A–Z index
Every additive, A to Z
Every food additive and E-number we cover, from A to Z, with its safety rating and diet answers. Filter by diet or jump to a letter.
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Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) E950Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K, E950) is a zero-calorie sweetener approved in the US, EU and Canada. EFSA re-checked it in 2025 and raised its daily limit. It's usually paired with sucralose or aspartame to hide a slightly bitter aftertaste.Use in moderationAgar-Agar E406Agar-agar (E406) is a seaweed gel that sets firmer than gelatin. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free, keto and kosher, and is the easiest plant swap for gelatin.Generally safeAlluloseAllulose is a "rare sugar" that tastes like sugar but has almost no calories and doesn't raise blood sugar. It's keto-friendly and browns like real sugar in baking.Generally safeAllura Red AC (Red 40) E129Red 40 (E129) is a petroleum-based dye. It's legal in the US and EU, but European packages must carry a warning about hyperactivity in children, and California is removing it from school food.Best to avoidAscorbic Acid (Vitamin C) E300Ascorbic acid (E300) is plain vitamin C. It keeps food from browning and is one of the safest additives there is.Generally safeAspartame E951Aspartame (E951) is a zero-calorie sweetener in diet soda. It's approved, but WHO's cancer agency called it "possibly carcinogenic" in 2023, and people with PKU must avoid it.Use in moderationBeetroot Red (Betanin) E162Beetroot red (E162) is a natural red color made from beets, and it's one of the safest colors you'll find on a label. It's the most common swap for Red 40, though it fades with heat and light.Generally safeBeta-Carotene E160aBeta-carotene (E160a) is the orange pigment in carrots, and it's safe as a food color. Your body turns some of it into vitamin A. High-dose supplements raised lung cancer risk in smokers, but food coloring amounts are far smaller.Generally safeBHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole) E320BHA (E320) is a synthetic preservative that keeps fats fresh. The US National Toxicology Program lists it as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen."Best to avoidBHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) E321BHT (E321) is a synthetic preservative in cereal and snacks. It's approved, but evidence on long-term effects is mixed, and many brands have dropped it.Use in moderationBrilliant Blue FCF (Blue 1) E133Blue 1 (E133) is a synthetic blue dye with a cleaner safety record than most petroleum dyes, and it doesn't need a warning in the EU. It's still being removed from California school food and is part of the FDA's push to phase out synthetic dyes.Best to avoidCalcium Phosphates (Tricalcium Phosphate) E341Calcium phosphates (E341) keep powders flowing, make baking powder rise and add calcium to plant milks. They're safe for most people, but phosphate additives add up, which matters for anyone with kidney disease.Use in moderationCalcium Propionate E282Calcium propionate (E282) is the mold inhibitor in most packaged bread. It's considered safe, vegan and gluten-free, though a few small studies have raised questions about behavior in children and blood sugar.Use in moderationCaramel Color (Sulfite Ammonia Caramel) E150dCaramel color (E150d) is the most common food coloring in the world and is considered safe at normal intakes. Its one real question mark is 4-MEI, a byproduct California lists as a carcinogen, which is why colas cut their levels.Use in moderationCarmine (Cochineal) E120Carmine (E120) is a red dye made from crushed insects. It's not vegan, vegetarian or kosher, and halal status is disputed. It can cause rare severe allergies.Use in moderationCarnauba Wax E903Carnauba wax (E903) is a plant wax from Brazilian palm leaves that makes candy shiny. It's safe, vegan and fits every diet we check.Generally safeCarrageenan E407Carrageenan (E407) is a seaweed thickener in plant milks and deli meats. It's approved, but some studies link it to gut inflammation, so people with IBD often avoid it.Use in moderationCellulose Gum (CMC) E466Cellulose gum (E466, CMC) is a thickener made from wood or cotton fiber. It's approved everywhere and fine for most diets, but studies in mice and a small human trial suggest it can disturb gut bacteria.Use in moderationCitric Acid E330Citric acid (E330) is the sour acid of lemons, made by fermentation. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly.Generally safeDisodium Guanylate E627Disodium guanylate (E627) is a savory booster used with MSG. It's usually made from yeast, but can come from fish, so check for a vegan label.Generally safeDisodium Inosinate E631Disodium inosinate (E631) boosts savory flavor, usually alongside MSG. It's often made by fermentation but can come from meat or fish, so it's only reliably vegan when labeled.Generally safeErythritol E968Erythritol (E968) is a zero-calorie sugar alcohol popular in keto foods. A 2023 study linked high blood levels to heart risk, and large amounts can upset your stomach.Use in moderationErythrosine (Red 3) E127Red 3 (E127) is a pink dye the FDA is removing from US food by 2027 because of cancer findings in rats. The EU already limits it to candied cherries.Best to avoidGelatinGelatin is made from pig, cow or fish parts, so it is never vegan. It's only halal or kosher when certified, because most unlabeled gelatin comes from pork.Generally safeGuar Gum E412Guar gum (E412) is a bean-based thickener. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly, and works best in cold foods like ice cream.Generally safeHigh-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS)High-fructose corn syrup is a liquid sugar made from corn. It's vegan and gluten-free, but it's sugar: not keto, not low-FODMAP, and best limited.Use in moderationL-Cysteine E920L-cysteine (E920) softens dough in bagels and pizza crust. It's often made from duck feathers or pig hair, so it's only reliably vegan or halal when certified.Use in moderationLecithin (Soy / Sunflower) E322Lecithin (E322) is a natural fat from soy or sunflower that keeps chocolate, dressings and baked goods smooth. It's safe, vegan and gluten-free. People with a soy allergy should look for sunflower lecithin.Generally safeMaltitol E965Maltitol (E965) is a sugar alcohol that tastes almost exactly like sugar, which is why it's in so much "sugar-free" chocolate. It still raises blood sugar noticeably, so it isn't a good fit for keto, and it's one of the sugar alcohols most likely to cause gas and diarrhea.Use in moderationMaltodextrinMaltodextrin is a starch powder that raises blood sugar faster than table sugar (GI about 110). It's vegan and gluten-free, but not keto-friendly and worth limiting if you watch blood sugar.Use in moderationModified Food StarchModified food starch is regular starch tweaked to survive cooking, freezing and acid. It's safe and vegan, but check the label for wheat if you avoid gluten, and it's not keto.Generally safeMonk Fruit Extract (Luo Han Guo)Monk fruit is a zero-calorie sweetener from a Chinese melon. It's vegan and keto-friendly, but most store blends are mostly erythritol.Generally safeMono- and Diglycerides E471Mono- and diglycerides (E471) are emulsifiers that can be made from plants or from pork or beef fat. They're only vegan, halal or kosher when the product is certified.Use in moderationMonosodium Glutamate (MSG) E621MSG (E621) is a fermented seasoning with the same glutamate found in tomatoes and parmesan. It's vegan, gluten-free and considered safe; studies haven't confirmed the "MSG headache."Generally safePectin E440Pectin (E440) is a fruit fiber that sets jam. It's one of the safest additives there is: vegan, gluten-free, halal and kosher.Generally safePhosphoric Acid E338Phosphoric acid (E338) gives cola its sharp bite. It's fine for every diet, but heavy cola drinking is linked to lower bone density in women and to tooth erosion.Use in moderationPolyglycerol Polyricinoleate (PGPR) E476PGPR (E476) is an emulsifier made from castor oil that helps cheaper chocolate flow with less cocoa butter. It's approved with limits and considered safe at food levels, but it's a sign of a budget recipe.Use in moderationPolysorbate 80 E433Polysorbate 80 (E433) is a lab-made emulsifier in ice cream and sauces. Mouse studies linked it to gut inflammation, and its vegan status depends on the fat source.Use in moderationPotassium Bromate E924Potassium bromate (E924) is a dough strengthener banned in the EU, UK and Canada because it causes cancer in animals. It's still legal in the US; look for "bromated flour."Best to avoidPotassium Sorbate E202Potassium sorbate (E202) is one of the mildest, most studied preservatives, used to stop mold in cheese, wine and baked goods. It's safe at normal amounts, vegan and gluten-free.Generally safeSaccharin E954Saccharin (E954) is the oldest zero-calorie sweetener, best known in pink packets. Its 1970s cancer scare came from rat studies that don't apply to people, and the US warning label was dropped in 2000. It's approved in the US, EU and Canada.Use in moderationShellac (Confectioner's Glaze) E904Confectioner's glaze is shellac (E904), a resin made by lac insects. It's not vegan, and halal and kosher acceptance varies by certifier.Generally safeSilicon Dioxide E551Silicon dioxide (E551) is a purified form of silica that keeps powders and spices from clumping. It's considered safe in food and passes through the body, though EFSA wants more data on its smallest particles.Use in moderationSodium Benzoate E211Sodium benzoate (E211) is a common preservative in soda and sauces. It's safe at normal amounts, but it can form small amounts of benzene when mixed with vitamin C.Use in moderationSodium Citrate E331Sodium citrate (E331) is a salt of citric acid that makes cheese melt silky-smooth. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly.Generally safeSodium Nitrite E250Sodium nitrite (E250) keeps bacon pink and prevents botulism, but forms cancer-linked compounds when cooked at high heat. "Uncured" meat usually has nitrite from celery instead.Best to avoidSorbitol E420Sorbitol (E420) is a sugar alcohol with about 60% of sugar's sweetness and fewer calories. It's safe in normal amounts, but it's not low-FODMAP, and large servings can cause gas or diarrhea.Use in moderationStevia (Steviol Glycosides) E960Stevia (E960) is a zero-calorie sweetener from a plant leaf, 200–300 times sweeter than sugar. It's vegan, keto-friendly and doesn't raise blood sugar.Generally safeSucralose (Splenda) E955Sucralose (Splenda, E955) is a zero-calorie sweetener made from sugar. It's approved, but recent studies raised questions about gut bacteria and heating it.Use in moderationSulfur Dioxide (Sulfites) E220Sulfur dioxide (E220) and the sulfites (E221–E228) keep wine, dried fruit and shrimp from spoiling or browning. They're fine for most people, but can trigger serious reactions in some people with asthma, so labels must declare them.Use in moderationSunset Yellow FCF (Yellow 6) E110Yellow 6 (E110) is a petroleum-based orange dye. It's legal in the US and EU, but European packages must carry a warning about hyperactivity in children, and California is removing it from school food.Best to avoidTartrazine (Yellow 5) E102Tartrazine (Yellow 5, E102) is a synthetic yellow dye linked to hyperactivity in some children and to hives in sensitive people. It must carry a warning in the EU.Best to avoidTitanium Dioxide E171Titanium dioxide (E171) is a white coloring banned in EU food since 2022 because damage to DNA couldn't be ruled out. It's still allowed in the US and Canada.Best to avoidTocopherols (Vitamin E) E306Tocopherols (E306) are natural vitamin E, added to stop oils from going rancid. They're safe, vegan and fit every diet we check.Generally safeXanthan Gum E415Xanthan gum (E415) is a thickener made by bacteria. It's safe, vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly, and it's the go-to binder for gluten-free baking.Generally safeXylitol E967Xylitol (E967) is a sugar alcohol as sweet as sugar, with fewer calories and little effect on blood sugar. It helps protect teeth, but it's extremely poisonous to dogs, and large amounts can upset your stomach.Use in moderation