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List of artificial additives in food

Avoidance of the E numbers listed below in red by carefully checking ingredients is best. Those in red have been proven to cause adverse health conditions especially in children.

NOTE: Government approvals, restrictions and other regulatory details are subject to change.

COLOURS

E100 Curcumin Although curcumin is a natural yellow/orange food colouring derived from the turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizome, excessive consumption can cause hives, migraines, nausea, skin rashes and an increased risk of bleeding to those taking anticoagulants and miscarriage in women who are pregnant.

Products that may contain E100

• Biscuits

• Butter

• Carbonated drinks

• Cheese

• Fish fingers

• Margarine

E101 (i) Riboflavin (ii) Riboflavin-5'-phosphate

E102 Tartrazine is a bright yellow/orange colouring that is banned in Norway and Austria. It can cause asthma, anxiety, behavioural issues, blurred vision, depression, hyperactivity, migraines, skin rashes, chromosomal damage to the foetus, thyroid cancer and can adversely affect those that are allergic to aspirin.

Products that may contain E102

• Alcoholic mixers

• Beer

• Breakfast cereals

• Butter and margarine

• Cheeses (orange coloured)

• Chicken broth (cubed or powered)

• Confectionary and sweets

• Cosmetics, body washes, conditioners, moisturisers, shampoos, shaving creams.

• Crackers and crisps

• Fizzy drinks

• Frosting

• Ice cream and ice lollies

• Jelly

• Macaroni cheese

• Milk (flavoured)

• Pancake mix

• Pasta

• Pickles

• Ready meals with cheese flavourings

• Vitamin supplements (chewable)

• Yoghurt

E103 Alkanet, Alkannin Alkanet is a yellow/orange colour that is forbidden in some parts of the western world. It can increase hyperactivity in affected children and asthmatics sometimes react badly. It can also adversely affect those that are sensitive to aspirin.

E104 Quinoline yellow Side effects include hyperactivity (ADHD) in children, eye damage, blindness, tumours and cancer. When used in cosmetics it can cause dermatitis. It is banned in Australia, USA, Japan and Norway. 

E105 Fast Yellow AB, Fast Yellow, Acid Yellow, C.I. 13015, C.I. 14270 or Food Yellow 2 Banned in Europe and the USA due to harmful toxic properties.

E107 Yellow 2G, Acid yellow 17, CI Food yellow 5. Coal tar dye. Used in soft drinks and commercially in printing inks. Banned in Australia (1992), Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and USA. It can cause asthma, rashes and hyperactivity. People sensitive to aspirin and asthma sufferers should avoid it.

E110 Sunset Yellow FCF, Orange Yellow S This artificial yellow colour has been known to cause abdominal pain, allergic reactions, bronchial constriction, chromosomal damage, distaste for food, eye damage and blindness, hyperactivity, indigestion and gastric upset, kidney tumours, nasal congestion, nausea and vomiting, rhinitis (runny nose), swelling of the blood vessels and urticaria (hives). It is potentially dangerous to asthmatics and is known to upset some of the digestive enzymes. It has also been linked to growth retardation and severe weight loss in animal tests and increased incidence of tumours in animals. It is banned in Finland, Norway and the UK.

Products that may contain E110

• Baked goods

• Cakes

• Cereals

• Confectionary and sweets

• Desert mixes

• Ice cream and ice lollies

• Medications, nutrient supplements and cough syrups

• Soft drinks and squashes

• Sauces

• Snacks

• Soups

• Jams and jellies

• Tinned fish

• Yoghurt

E120 Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines This is a natural red colour obtained by crushing of the female Dactilopius coccus, a cactus-dwelling insect indigenous to Central America. The dye is expensive due to the sheer quantity of shells required to produce a small amount. Alcoholic drinks may contain the water-soluble form (ammonium carmine), but the insoluble calcium carmine is found in a many more products. Other commercial uses include as an anti-neoplastic agent. It can cause hyperactivity in children and urticaria (hives) and should be avoided by asthmatics, rhinitis sufferers and anyone sensitive to aspirin. It is banned in the USA.

Products that may contain E120

• Alcoholic beverages

• Cakes

• Confectionary and sweets

• Dyed cheeses

• Fizzy drinks

• Icings

• Pie fillings

• Puddings

• Sauces

• Soups

E122 Azorubine, Carmoisine Carmoisine or azorubine is a synthetic red food dye from the azo dye group. Azorubine is commonly used in the UK. A study commissioned by the UK's Food Standards Agency found that when used in a mixture of other preservatives, increased levels of hyperactivity in children were observed. The process of making synthetic dyes is via treatment of sulphuric acid or nitric acid that is often contaminated by arsenic or other heavy metals that are toxic. Consuming foods that contain excessive carmoisine will cause allergic skin reactions and can lead to cancer and it can adversely affect those that are sensitive to aspirin. It is banned in Austria, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United States.

Products that may contain E122

• Blancmange

• Breadcrumbs

• Cheesecake mixes

• Desserts

• Drinks (red coloured)

• Jams and preserves

• Jellies

• Marzipan

• Red mouthwashes

• Swiss roll

• Yoghurts

E123 Amaranth E123 should not to be confused with palatable amaranth, a small, highly nutritious, protein-rich seed typically used as an alternative to grains, Amaranth E123 is a purple-red synthetic coal tar or azo dye used for colouring in food. In its physical form, amaranth is introduced as either a powder, in granules or as aluminium lakes. It is added to processed foods to make them appear more appetising and aperitif wine drinks. Because amaranth is an azo dye, it has been proven to provoke asthma, eczema and hyperactivity as well as allergic reactions, similar to nettle rash, among asthmatics and individuals who are sensitive to aspirin. Amaranth is considered very dangerous as it increases hyperactivity in affected children.The FDA in the United States has banned amaranth and it is also banned in Austria, Japan, Norway, Russia and Sweden. Accept for use in caviar, this synthetic colourant is also restricted in France and Italy.

E124 Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red A This is an artificial synthetic coal tar and azo red dye that can increase hyperactivity in affected children and asthmatics sometimes react badly. It can also adversely affect those that are sensitive to aspirin and has shown to be a carcinogen in animals. It is estimated that one in 10,000 people are allergic to E124. It is banned in Canada, Norway, USA (in 1976 for cancer causing agents) and restricted in Sweden.

Products that may contain E124

• Desert mixes

• Salami

• Soups

• Tinned fruit

• Toppings

E127 Erythrosine This is a coal tar red dye, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, that can cause sensitivity to light and learning difficulties. It can also increase thyroid hormone levels and lead to hyperthyroidism and was shown to cause thyroid cancer in rats in a study in 1990. It may increase hyperactivity in affected children, asthmatics sometimes react badly and it can adversely affect those that are sensitive to aspirin. It is used as a biological stain and serves as an adsorption and fluorescent indicator, a dental plaque disclosing agent and a radiopaque medium. It has been suggested that erythrosine may affect thyroid activity due the presence of iodine in the molecule which may be released upon degradation and that erythrosine may be carcinogenic. It is also used as an ingredient to kill maggot lava and flies. It is banned in Norway and was banned in the USA in January 1990, but not recalled by the United States FDA.

Products that may contain E127

• Bakery and snack foods

• Biscuits

• Cakes

• Canned fruits

• Cherry, strawberry and rhubarb packet deserts

• Custard mixes

• Printing inks

• Processed cooked meat

• Spreads and pâté

• Sweets and candies

E128 Red 2G A synthetic red coal tar and azo dye, which is used particularly in meat products. The latter may contain sulphur dioxide and metabisulfite which normally have a bleaching effect, but Red 2G is relatively unaffected. There is evidence that Red 2G can be converted to aniline in the gut and laboratory tests have shown that aniline causes anaemia in rats, as it affects haemoglobin in red blood cells and it may cause damage to genes and a skin rash. E128 should be avoided by hyperactive chidren, asthmatics and aspirin sensitive people and is thought to be carcinogenic when added to foods. Banned in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, New Zealand, USA, and many other places except the UK.

Products that may contain E128

• Jams

• Processed meats

• Soft drinks

E129 Allura Red AC Allura red is an orange-red synthetic azo dye believed to produce a slightly less severe reaction by asthmatics and individuals who are intolerant to aspirin, however, allura red has also been linked to cancer in laboratory animals and the substance has been banned in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland. Individuals with skin sensitivities are advised to avoid allura red.

Products that may contain E129

• Biscuits

• Cake mixes

• Condiments

• Confectionary and sweets

• Cosmetics

• Dairy products

• Drugs

• Fruit flavoured fillings

• Gelatine

• Puddings

E131 Patent Blue V This is a synthetic blue-violet coal tar dye used only moderately in the food industry in Scotch eggs. It is mainly used to colour the lymph vessels and as a cardiovascular investigative dye. It is also used as an acid base indicator. Hypersensitivity reactions have been reported include itching and nettle rash, nausea, low blood pressure and, in rare cases, anaphylactic shock. Asthmatics sometimes react badly and it can adversely affect those that are sensitive to aspirin. Anyone with allergies or intolerances should be cautious. It is banned in Australia, Norway, Japan, New Zealand and USA.

E132 lndigotine, Indigo Carmine This is a synthetic coal tar blue dye that is normally produced by a synthesis of indoxyl by fusion of sodium phenylglycinate in a mixture of caustic soda and sodamide. The chemical structure of indigo was determined by Prussian chemist J. F. W. Adolf von Baeyer in 1883.  It is often used as a diagnostic aid (e.g. in kidney function tests). It can increase hyperactivity in affected children, asthmatics sometimes react badly to it and it can adversely affect those that are sensitive to aspirin. Be cautious if suffering from any kind of allergies or intolerances. It can cause brain tumours, breathing problems, high blood pressure, nausea and vomiting and skin rashes and other allergic reactions. Indigo carmine is also used as a photometric detector, and a biological stain. It is banned in Norway.

Products that may contain E132

• Baked goods

• Biscuits

• Confectionary and sweets

• Ice cream

• Medications (tablets and capsules)

• Milk deserts

E133 Brilliant Blue FCF This is a synthetic polycyclic  aromatic hydrocarbon, triphenylmethane blue dye usually occurring as an aluminium lake (solution) or ammonium salt. It may increase hyperactivity in affected children and can cause chromosomal damage, bronchial constriction (combined with E127 and E132) and skin rashes. It was banned in British Commonwealth 1972-1980 and is now banned in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Norway Switzerland and Sweden.

Products that may contain E133

• Confectionary and sweets

• Dairy products

• Drinks

• Inks

• Fabric and wood dye

• Protein stain

E140 Chlorophylls and chlorophyllins

E141 Copper complexes of chlorophyll and chlorophyllins

E142 Green S This is a synthetic coal tar derivative used as a green dye. It can cause and worsen asthma and hyperactivity and has caused skin rashes and cancer in animal tests. It is banned in Canada, Japan, Norway, Sweden and the USA.

Products that may contain E142

• Cake mixes

• Mint jelly and sauce

• Packaged breadcrumbs

• Tinned peas

• Beer

• Biscuits

• Bread

• Cakes

• Chocolate

• Confectionary and sweets

• Crisps

• Doughnuts

• Fizzy drinks

• Flour products

• Fruit sauces

• Ice cream

• Oyster sauce

• Pâté

• Pickles

• Preserves

• Sauces

• Soya sauce

• Whiskey

• Wine

• Vegetable protein and similar meat substitutes

E151 Brilliant Black BN, Black PN This is a synthetic brown/black coal tar derivative that can be carcinogenic. It can increase hyperactivity in affected children, asthmatics sometimes react badly and it can adversely affect those that are sensitive to aspirin. Be cautious if suffering from allergies or intolerances andit  may cause urticaria and problem to rhinitis sufferers. Also known to interfere with some digestive enzymes. It is banned in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, and the USA and greatly restricted Sweden.

Products that may contain E151

• Blackcurrant cake mixes

• Brown sauces

E152 Black 7984, Food Black 2, or C.I. 27755 A brown-to-black synthetic diazo dye. It usually comes as a tetrasodium salt. It is also used in cosmetics. Its use is discontinued in USA and EU since 1984. It is currently delisted and not used anymore both in European Union and USA. It is also not permitted in Australia and Japan. It appears to cause allergic or intolerance reactions, particularly amongst those with an aspirin intolerance. It is a histamine liberator, and may worsen the symptoms of asthma. It is one of the colourants that the Hyperactive Children's Support Group recommends be eliminated from the diet of children.
 

E153 Vegetable carbon May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Be cautious if suffering from allergies or intolerances. Black colour, charcoal pigment; used in jams, jelly crystals, liquorice; only the vegetable derived variety permitted in Australia. Banned in the United States.

E154 Brown FK Kipper or Food Brown. Made from 6 azo dyes and sodium chloride and/or sodium sulphate. It is mainly used to give fish flesh a healthy pigment which will not leach or fade during cooking. Typical products include smoked and cured fish, crisps, cooked meats. Banned in Austria, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, USA and all EEC countries except the UK.

E155 Brown HT May increase hyperactivity in affected children. Asthmatics sometimes react badly. Can adversely affect those that are sensitive to aspirin. Be cautious if suffering from allergies or intolerances. It is a brown colour, coal tar and azo dye; used in chocolate cake mixes; can produce bad reactions in asthmatics and people allergic to aspirin; also known to induce skin sensitivity; thought to be a carcinogenic in food, ADD children can have an adverse reaction to this dye. Typical products include foods where a chocolate colour is required, e.g. cakes and biscuits. Banned in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden and USA

E160a Carotenes Available as both synthetic and natural, companies do not have to specify which one they use.
NATURAL beta carotene has been shown to be a powerful cancer preventive substance when ingested with natural vitamin E, vitamin C, selenium and zinc. Note: Do not take zinc sulphate as it has been shown to cause cancer. (“Cancer-Causing Agents” by Ruth Winter.) It has also been proven to reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and strengthen the immune system.
SYNTHETIC beta carotene has been shown to increase the risk of cancer risk and to increase the death rates among smokers.
Note: Only purchase capsule and tablet supplements that list beta-carotene as natural and that list the source of the beta-carotene- which is usually Dunaliella salina algae or red palm-on the label. The word “natural” means nothing legally. Almost all beta -carotene supplements do not specify the source of the beta-carotene.

Do not buy natural beta-carotene extracted from carrots or carrot oil. It is extracted with the extremely dangerous solvent hexane, and hexane residue will always remain in the product. Hexane has been proven to cause birth defects, DNA damage and cancer.
Ideally, natural beta-carotene (with the source given) should always contain natural Vitamin E, which is a safe preservative.
In cosmetics it is declared as C.I.75130

Note: Cooked carrots are a rich source of beta-carotene. Try to buy only organic carrots as carrots are heavily sprayed with pesticides. Fat or oil from fish, avacado, coconut, nuts or seeds must be eaten at the same time for the body to be able to absorb the beta-carotene and to process it into Vitamin A. Natural beta -carotene cannot be converted into Vitamin A in the body by diabetics, infants and people with gall bladder disorders or thyroid disorders.

E160b Annatto; Bixin; Norbixin Red colour; derived from a tree (bixa orellana); Water soluble annatto contains bixin, a carotenoid and the main colourant which may be interconverted by hydrolysis to norbixin. Water soluble annatto contains sodium or potassium salts of norbixin as the major colourant. Annatto, bixin and norbixin can be used in a great variety of foods due to being either oil or water soluble. Typical products include soft drinks, fruit fillings, cheese, spreads, sauces, oil, cakes, butter, margarine, pastry, crisps, ice cream, ice lollies and smoked fish. Used as a body paint, fabric dye, antibacterial, antioxidant, digestive aid and expectorant; used to dye cereals, snack foods, soaps, textiles and varnishes; known to cause urticaria (nettle rash) and flare-ups of angioneurotic oedema. It is implicated in asthma (containing salicylic acid) and hyperactivity. See Annatto for more information.
 

E160c Paprika extract; Capsanthian; Capsorubin

E160d Lycopene Lycopene is a natural red colour derived from tomatoes. Banned in some countries.

E160e Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (C30)
E160f Ethyl ester of beta-apo-8'-carotenoic acid (C30)
E161a Flavoxanthin
E161b Lutein
E161c Cryptoaxanthin
E161d Rubixanthin
E161e Violaxanthin
E161f Rhodoxanthin
E161g Canthaxanthin
E162 Beetroot Red; Betanin
E163 Anthocyanins
E170 Calcium carbonate
E171 Titanium dioxide
E172 Iron oxides and hydroxides

E173 Aluminium, as a food additive, is used solely for external decoration where it can be found in the covering of dragées (a bite-sized form of confectionery with a hard outer shell) and the decoration of sugar-coated flour confectionery, in cake decorations and to give a silvery finish to pills and tablets. It is also added to the tap water drinking supply in some areas to remove discoloration and is widely available in antacid treatments. It can also be ingested from soft drinks in aluminium cans used past their sell-by dates, when the aluminium content of the drink has been found to exceed the limits laid down by the EC for drinking water, and by the use of aluminium pots and pans and cooking utensils.

There is an increasing body of evidence to suggest that an accumulation of aluminium in the cells of the nervous system can be toxic as it is found in very high levels in the brain cells of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, accumulated in the neurofibrillary tangles and neuritic plaques, but it is not yet known whether it is a cause or result of the disease. Several studies have also shown that excessive aluminium intake may have adverse effects on the metabolism of phosphorous and calcium in the human body and may induce or intensify skeletal abnormalities such as osteoporosis. Increased urinary excretion of magnesium and calcium has been reported following regular antacid use.
 

E174 Silver
E175 Gold
E180 Litholrubine BK

E181 Tannic acid, Tannins