E Numbers Revealed
Explore specific E numbers with clear explanations of their origins, uses, and any concerns. Find honest information about what's actually in your food, which additives come from natural sources, and how to make informed choices.
Additives in Cigarettes
Cigarette makers add over 600 additives to make smoking more addictive and hard to quit.
Blue Smarties Return without E Numbers
Blue Smarties are back in tubes without the artificial colours and additives parents have worried about for decades.
Children's Sweets and E Numbers
Most children's sweets contain artificial colours and E numbers, but manufacturers are slowly responding to parents' concerns about what kids eat.
Complete List of ENumbers
Quick reference tables of E numbers organised by category so you can check what's in your food.
E100 - E199 Colours
E100-E199 are food colourings: here's what they are, where they come from, and what products contain them.
E1000 - E1999 Additional Chemicals
E1000-E1999 additives are newer chemicals added to foods for various functions like thickening, stabilising and keeping products moist.
E200 - E299 Preservatives
E200 to E299 are food preservatives that stop mould growth and extend shelf life, from natural salt and vinegar to synthetic additives.
E300 - E399 Antioxidants and Acidity Regulators
E300 to E399 additives include antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E, plus acidity regulators that preserve food quality and taste.
E400 - E499 Thickeners, Stabilisers and Emulsifiers
What thickeners, stabilisers and emulsifiers in the E400-E499 range do and why food manufacturers use them.
E500 - E599 Acidity Regulators and Anti-Caking Agents
What E500 to E599 food additives do and why manufacturers use them in processed foods.
E600 - E699 Flavour Enhancers
What flavour enhancers are, where they're used in food, and why MSG remains controversial.
E900 - E999 Miscellaneous E Numbers
A breakdown of E900 to E999 additives, from anti-foaming agents and waxes to flour improvers and glazing agents.
Food Additives That Act as Xenoestrogens
Some common food additives mimic the hormone estrogen in your body, and researchers just identified two new ones to watch out for.