E number

The numbering scheme follows that of the International Numbering System (INS) as determined by the Codex Alimentarius committee, though only a subset of the INS additives are approved for use in the European Union as food additives. Outside the European continent plus Russia, E numbers are also encountered on food labelling in other jurisdictions, including the Gulf Cooperation Council, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and India. ==Colloquial use==

In some European countries, the "E number" is used informally as a derogatory term for artificial food additives. For example, in the UK, food companies are required to include the "E number(s)" in the ingredients that are added as part of the manufacturing process. Many components of naturally occurring healthy foods and vitamins have assigned E numbers (and the number is a synonym for the chemical component), e.g. vitamin C (E300) and lycopene (E160d), found in carrots. At the same time, "E number" is sometimes misunderstood to imply approval for safe consumption. This is not necessarily the case, e.g. Avoparcin (E715) is an antibiotic once used in animal feed, but is no longer permitted in the EU, and has never been permitted for human consumption. Sodium nitrite (E250) is toxic. Sulfuric acid (E513) is caustic. ==Classification by numeric range==

Not all examples of a class fall into the given numeric range; moreover, certain chemicals (particularly in the E400–499 range) have a variety of purposes. ==Full list==

The list shows all components that have an E-number assigned, even those no longer allowed in the EU. E100–E199 (colours) === E200–E299 (preservatives) === ===E300–E399 (antioxidants, acidity regulators) === ===E400–E499 (thickeners, stabilisers, emulsifiers) === ===E500–E599 (acidity regulators, anti-caking agents) === ===E600–E699 (flavour enhancers) === E700–E799 (antibiotics) === E900–E999 (glazing agents, gases and sweeteners) === E1000–E1599 (additional additives) == See also ==