What are E numbers in food?

E numbers are the codes you see on ingredient lists, such as E330 or E129. They look technical, but the idea is simple. Here is what they mean, what they do not mean, and how to look one up.

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What an E number is

An E number is a code for a food additive that has been assessed and approved for use in the European Union (the "E" is usually read as "Europe"). Additives are ingredients added for a technical reason: to color, preserve, sweeten, thicken or stabilize a food.

The numbers come from the International Numbering System (INS) used by Codex Alimentarius, the international food standards body. An EU-approved additive gets that number with an E in front. Rules on which foods may contain it, and how much, are set in EU law, and the list is updated from time to time.

How the numbers are grouped

The ranges are a rough guide to what an additive does:

Range	Roughly what it covers
E100 to E199	Colors
E200 to E299	Preservatives
E300 to E399	Antioxidants and acidity regulators
E400 to E499	Thickeners, stabilizers and emulsifiers
E500 to E599	Acidity regulators and anti-caking agents
E600 to E699	Flavor enhancers
E900 to E999	Glazing agents, sweeteners and others
E1000 and up	Other additives

The ranges are approximate, and some additives sit outside the pattern.

Some everyday examples

E300 is ascorbic acid, which is vitamin C, used to stop food browning.
E330 is citric acid, which gives a sour taste and regulates acidity.
E322 is lecithin, an emulsifier from soy or sunflower.
E415 is xanthan gum, a thickener.
E440 is pectin, the setting agent in jam.
E160c is paprika extract, a natural color.
E621 is monosodium glutamate (MSG), a flavor enhancer.
E951 is aspartame, a sweetener.

Many people are surprised by the first few. An E number does not mean something is synthetic. Plenty are plant extracts, minerals or vitamins, and plenty are made in a factory.

How they appear on labels

In the EU, a label gives the additive's job and then its name or its number, for example "colour (E150d)" or "preservative (potassium sorbate)". Both forms mean the same additive.

The US does not use E numbers on labels. It lists additives by name instead, such as "FD&C Yellow No. 5" for what the EU calls tartrazine (E102), or "Red 40" for allura red AC (E129). Some countries use the INS number without the E.

Rules differ by region and change over time

An additive can be permitted in one place and restricted in another. In the EU, for example, six colors including E102, E110 and E129 must carry a warning label that they may affect activity and attention in children. Titanium dioxide (E171) is no longer authorized as a food additive in the EU, since 2022. Other countries make different decisions.

These rules do change, and a short guide cannot cover every condition. For anything that matters, check the official sources: the EU food additives database and the US FDA food additive status list.

Fineprint shows facts and checks them against rules you choose. It is not medical, allergy or dietary advice. Always read the pack.

Doing it with Fineprint

Fineprint has a built-in guide to over 370 additives. It explains each one in plain words and shows how it is regulated in the EU and the US.

Open the Scan tab and point the camera at a barcode. You can also choose a Barcode photo, tap Type barcode, or use the Search tab.
On the product screen, find the Additives section. It lists every additive found, with its code and name.
Tap an additive to open its details: what type it is, where it comes from (for example synthetic, from natural sources or nature-identical), its status in the European Union and the United States, regulatory notes, and other names it is listed under.
No barcode match? Tap Read a label and take a photo of the ingredient list. Fineprint reads it on your iPhone and checks it against the same guide.
To be told about additives you would rather avoid, switch on rules such as Artificial colours, Artificial sweeteners or Preservatives in My rules.

The EU and US notes are short summaries for general information, not legal advice. Product data comes from Open Food Facts. For a closer look at how scans and rules work, see the help page.

Fineprint scans a barcode and explains the additives, Nutri-Score and NOVA group in plain words, and checks each product against rules you choose. Free scanning with no account or ads; Pro adds all 39 rules, family profiles and product comparison.