Food additives database

E316 – Sodium erythorbate

E316 (sodium erythorbate) is an antioxidant used mainly in cured and processed meats to stabilise colour and slow oxidation. It remains legally permitted, but a new large cohort study reported a small association with cancer…
E101 – Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) (i, ii)

E101 (riboflavins) is a yellow food colour based on riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2. It is widely permitted and well studied, with very low toxicity at typical food-use levels.
E260 – Acetic acid

E260 (acetic acid) is the acid that gives vinegar its sharp taste and preservative power. It is widely permitted as a food additive and is generally considered safe at typical food-use levels, with irritation risks…
E627 – Disodium guanylate

E627 (disodium guanylate) is a GMP-based flavour enhancer used to boost umami, usually together with MSG or inosinate. It is permitted in the EU and US, but graded ORANGE because purine metabolism can matter for…
E451 – Triphosphates

E451 (triphosphates) are phosphate salts used to stabilise processed foods and improve texture by binding water. They are permitted in the EU and US, but high overall phosphate intake can be a concern for people…
E412 – Guar gum

E412 (guar gum) is a plant-based thickener made from guar beans. It is widely authorised in the EU and affirmed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) in the US. For most people it is considered…
E635 – Disodium 5’–ribonucleotides

E635 (Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides) is a flavour enhancer usually used with MSG to boost umami. It is permitted in the EU and US, but it can matter for people sensitive to purines (gout, hyperuricemia), so we…
E631 – Disodium inosinate

E631 (disodium inosinate) is a flavour enhancer that boosts umami taste, often used in instant noodles, snack seasonings and stock cubes. Regulators allow it and JECFA assigns a group ADI not specified for inosinate salts,…
E509 – Calcium chloride

E509 (calcium chloride) is a mineral salt used mainly as a firming and anti-caking agent. It helps keep canned vegetables crisp and improves cheese curd formation. Our grade is GREEN – SAFE, with the main…
E471 – Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids

E471 (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids) are widely used food emulsifiers derived from fats and oils. They are legally approved and generally safe for most consumers, but their metabolic equivalence to dietary fats, possible…
E162 – Beetroot Red (Betanin)

E162 (Beetroot Red), also known as betanin, is a natural red-purple food colour extracted from beetroot. It is widely used in beverages, confectionery and dairy products and is considered safe for consumers based on current…
E417 – Tara gum

E417 (Tara gum) is a natural thickener obtained from the seeds of the tara tree. It is widely used to improve texture and stability in dairy, bakery and processed foods. Current scientific evidence supports a…
E341 – Calcium Phosphates (i, ii, iii)

E341 refers to calcium phosphates (i, ii, iii) used in foods as leavening acids, mineral supplements and anti-caking agents. While approved globally, modern studies raise concerns about excessive phosphate intake and its impact on kidney…
E306 – Tocopherol-rich extract (Vitamin E)

E306 (Tocopherol-rich extract) is a natural antioxidant sourced from vegetable oils and rich in vitamin E forms. It protects fats from oxidation and is considered safe at permitted levels. EFSA evaluations and independent research both…
E296 – Malic Acid

E296 (Malic Acid) is a naturally occurring organic acid found in fruits such as apples and grapes. It is widely used as an acidity regulator and flavor enhancer with a strong safety record. Regulatory agencies…
E322 – Lecithins

E322 (Lecithins) are natural phospholipid emulsifiers from soy, sunflower or egg. They are widely used in chocolate, baked goods and infant formulas. Regulatory bodies consider lecithins safe, and independent studies support excellent tolerance, so the…
E452 – Polyphosphates (i, ii, iii, iv, v)

E452 (Polyphosphates) includes sodium, potassium, calcium, ammonium and mixed polyphosphate salts used as stabilising and emulsifying agents. EFSA’s phosphate group ADI has been exceeded in some population groups, and independent studies link high phosphate additive…
E900 – Dimethylpolysiloxane

E900 (Dimethylpolysiloxane, PDMS) is a silicone-based antifoaming agent used in frying oils, soft drinks and processed foods. EFSA’s 2020 re-evaluation set an ADI of 17 mg/kg bw/day and found no safety concern at authorised uses,…
E451(i) – Pentasodium triphosphate

E451(i) (Pentasodium triphosphate) is a fast-absorbing inorganic phosphate widely used in processed meats and bakery products. High intake has been linked to kidney strain and vascular calcification in independent studies. We assign ORANGE – SOME…
E450(i) – Disodium diphosphate

Inorganic pyrophosphate produced by heating sodium phosphate salts. Widely used to stabilise texture and moisture in processed foods but is absorbed very rapidly in the body, which can stress kidney and cardiovascular systems in sensitive…