E-Additives Safety Guide

Is it safe? Side effects & regulation

Check food additives and E-numbers

Each entry explains what an additive is, where it is used, and how it is safety graded. You can also review possible side effects and how regulators in the EU, US, and other markets classify it. The grading system shows whether an additive is GREEN (Safe), ORANGE (Some Concerns), or RED (Unsafe/Banned)

Recent additives

  • E322 – Lecithins

    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 (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

    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

    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

    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…

  • E500 – Sodium Carbonates (i, ii, iii)

    E500 – Sodium Carbonates (i, ii, iii)

    Full scientific review of sodium carbonates (E500(i), E500(ii), E500(iii)), their uses, safety profile and regulatory status.

  • E262(i) – Sodium Acetate

    E262(i) – Sodium Acetate

    Sodium acetate (E262(i)) is a heat-stable acidity regulator and preservative used in snacks, sauces and meat products. It is approved in the EU and US and considered safe at permitted use levels.

Browse by category

Icon for colours additive category.

Colours

Colours are additives used to restore, enhance, or standardise the appearance of food and drinks.

Icon for preservative additives category.

Preservatives

Preservatives help slow spoilage by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms and extending shelf life.

Icon for antioxidants and acidity regulators icon.

Antioxidants and acidity regulators

These additives help prevent oxidation, maintain freshness, and control the acidity or alkalinity of food.

Icon for thickeners stabilisers and emulsifiers additive category.

Thickeners, stabilisers and emulsifiers

These additives improve texture, keep ingredients evenly mixed, and help foods maintain a consistent structure.

Icon for ph regulators and anti caking agents.

pH regulators and anti caking agents

These additives adjust acidity and help powders or granules stay free-flowing instead of clumping together.

Icon for flavour enhancers additive category.

Flavour enhancers

Flavour enhancers are used to intensify or round out existing taste without necessarily adding a distinct flavour of their own.

Icon for antibiotics additive category.

Antibiotics

This category includes substances historically used in limited food-related contexts to inhibit bacterial growth.

Icon for glazing agents gases and sweereners additive category.

Glazing agents, gases and sweeteners

These additives provide shine, assist with packaging or processing, and add sweetness with or without sugar.

Icon for additional additives category.

Additional additives

Additional additives include specialised substances that do not fit neatly into the main standard additive groups.

Browse by safety grade

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

GREEN

Generally recognized as safe, widely accepted without controversy.

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

ORANGE

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

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

RED

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

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