What Are E-Numbers? A Plain English Guide for UK Shoppers

What exactly is an E-number?

An E-number is a code assigned to a food additive after it has been safety-assessed and approved for use in the European Union. The "E" stands for Europe. When you see "E300" on an ingredients list, it means the additive has been evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and given a standardised reference number.

The UK retained the E-number system after Brexit. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) continues to regulate food additives in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, while Food Standards Scotland covers Scotland. Both agencies use EFSA safety assessments as part of their own review processes.

E-numbers exist because food manufacturers need additives to do specific jobs: prevent food from spoiling, maintain texture, add colour, or enhance flavour. Rather than writing out full chemical names on every label, the E-number system provides a shorthand that works across multiple languages and countries.

The seven categories of E-numbers

E-numbers are organised into groups based on their function. Each group covers a specific range of numbers. Here is how the system is structured:

Numbers in the E700–E899 range are reserved but largely unused in the current system. You will rarely encounter them on UK food labels.

Common E-numbers you will find in UK supermarkets

Out of the roughly 350 approved E-numbers, only a few dozen appear regularly on products from Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, Aldi, and Lidl. Here are the ones you are most likely to encounter:

For a more comprehensive reference, see our full E-number database, which covers all approved additives with plain English explanations.

Are all E-numbers artificial?

This is one of the most common misconceptions. The short answer is no — many E-numbers are entirely natural substances.

Consider these examples:

• E300 (ascorbic acid) — This is vitamin C. It is used as an antioxidant in bread, juices, and cured meats to prevent oxidation.
• E306 (tocopherols) — These are forms of vitamin E, extracted from vegetable oils.
• E330 (citric acid) — Found naturally in lemons, limes, and oranges. Used to add tartness and as a preservative.
• E160a (beta-carotene) — The orange pigment in carrots, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin. Used as a natural food colouring.
• E440 (pectin) — A naturally occurring substance in fruit, used to set jams and jellies.
• E901 (beeswax) — Used as a glazing agent on confectionery and fresh fruit.
• E500 (sodium bicarbonate) — Baking soda. A kitchen staple for centuries.

The E-number system does not distinguish between natural and synthetic. It is a regulatory framework for safety assessment, not a classification of origin. The presence of an E-number on a label tells you nothing about whether the additive was extracted from a plant or manufactured in a laboratory.

How E-numbers are approved

Before an additive receives an E-number, it goes through a rigorous assessment process:

1. EFSA scientific evaluation — The European Food Safety Authority reviews all available toxicological data, including animal studies and, where available, human studies.
2. Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) set — EFSA establishes the maximum amount a person can consume daily over a lifetime without appreciable health risk. A large safety margin is built in.
3. Maximum permitted levels — EU regulations specify the maximum amount of each additive allowed in different food categories.
4. Ongoing re-evaluation — EFSA systematically re-evaluates all previously approved additives. This programme, which began in 2009, has led to some additives being restricted or removed.

In the UK, the FSA monitors this process and may adopt, adapt, or diverge from EU decisions. Post-Brexit, the UK has its own regulatory pathway, though in practice it remains closely aligned with EFSA standards.

E-numbers and children

In 2007, a study funded by the FSA (known as the "Southampton study") found that certain mixtures of food colourings, combined with the preservative sodium benzoate (E211), were linked to increased hyperactivity in some children.

As a result, the following six colourings must carry a warning label in the UK and EU when used in food: "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children":

• E102 — Tartrazine (yellow)
• E104 — Quinoline yellow
• E110 — Sunset yellow
• E122 — Carmoisine (red)
• E124 — Ponceau 4R (red)
• E129 — Allura red

Many UK supermarkets and food manufacturers voluntarily removed these colourings from their own-brand products following the study. The FSA notes that the effect was observed in specific combinations and at specific doses, and that it may not affect all children equally. If you have concerns about your child's diet, speak to your GP.

How to check E-numbers in your food

There are several practical ways to identify and understand the E-numbers in your food:

1. Read the ingredients list

UK food labelling law (retained from EU Regulation 1169/2011) requires manufacturers to declare all additives in the ingredients list. They must be listed either by their E-number, their full name, or both. Ingredients are listed in descending order by weight, so additives near the end of the list are present in smaller quantities.

2. Use a barcode scanning app

A food additive scanning app like NutraSafe lets you scan a product's barcode and instantly see every additive it contains, explained in plain English. This is faster than looking up each number individually and works well when you are shopping in-store. Learn more about how to use a food scanner app.

3. Check the FSA website

The Food Standards Agency maintains a list of approved additives. EFSA also publishes detailed scientific opinions on individual additives, which are available on its website.

4. Look for "free-from" ranges

If you prefer to minimise certain additives, most UK supermarkets have own-brand ranges with shorter ingredient lists. Look for products with fewer ingredients overall, as these tend to contain fewer additives.

E-numbers to be aware of

All approved E-numbers have been assessed as safe at their permitted levels. However, some additives are the subject of ongoing research or may affect certain individuals differently. Here are a few that attract more discussion than others:

• E250 (sodium nitrite) — Used in cured meats (bacon, ham, sausages) to prevent botulism and maintain colour. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen, and nitrites are part of that picture. The FSA advises that processed meat can be part of a balanced diet but recommends moderation.
• E621 (monosodium glutamate/MSG) — EFSA set an ADI of 30 mg per kg of body weight per day in 2017. Research has not established a consistent link between MSG at normal dietary levels and the symptoms sometimes attributed to it. The FSA considers it safe within the permitted limits.
• E951 (aspartame) — In 2023, the IARC classified aspartame as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" (Group 2B), while the WHO's Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) reaffirmed the existing ADI of 40 mg per kg of body weight per day. The FSA states it continues to monitor the evidence.
• E171 (titanium dioxide) — Banned as a food additive in the EU since 2022 following an EFSA review that could not rule out genotoxicity. The UK's FSA conducted its own review and concluded in 2024 that there was insufficient evidence to support a ban. It remains permitted in the UK.

For a broader discussion of which additives attract the most attention, see our guide on food additives in the UK.

Frequently asked questions

What does the E in E-numbers stand for?

The E stands for "Europe". It indicates that the additive has been evaluated and approved for use in the European Union. The UK retained this system after Brexit, and the Food Standards Agency continues to use it as part of UK food law.

Are all E-numbers artificial?

No. Many E-numbers are naturally occurring substances. E300 is ascorbic acid (vitamin C), E330 is citric acid (found in citrus fruits), E160a is beta-carotene (the pigment in carrots), E440 is pectin (from fruit), and E901 is beeswax. The E-number simply means the additive has been assessed — it says nothing about whether it is natural or synthetic.

How many E-numbers are approved in the UK?

Approximately 350 E-numbers are currently approved for use in food in the UK. The exact number changes as new additives are approved and existing ones are re-evaluated by EFSA and the FSA. Not all approved E-numbers are commonly used — many are specialised additives found only in specific product categories.

Do I need to avoid E-numbers?

Approved E-numbers have been assessed for safety by the FSA and EFSA. For most people, approved additives at the levels found in food are not a concern. However, some individuals may have sensitivities to specific additives. If you have specific health concerns about any additive, speak to your GP or a registered dietitian.

How can I check what E-numbers are in my food?

Check the ingredients list on the product packaging — manufacturers must list all additives either by their E-number or full name. You can also use a barcode scanning app like NutraSafe, which identifies every additive and explains what each one does in plain English. The FSA also maintains a searchable database on its website.

Related articles

• Are E-Numbers Bad for You? What the Science Says
• E-Number Database: Every Additive Explained
• Food Additive Scanner UK
• How to Use a Food Scanner App
• What Food Additives to Be Aware Of in the UK

Last reviewed and updated: 7 February 2026