E-numbers designate certain food additives that are authorised within the European Union. The E numbers are abbreviations for colourings and flavourings, preservatives, thickeners, emulsifiers, sweeteners and acidifiers.

All the ingredients of the product must be listed on the food packaging, in order of quantity.

 

 

Colourants

 

E 101 Vitamin B2 (riboflavin). A natural plant pigment with a yellowish colour. Considered harmless.

 

E 102 Tartrazine. A synthetic, yellow colouring agent. Can trigger allergies, especially in the case of an existing allergy to acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and asthma. Possible side effects are skin rashes, breathing problems and visual disturbances.

 

E 160a. Carotenes. Mostly synthetic, orange-yellow colourings, also occur in nature. Carotenes are converted into vitamin A by the body. Considered harmless.

 

Acidifier

 

E 300 Vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Is produced artificially. Long-term overdose can lead to kidney and bladder stone formation due to the degradation product oxalic acid.

 

E 322. lecithin. A vegetable emulsifier, usually produced from soya oil or sunflower oil. Is considered harmless.

 

E 330 Citric acid. Artificial agent on a vegetable basis. Considered harmless.

 

Preservative

 

E 200 Sorbic acid. Artificially produced, slightly acidic preservative. Considered harmless.

 

E 210. benzoic acid. Artificially produced, also occurs naturally. It can trigger allergies in asthma and hay fever sufferers.

 

E 220. sulphur dioxide. Synthetic. Reduces vitamin B1 content in food. May cause headaches and nausea. Not more than 50mg daily.

 

E 296. malic acid. Synthetically produced, is considered harmless.

 

Emulsifiers

 

E 440 Pectins. Natural or artificial. Promotes digestion and is considered harmless.

 

E 450. phosphate, diphosphate. Artificial stabilisers. If the dosage is too high, the absorption of magnesium, calcium and iron is inhibited. Can lead to calcium deposits and bone loss.

 

Thickening agent

 

E 406 Agar Agar. Natural gelling agent from red algae. Too high a dosage inhibits the absorption of minerals.

 

E 410 Locust bean gum. Natural gelling agent from the fruit of the carob tree. Considered harmless.

 

E 414. gum arabic. Vegetable gelling agent and stabiliser. Considered harmless.

 

Flavourings

 

E 620. glutamic acid. Artificially produced. May cause palpitations, headaches and numbness.

 

E 901. beeswax. Natural release agent. Considered harmless.

 

Sweeteners

 

E 954. saccharin. Artificial, slightly bitter sweetener. May cause cancer, maximum 5mg daily.

 

Miscellaneous

 

E 500 Sodium carbonates. Artificial raising agent, also known as soda or baking soda. Can lead to increased stomach acidity, but is considered harmless.