Additives

116 E-numbers, each with the published position it is scored on and the body that published it. This is the part of Spoil that is not borrowed: the nutrition maths comes from Open Food Facts, but the additive judgements are a file in the repository, which means you can read every one and argue with it.

An additive that is not in this list is reported as unrated rather than treated as safe, and contributes nothing to a score in either direction.

What the bands mean

High: An agency has withdrawn safety, classified the substance, mandated a warning, or banned it outright.
Moderate: Contested, restricted, or flagged by peer-reviewed work without a formal reclassification.
Limited: A specific, bounded concern such as a labelling requirement or a reaction in sensitive people.
Low: Re-evaluated without an identified safety concern at permitted levels.
Unrated: No published position is recorded here, so it contributes nothing to a score in either direction.

A single high-risk additive caps a whole product at 49 out of 100, which is a toggle in your settings rather than a law of nature.

High · 19

E102Tartrazine
Carries the mandatory EU label 'may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children'.
EU Regulation 1333/2008, Annex V
Restricted in European Union, West Virginia, Utah, Arizona, California
E104Quinoline yellow
Carries the mandatory EU activity-and-attention label. Not permitted in the United States for foods.
EU Regulation 1333/2008, Annex V
Restricted in European Union, United States
E110Sunset yellow FCF
Carries the mandatory EU activity-and-attention label.
EU Regulation 1333/2008, Annex V
Restricted in European Union, West Virginia, Utah, Arizona, California
E122Azorubine / carmoisine
Carries the mandatory EU activity-and-attention label. Not permitted in the United States.
EU Regulation 1333/2008, Annex V
Restricted in European Union, United States
E123Amaranth
Banned in the United States since 1976; permitted in the EU only in caviar and some spirits.
US FDA; EU Regulation 1333/2008
Restricted in United States, European Union
E124Ponceau 4R
Carries the mandatory EU activity-and-attention label. Not permitted in the United States.
EU Regulation 1333/2008, Annex V
Restricted in European Union, United States
E127Erythrosine / Red 3
The FDA revoked its authorisation for food and ingested drugs on 15 January 2025 under the Delaney Clause, after a petition showed it induces cancer in male rats. Permitted in the EU only in cocktail and candied cherries.
US FDA, 90 FR 4326 (2025)
Restricted in United States, European Union, California, West Virginia, Utah, Arizona
E128Red 2G
Withdrawn from the EU market in 2007 after EFSA could not establish a safe intake.
EFSA opinion, 2007
Restricted in European Union
E129Allura red AC
Carries the mandatory EU activity-and-attention label.
EU Regulation 1333/2008, Annex V
Restricted in European Union, West Virginia, Utah, Arizona, California
E171Titanium dioxide
EFSA concluded in 2021 that it can no longer be considered safe as a food additive because genotoxicity could not be ruled out. Banned in the EU from 2022.
EFSA opinion, 2021
Restricted in European Union
E216Propylparaben
EFSA could not recommend an acceptable daily intake because no clear no-effect level was established for the reproductive endpoint. Its authorisation as an EU food additive was withdrawn in 2006.
EFSA opinion, 2004; EU Directive 2006/52/EC
Restricted in European Union, California, West Virginia, Utah
E249Potassium nitrite
IARC classifies ingested nitrite under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A).
IARC Monographs Vol. 94
E250Sodium nitrite
IARC classifies ingested nitrite under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). Processed meat itself is Group 1.
IARC Monographs Vol. 94 and Vol. 114
E251Sodium nitrate
IARC classifies ingested nitrate under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A).
IARC Monographs Vol. 94
E252Potassium nitrate
IARC classifies ingested nitrate under conditions that result in endogenous nitrosation as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A).
IARC Monographs Vol. 94
E320BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole)
IARC classifies BHA as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).
IARC Monographs Vol. 40
Restricted in West Virginia
E443Brominated vegetable oil
The FDA revoked its authorisation effective 2 August 2024, concluding the intended use is no longer safe after studies with the NIH found the potential for adverse effects in humans. Not authorised in the EU.
US FDA, 89 FR 54947 (2024)
Restricted in United States, European Union, California
E924Potassium bromate
IARC classifies potassium bromate as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). Banned in the EU.
IARC Monographs Vol. 73
Restricted in European Union, California, Utah, Arizona
E951Aspartame
IARC classified aspartame as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B) in 2023. JECFA reaffirmed the acceptable daily intake of 40 mg/kg body weight at the same time.
IARC / JECFA joint assessment, 2023

Moderate · 41

E131Patent blue V
Documented cause of hypersensitivity reactions; not permitted in the United States.
EFSA opinion, 2013
Restricted in United States
E132Indigotine
EFSA set a revised acceptable daily intake; hypersensitivity reactions are reported.
EFSA opinion, 2014
Restricted in West Virginia, Utah, Arizona, California
E133Brilliant blue FCF
Permitted with an acceptable daily intake; hypersensitivity reactions are reported.
EFSA opinion, 2010
Restricted in West Virginia, Utah, Arizona, California
E150CAmmonia caramel
Manufacture can produce 4-methylimidazole; EFSA set a group ADI and California lists 4-MEI under Proposition 65.
EFSA opinion, 2011
E150DSulphite ammonia caramel
Manufacture can produce 4-methylimidazole; EFSA set a group ADI and California lists 4-MEI under Proposition 65.
EFSA opinion, 2011
E220Sulphur dioxide
Mandatory allergen declaration above 10 mg/kg; triggers asthmatic reactions in sensitive people.
EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II
E221Sodium sulphite
Mandatory allergen declaration above 10 mg/kg; triggers asthmatic reactions in sensitive people.
EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II
E222Sodium bisulphite
Mandatory allergen declaration above 10 mg/kg; triggers asthmatic reactions in sensitive people.
EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II
E223Sodium metabisulphite
Mandatory allergen declaration above 10 mg/kg; triggers asthmatic reactions in sensitive people.
EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II
E224Potassium metabisulphite
Mandatory allergen declaration above 10 mg/kg; triggers asthmatic reactions in sensitive people.
EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II
E226Calcium sulphite
Mandatory allergen declaration above 10 mg/kg; triggers asthmatic reactions in sensitive people.
EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II
E227Calcium bisulphite
Mandatory allergen declaration above 10 mg/kg; triggers asthmatic reactions in sensitive people.
EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II
E228Potassium bisulphite
Mandatory allergen declaration above 10 mg/kg; triggers asthmatic reactions in sensitive people.
EU Regulation 1169/2011, Annex II
E235Natamycin
An antifungal medicine used as a surface preservative; restricted to cheese and cured sausage rinds.
EFSA opinion, 2009
E239Hexamethylene tetramine
Releases formaldehyde; permitted in the EU only in Provolone cheese.
EU Regulation 1333/2008
E310Propyl gallate
EFSA lowered the acceptable daily intake in 2014 and noted gaps in the genotoxicity data.
EFSA opinion, 2014
E311Octyl gallate
EFSA could not confirm safety and the additive was removed from the EU permitted list.
EFSA opinion, 2015
Restricted in European Union
E312Dodecyl gallate
EFSA could not confirm safety and the additive was removed from the EU permitted list.
EFSA opinion, 2015
Restricted in European Union
E319TBHQ
Permitted with a strict acceptable daily intake; peer-reviewed work reports immune effects in animal models.
EFSA opinion, 2004
E321BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene)
EFSA reaffirmed an acceptable daily intake of 0.25 mg/kg body weight, which is readily approached by high consumers.
EFSA opinion, 2012
E338Phosphoric acid
EFSA set the first group acceptable daily intake for phosphates in 2019 and found dietary exposure exceeds it across most population groups.
EFSA opinion, 2019
E339Sodium phosphates
Covered by the 2019 EFSA phosphate group acceptable daily intake, which dietary exposure exceeds across most groups.
EFSA opinion, 2019
E340Potassium phosphates
Covered by the 2019 EFSA phosphate group acceptable daily intake, which dietary exposure exceeds across most groups.
EFSA opinion, 2019
E341Calcium phosphates
Covered by the 2019 EFSA phosphate group acceptable daily intake, which dietary exposure exceeds across most groups.
EFSA opinion, 2019
E385Calcium disodium EDTA
Chelates trace minerals; permitted only in a narrow set of foods with a low acceptable daily intake.
EU Regulation 1333/2008
E407Carrageenan
EFSA re-evaluated it in 2018 and could not exclude degraded carrageenan in the additive; it is not permitted in EU infant formula.
EFSA opinion, 2018
Restricted in European Union
E432Polysorbate 20
Emulsifier associated with intestinal barrier and microbiome effects in animal and in-vitro studies.
Peer-reviewed emulsifier literature
E433Polysorbate 80
Emulsifier associated with intestinal barrier and microbiome effects in animal and in-vitro studies.
Peer-reviewed emulsifier literature
E435Polysorbate 60
Emulsifier associated with intestinal barrier and microbiome effects in animal and in-vitro studies.
Peer-reviewed emulsifier literature
E450Diphosphates
Covered by the 2019 EFSA phosphate group acceptable daily intake, which dietary exposure exceeds across most groups.
EFSA opinion, 2019
E451Triphosphates
Covered by the 2019 EFSA phosphate group acceptable daily intake, which dietary exposure exceeds across most groups.
EFSA opinion, 2019
E452Polyphosphates
Covered by the 2019 EFSA phosphate group acceptable daily intake, which dietary exposure exceeds across most groups.
EFSA opinion, 2019
E466Carboxymethyl cellulose
Emulsifier associated with intestinal barrier and microbiome effects in animal and controlled human feeding studies.
Peer-reviewed emulsifier literature
E621Monosodium glutamate
EFSA set a group acceptable daily intake of 30 mg/kg body weight in 2017 and found that intake exceeds it for some population groups.
EFSA opinion, 2017
E622Monopotassium glutamate
Covered by the EFSA group acceptable daily intake of 30 mg/kg body weight for glutamates, which is exceeded by some groups.
EFSA opinion, 2017
E623Calcium diglutamate
Covered by the EFSA group acceptable daily intake of 30 mg/kg body weight for glutamates, which is exceeded by some groups.
EFSA opinion, 2017
E624Monoammonium glutamate
Covered by the EFSA group acceptable daily intake of 30 mg/kg body weight for glutamates, which is exceeded by some groups.
EFSA opinion, 2017
E625Magnesium diglutamate
Covered by the EFSA group acceptable daily intake of 30 mg/kg body weight for glutamates, which is exceeded by some groups.
EFSA opinion, 2017
E952Cyclamate
Banned in the United States since 1970; permitted in the EU with a reduced acceptable daily intake.
US FDA; EFSA opinion, 2000
E954Saccharin
Delisted by IARC as not classifiable in humans, but EFSA revised the acceptable daily intake downward in 2024.
EFSA opinion, 2024
E1520Propylene glycol
Permitted only as a carrier solvent, with an acceptable daily intake that high consumers can approach.
EFSA opinion, 2018

Limited · 22

E120Cochineal / carminic acid
A documented cause of allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis in rare cases. Insect-derived.
EFSA opinion, 2015
E143Fast green FCF / Green 3
Permitted in the United States. Not authorised as a food additive in the EU.
US 21 CFR 74.203; EU Regulation 1333/2008
Restricted in European Union, West Virginia, Utah, Arizona, California
E150APlain caramel
Produced without ammonia, so it does not carry the 4-methylimidazole concern of E150c and E150d.
EFSA opinion, 2011
E150BCaustic sulphite caramel
Produced without ammonia, so it does not carry the 4-methylimidazole concern of E150c and E150d.
EFSA opinion, 2011
E200Sorbic acid
EFSA reduced the acceptable daily intake in 2015 and noted exceedance in some groups.
EFSA opinion, 2015
E202Potassium sorbate
EFSA reduced the acceptable daily intake in 2015 and noted exceedance in some groups.
EFSA opinion, 2015
E210Benzoic acid
Can form benzene in the presence of ascorbic acid.
EFSA statement on benzene in beverages
E211Sodium benzoate
Can form benzene in the presence of ascorbic acid. Appears in the trials behind the EU activity-and-attention warning.
EFSA statement on benzene in beverages
E212Potassium benzoate
Can form benzene in the presence of ascorbic acid.
EFSA statement on benzene in beverages
E412Guar gum
No acceptable daily intake specified; laxative effects at high intake.
EFSA opinion, 2017
E415Xanthan gum
No acceptable daily intake specified; laxative effects at high intake.
EFSA opinion, 2017
E420Sorbitol
Requires the label 'excessive consumption may produce laxative effects' above 10 percent.
EU Regulation 1333/2008, Annex III
E421Mannitol
Requires the label 'excessive consumption may produce laxative effects' above 10 percent.
EU Regulation 1333/2008, Annex III
E460Cellulose
EFSA re-evaluated celluloses in 2025 and asked for nanoparticle specifications.
EFSA opinion, 2025
E471Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids
No acceptable daily intake specified, but the source fat may be palm oil and trans isomers can be present.
EFSA opinion, 2017
E551Silicon dioxide
EFSA could not conclude on the safety of the nanoparticle fraction and asked for revised specifications.
EFSA opinion, 2018
E950Acesulfame K
Permitted with an acceptable daily intake of 9 mg/kg body weight; EFSA opened a re-evaluation.
EFSA opinion, 2000
E955Sucralose
Permitted with an acceptable daily intake of 15 mg/kg body weight; heating above 120C can generate chloropropanols.
EFSA statement, 2017
E960Steviol glycosides
Permitted with an acceptable daily intake of 4 mg/kg body weight expressed as steviol.
EFSA opinion, 2010
E965Maltitol
Requires the label 'excessive consumption may produce laxative effects' above 10 percent.
EU Regulation 1333/2008, Annex III
E967Xylitol
Requires the label 'excessive consumption may produce laxative effects' above 10 percent.
EU Regulation 1333/2008, Annex III
E968Erythritol
Requires the laxative-effects label; peer-reviewed work reports associations with platelet reactivity.
EU Regulation 1333/2008, Annex III

Low · 34

E100Curcumin
Re-evaluated by EFSA with an acceptable daily intake and no identified concern at permitted levels.
EFSA opinion, 2010
E101Riboflavin
A B vitamin; no safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA opinion, 2013
E140Chlorophylls
No acceptable daily intake needed; no safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA opinion, 2015
E160ACarotenes
No safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA opinion, 2012
E160CPaprika extract
No safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA opinion, 2015
E162Beetroot red
No safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA opinion, 2015
E163Anthocyanins
No safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA opinion, 2013
E170Calcium carbonate
No safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA opinion, 2011
E260Acetic acid
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA re-evaluation
E270Lactic acid
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA re-evaluation
E290Carbon dioxide
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA re-evaluation
E296Malic acid
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA re-evaluation
E300Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA opinion, 2015
E301Sodium ascorbate
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA opinion, 2015
E306Tocopherol-rich extract
Vitamin E compounds; no safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA opinion, 2015
E307Alpha-tocopherol
Vitamin E; no safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA opinion, 2015
E322Lecithins
No acceptable daily intake needed; commonly soy-derived, which is a declarable allergen.
EFSA opinion, 2017
E325Sodium lactate
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA re-evaluation
E330Citric acid
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA opinion, 2022
E331Sodium citrates
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA opinion, 2022
E332Potassium citrates
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA opinion, 2022
E333Calcium citrates
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA opinion, 2022
E336Potassium tartrates
Group acceptable daily intake with no exceedance identified.
EFSA opinion, 2020
E392Rosemary extract
No safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA opinion, 2008
E410Locust bean gum
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA opinion, 2017
E414Acacia gum
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA opinion, 2017
E440Pectins
No acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA opinion, 2017
E500Sodium carbonates
No safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA re-evaluation
E501Potassium carbonates
No safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA re-evaluation
E503Ammonium carbonates
No safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA re-evaluation
E504Magnesium carbonates
No safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA re-evaluation
E575Glucono-delta-lactone
No safety concern identified at permitted levels.
EFSA re-evaluation
E941Nitrogen
Packaging gas; no acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA re-evaluation
E948Oxygen
Packaging gas; no acceptable daily intake needed.
EFSA re-evaluation