What are E Numbers?

Glance at the ingredients list of pre-packaged and processed foods in a supermarket and the chances are you’ll spot an E number or two listed. But what exactly are these mysterious numbers and why are so many of them in the food and drink on sale today?
E numbers may appear to be a modern element of food, but that’s not necessarily the case. For centuries, people have helped preserve food by adding additional ingredients to foods. For example, onions and eggs can be pickled by adding vinegar and bacon and pork joints are cured (preserved) by adding salt, as well sometimes as molasses and spices. As well as preserving food, additives play other roles too. For example:
- They add colour and improve the look of foods or drinks.
- They add sweetness to foods and drinks.
- They help products gel together or become thicker, which helps improve the look and feel of foods.
- They act as flavour enhancers, to improve the taste of products.
- They’re used to give foods a much longer shelf-life than they’d normally have without it.
Synthesised additives can either be nature-identical or artificial. Nature-identical means that, although the additive is manmade, it has the same chemical composition as a natural substance. Where an additive is artificial, it has a different chemical structure from any naturally occurring substances.
The Birth of E Numbers
In order to keep track of this multitude of additives, the E numbering system was developed and became a legal requirement on packaging in the 1980s. The E in ‘E Number’ stands for European and it means these numbers have been tested for safety and been granted use in the European Union (EU). Some numbers that don’t have a designated E are sometimes allowed to be used in the UK, but may not necessarily have passed the tests are allowed to be used in all EU countries.Each E number is assigned its own unique number. This makes it a lot easier for manufacturers to list which additives are included in foods, as often the chemical names are long and hard to fit on labels, but it also makes it easier for consumers to identify which E numbers are included. It’s easier to remember and look up a three or four digit number than it is a great big unwieldy technical name.
The list and quantity of E numbers used in our foods today has grown extensively. The numbering system helps keep track of what’s what by grouping E Numbers into various categories. For example colouring additives are mostly given numbers 100 – 181, the antioxidants form numbers 300 – 340, flavour enhancers make up numbers 600 – 650 and glazing agents are 900 – 910. As the list grows and more additives are added, other numbers may have to be used.
Re: Complete List of ENumbers
Your list is wonderful. It would be easier for me to use if it were color-coded. Like red for the top E numbers to avoid, orange for…
Re: Does E631 Use Extracted Pig's Fat or Sardine Oil?
STOP FIGHTING! And yall know coffee and toast is the best!
Re: Does E631 Use Extracted Pig's Fat or Sardine Oil?
they are right! We are the killers!Liz your ice cream is not as good as my cookies though!
Re: Does E631 Use Extracted Pig's Fat or Sardine Oil?
hello there us aftons kill not some delicious food but they are not as delicious as my ice cream
Re: E Numbers Not Suitable for a Halal Diet
Jazakhallahhairan... It's great for all mankind... Thank You
Re: Children's Food That's Free from E Numbers
I Am looking for sweets that do not contain any E numbers and would appreciate any help. Kind regards Debra…
Re: Does E631 Use Extracted Pig's Fat or Sardine Oil?
I think any ingredients containing pig fats should be labelled with the prefix “PF” (Meaning Pig Fat)…
Re: Top E Numbers to Avoid
I was on amlodipine and statens which gave me bad cramp all over my body am of those and am taking a water pill and so far so good . For…
Re: Does E631 Use Extracted Pig's Fat or Sardine Oil?
Why is that the authorities like fssai r quite n not taking any action on such manufacturing companies?…
Re: Should We Avoid an E-number Free Diet?
I didn't see any packaged food that Doe's not have E number, so to avoid in take of Haram host stay away from…