semi-synthetic emulsifiers
480	Dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate	Synthetic emulsifier
E481	Sodium stearoyl lactate	Semi-synthetic emulsifier
E482	Calcium stearoyl lactate	Semi-synthetic emulsifier
E483	Stearyl tartrate	Semi-synthetic emulsifier
484	Stearyl citrate	Semi-synthetic emulsifier
E485	Renamed as 441
490	Propylene glycol	solvent
E491	Sorbitane mono stearate	Semi-synthetic emulsifier
E492	Sorbitane tri stearate	Semi-synthetic emulsifier
E493	Sorbitane mono laurate	Semi-synthetic emulsifier
E494	Sorbitane mono oleate	Semi-synthetic emulsifier
E495	Sorbitane mono palmitate	Semi-synthetic emulsifier
E500	Sodium carbonate	Base
E501	Potassium carbonate	Base
E503	Ammonium carbonate	Base
E504	Magnesium carbonate	Alkali, anti-caking agent
505	Ferro carbonate	Acidity regulator
E507	Hydrochloric acid	acid
E508	Potassium chloride	Salt substitude
E509	Calcium chloride	Sequestrant, firming agent
510	Ammonium chloride	Yeast food, flavour
E511	Magnesium chloride	Acidity regulator
E512	Stannous chloride	Anti-oxidant
E513	Sulphuric acid	Acid
E514	Sodium sulphate	Acid, diluent
E515	Potassium sulphate	Salt substitude
E516	Calcium sulphate	Firming agent
E517	Ammonium sulphate	Stabiliser
518	Magnesium sulphate	Dietary supplement
E520	Aluminium sulphate	Clarification agent
E521	Aluminium sodium sulphate	Acidity regulator
E523	Aluminium ammonium sulphate	Stabiliser
E524	Sodium hydroxide	Base, colour solvent
E525	Potassium hydroxide	Base
E526	Calcium hydroxide	Firming agent
E527	Ammonium hydroxide	Base
E528	Magnesium hydroxide	Base
E529	Calcium oxide	Alkali
E530	Magnesium oxide	Anti caking agent, alkali
E535	Sodium ferrocyanide	Anti caking agent
E536	Potassium ferrocyanide	Anti caking agent
537	Ferrohexacyanomanganate	Anti-caking agent
E538	Calcium ferrocyanide	Anti-caking agen
539	Sodium thiosulphate	Anti-oxidant
540	Dicalcium pyrophosphate	Raising agent
E541	Sodium aluminium phosphate	Raising agent
542	Edible bone phosphate	Anti caking agent
543	Sodium calcium polyphosphate	Emulsifier
544	Calcium polyphosphates	Emulsifier
545	Ammonium polyphosphates	Emulsifier
546	Magnesium pyrophosphate	Emulsifier
550	Sodium silicates	Anti-caking agent
E551	Silicium dioxide	Anti caking agent
E552	Calcium silicate	Anti caking agent
E553	Magnesium silicate	Anti caking agent
E554	Aluminium sodium silicate	Anti caking agent
E555	Aluminium potassium silicate	Anti caking agent
E556	Aluminium calcium silicate	Anti caking agent
557	Zinc silicate	Anti caking agent
E558	Bentonite	Anti caking agent
E559	Kaolin	Anti caking agent
E570	Stearic acid	Anti caking agent
571	Ammonium stearate	Anti caking agent
572	Magnesium stearate	Anti caking agent
573	Aluminium stearate	Anti caking agent
E574	Gluconic acid	Sequestrant
E575	D-glucono-1, 5-lactone	Sequestrant
E576	Sodium gluconate	Sequestrant
E577	Potassium gluconate	Sequestrant
E578	Calcium gluconate	Firming agent, sequestrant
E579	Ferro gluconate	Colour and nutrient
E585	Ferro lactate	Nutrient
E620	Glutamic acid	Flavour enhancer
E621	Mono sodium glutamate	Flavour enhancer
E622	Mono potassium glutamate	Flavour enhancer
E623	Calcium glutamate	Flavour enhancer
E624	Ammonium glutamate	Flavour enhancer
E625	Magnesium glutamate	Flavour enhancer
E626	Guanylic acid	Flavour enhancer
E627	Sodium guanylate	Flavour enhancer
E628	Di-potassium guanylate	Flavour enhancer
E629	Calcium guanylate	Flavour enhancer
E630	Inosinic acid	Flavour enhancer
E631	Sodium inosinate	Flavour enhancer
E632	Di-potassium inosinate	Flavour enhancer
E633	Calcium inosinate	Flavour enhancer
E634	Calcium ribonucleotides	Flavour enhancer
E635	Di-sodium ribonucleotides	Flavour enhancer
636	Maltol	Flavour enhancer
637	Ethylmaltol	Flavour enhancer
E640	Glycine and sodium glycinate	Nutrient
E710	Spiramycins	Antibiotic
E713	Tylosin	Antibiotic
E900	Dimethyl-polysiloxane	Anti-foaming agent
E901	Bees wax	Coating, glazing agent
E902	Candilla wax	Coating, glazing agent
E903	Canauba wax	Coating, glazing agent
E904	Lac, Shellac	Coating, glazing agent
905	Paraffine, Vaseline	Coating, glazing agent
906	Gum benzoic	Flavour, coating
907	Micro-crystalline wax	Coating, glazing agent
908	Rice bran wax	Coating, glazing agent
E912	Montan acid esters	Coating, glazing agent
913	Lanoline	Coating, glazing agent
E914	Oxidized polyethylene wax	Coating, glazing agent
915	Esters of Colophane	Stabiliser, flavour
E920	L-Cysteine	Bread enhancer
E921	L-Cystine	Bread enhancer
922	Potassium persulphate	Bread enhancer
923	Ammonium persulphate	Bread enhancer
924	Potassium bromates (invalid number)	Flour bleaching agent
925	Chlorine	Flour bleaching agent
926	Chlorodioxide	Bleaching agent and preservative
E927a	Azodicarbonamide	Bread enhancer
E927b	Urea	Buffer
928	Benzoylperoxide	Bread enhancer
930	Calciumperoxide	Bread enhancer
E938	Argon	Propellant
E939	Helium	Propellant
E940	Dichlorodifluormethane	Propellant, anti-freeze
E941	Nitrogen	Propellant
E942	Nitrous oxides	Propellant
E943	Butane, isobutane	Propellant
E944	Propane	Propellant
E948	Oxygen	Propellant
E949	Hydrogen	Propellant
E950	Acesulfame K	Sweetener
E951	Aspartame	Sweetener
E952	Cyclamates	Sweetener
E953	Isomalt	Sweetener
E954	Sacharine	Sweetener
E955	Sucralose	Sweetener
E957	Thaumatine	Sweetener
E959	Neohesperidin	Sweetener
E962	Salt of aspartame-acesulfame	Sweetener
E965	Maltitol	Sweetener
E966	Lactitol	Sweetener
E967	Xylitol	Sweetener
E999	Quillaia extract	Foaming agent
1000	Cholic acid	Emulsifier
E1105	Lysozyme	Preservative
E1200	Polydextrose	Thickening agent
E1201	Polyvinylpyrrolidon	Thickening agent, stabiliser
E1202	insoluble polyvinylpyrrolidon	Clarifying agent
1400	Dextrins	Thickening agent
1401	Acid treated starch	Thickening agent
1402	Alkaline treated starch	Thickening agent
1403	Bleached starch	Thickening agent
E1404	Oxidised starch	Thickening agent
E1410	mono-starch phosphate	Thickening agent
1411	Di-starch glycerol	Thickening agent
E1412	Di-starch phosphates	Thickening agent
E1413	Phosphatylated di-starch phosphate	Thickening agent
E1414	Acetylated di-starch phosphate	Thickening agent
E1420	Starch acetate	Thickening agent
1421	Starch acetate	Thickening agent
E1422	Acetylated di-starch adipate	Thickening agent
1423	Acetylated di-starch glycerol	Thickening agent
E1440	Hydroxypropylstarch	Thickening agent
1441	Hydroxypropyl-di-starchglycerol	Thickening agent
E1442	Hydroxypropyl-di-starchphosphate	Thickening agent
E1450	Starch sodium octenyl succinate	Thickening agent
1501	Benzylated hydrocarbons	Flavours
1502	Butane-1,3-diol	Flavour solvent
1503	Castor Oil	Flavour and solvent
1504	Ethyl acetate	Flavour solvent
E1505	Triethyl citrate	Flavour solvent
1516	Glycerol monoacetate	Flavour solvent
1517	Glycerol diacetate	Flavour solvent
E1518	Glycerol triacetate	Flavour solvent
1520	Propylene glycol	Solvent for anti-oxidants
1525	Hydroxy ethyl cellulose	Thickening agent