What does the food additives database provide?

Each entry explains what the additive is, where it is used, and its safety profile. There are also details about possible side effects and how regulators in the EU, US, and other markets classify it. Simple grading system shows whether an additive is GREEN (Safe), ORANGE (Some Concerns), or RED (Unsafe/Banned).

Recent additives

  • E102 – Tartrazine

    E102 – Tartrazine

    Tartrazine (E102) is a synthetic lemon-yellow azo dye used widely in processed foods, beverages, medicines, and cosmetics.

  • E950 – Acesulfame K

    E950 – Acesulfame K

    Acesulfame potassium is a synthetic sweetener developed in the late 1960s by German chemists. Common Uses: Diet and “zero” soft drinks, sugar-free chewing gums, candies, and desserts, low-calorie yoghurts and baked goods (heat stable, unlike…

  • E621 – Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

    E621 – Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

    MSG is the sodium salt of the amino acid L‑glutamic acid used to boost umami and overall flavour. Common Uses: Snack foods, instant noodles, packet soups and meal bases for depth and meatiness, processed meats…

  • E951 – Aspartame

    E951 – Aspartame

    Aspartame is a low-calorie, high-intensity sweetener about 200× sweeter than sucrose. Common Uses: Diet/zero-sugar soft drinks and energy drinks, sugar-free chewing gums and candies, tabletop sweetener sachets and tablets, low-calorie yoghurts, desserts, and gelatin mixes,…

Browse by category

COLOURS

E100 – E199

Icon for colours additive category.

PRESERVATIVES

E200 – E299

Icon for preservative additives category.

ANTIBIOTICS

E700 – E713

Icon for antibiotics additive category.

ADDITIONAL ADDITIVES

E1100 – E1599

Icon for additional additives category.

Browse by safety grade

GREEN – safe

Green grain dots symbol for safe food additive (E number classification – GREEN level).

Generally recognized as safe, widely accepted without controversy.

ORANGE – some concerns

Orange grain dots symbol for food additive with some concerns (E number classification – ORANGE level).

Additives still legally allowed in the EU/US but controversial, restricted in some contexts, or under scientific debate.

RED – unsafe

Red grain dots symbol for unsafe food additive (E number classification – RED level).

Only for additives that are banned or clearly unsafe based on strong scientific consensus.

Food additives scanner mobile application

Food Additives Scanner is an Android mobile application designed to quickly scan product labels in any language and instantly provide a safety analysis based on the additives detected.

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