Food additives
E Numbers
158 additives — what they are, how they're made, and reactions some people report.
What is an E number? An "E number" is a code for a food additive approved for use in Europe. Colours (E100s), preservatives (E200s), antioxidants and acidity regulators (E300s), thickeners and emulsifiers (E400s), and sweeteners and others (E900s+) each have a range. Additives may be natural (extracted from plants, minerals or fermentation) or synthesised in a factory. Most are harmless for most people, but some can trigger intolerance or allergy-type reactions in sensitive individuals — those are noted on each page.
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