E number

E numbers, short for Europe numbers, are codes for substances used as food additives, including those found naturally in many foods, such as vitamin C, for use within the European Union (EU)[1]: 27  and European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Outside the European continent plus Russia, E numbers are also encountered on food labelling in other jurisdictions, including the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand,[6] Malaysia, Hong Kong,[7] and India.

In some European countries, the "E number" is used informally as a derogatory term for artificial food additives.

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.

The list shows all components that have an E-number assigned, even those no longer allowed in the EU.