Search any food additive by E-number (e.g. E102) or name (e.g. tartrazine). See what it is, health concerns, and which countries have restricted or banned it.
97 results found
None known at food levels; anti-inflammatory properties.
None — also a B vitamin. Sometimes derived from GMO yeast.
Linked to hyperactivity in children; may cause allergic reactions in aspirin-sensitive individuals. EU warning label required.
Hyperactivity in children; EU warning label required. Limited US use.
Linked to hyperactivity; not approved in USA or EU for most uses.
Animal studies showed adrenal tumors; hyperactivity in children; EU warning label required.
Derived from insects — not vegan. Can cause allergic reactions in rare cases.
Hyperactivity in children; EU warning label required.
Banned in USA due to potential carcinogenicity in animal studies.
Hyperactivity in children; not approved in USA.
Linked to thyroid tumors in animal studies. FDA announced phase-out by 2027–2028.
Most widely used food dye in USA. Linked to hyperactivity in children; EU requires warning label.
Not approved in USA. Allergic reactions reported.
Some animal studies suggest links to brain tumors at high doses.
Can cross the blood-brain barrier; some hypersensitivity reactions reported.
None known. Derived from plants.
Low concern; copper accumulation possible at extreme intake.
Generally considered safe. Produced by heating sugar.
Contains 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI), a potential carcinogen. Common in colas.
Contains 4-MEI (potential carcinogen). Most common type in dark sodas.
None at food levels.
None at food levels; precursor to Vitamin A.
Can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals; not always well tolerated.
None known. Natural red color from beets.
EU banned in food (2022); potential DNA damage in animal studies. Still allowed in USA.
Low concern at food doses; may accumulate in excess.
Generally safe. Can cause mild allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Low concern. Widely used mold inhibitor. Can form benzene with Vitamin C in acidic foods.
Reacts with Vitamin C to form benzene (carcinogen). Can trigger hyperactivity.
Forms benzene with ascorbic acid in drinks; hyperactivity in children when combined with dyes.
Same concerns as sodium benzoate — benzene formation, hyperactivity.
Asthma trigger; destroys B1 vitamin; required to be declared if >10 ppm.
Asthma and allergy risk; destroys thiamine.
Asthma trigger; can cause severe reactions in sulfite-sensitive individuals.
Can form carcinogenic nitrosamines; restricted use in cured meats.
Widely used in cured meats. Can form nitrosamines (carcinogens) during cooking at high heat.
Converts to nitrite in the body; links to colorectal cancer in processed meat.
Converts to nitrite in body; same nitrosamine risk as E250/E251.
None at food levels.
None. Naturally produced in fermentation.
Linked to behavioral issues in some animal studies; migraine trigger for some people.
Common in bread. Some reports of behavioral problems and migraines.
None at food levels; beneficial antioxidant.
None at food levels.
None at food levels; natural antioxidant.
Synthetic form less bioavailable than natural. Generally safe at food levels.
Possible endocrine disruptor; may trigger asthma. Often paired with BHA/BHT.
Possible carcinogen at high doses; immune system effects in animal studies. Common in fast food oils.
Possible carcinogen (IARC Group 2B); may disrupt hormones. Listed as a known carcinogen in California.
Possible endocrine disruptor; linked to increased cancer risk in some animal studies.
None. Derived from seaweed.
None at food levels. Seaweed-derived.
Degraded form linked to inflammation and gut damage; regular form disputed. Common in dairy alternatives.
None. Natural gum from carob seeds.
None at food levels; high fiber. May cause digestive discomfort in excess.
Generally safe. Made via bacterial fermentation. May cause digestive issues in large amounts.
Sugar alcohol — causes digestive distress (gas, diarrhea) in large amounts. Laxative effect.
Sugar alcohol — laxative at high doses; digestive upset.
Generally safe. Used as humectant.
Disrupts gut microbiome in animal studies; potential to promote inflammation and obesity.
None. Beneficial fiber derived from fruit.
Low concern. Used mainly in chocolate.
May affect calcium/phosphate balance; concerns about kidney load at high intake.
May contain trans fats not declared on label. Derived from animal fats in many cases (not vegan).
Low concern at food levels. Used to replace cocoa butter cheaply.
Generally safe; may affect gut bacteria at high doses.
None at food levels.
None at food levels. Used in baked goods.
None at food levels; provides calcium.
Used as pH adjuster; residues low in food. Corrosive in pure form.
Natural form of glutamate. May cause 'MSG symptom complex' in sensitive individuals.
Controversial: headaches, flushing reported anecdotally. Major scientific reviews find it safe at normal doses. High sodium content.
Often paired with MSG to amplify effect. Avoid if on low-purine diet (gout).
Often paired with MSG. Gout risk for those on low-purine diet. Often derived from meat or fish.
Combination of E627+E631. Gout risk; may cause skin reactions in large amounts.
Amino acid; none at food levels.
Studies suggest disruption to gut microbiome; some animal studies show thymus changes. 200× sweeter than sugar.
IARC classified as 'possibly carcinogenic' (Group 2B) in 2023. Controversial; phenylketonurics must avoid. 200× sweeter than sugar.
Banned in USA since 1970 due to bladder cancer risk in animal studies.
Oldest artificial sweetener. Bladder cancer in animals at mega-doses; IARC delisted from carcinogen list. Gut microbiome disruption in newer studies.
Newer studies link to gut microbiome disruption and possible DNA damage at high doses. FDA still considers safe.
None at food levels. Natural origin from stevia plant.
Very potent (7,000–13,000× sweeter). Limited long-term human data.
Sugar alcohol — significant laxative effect; affects blood sugar more than other sugar alcohols.
Sugar alcohol — laxative at high doses. Lower impact on blood glucose.
Safe for humans but HIGHLY TOXIC to dogs. Digestive upset in large amounts.
Generally well tolerated at lower doses. 2023 study linked high blood levels to cardiovascular risk (more research needed).
None. Not vegan.
Derived from lac bug secretions. Not vegan.
Petroleum-derived. Indigestible; passes through system.
Used to bleach and age flour. Residues minimal in final product.
Banned in EU and Australia. Used as dough conditioner in USA breads. Breaks down to carcinogen semicarbazide in baked goods.
Processed starch. Very high glycemic index.
Modified starch; generally considered safe.
Modified starch; generally safe at food levels.
Modified starch; common in sauces and soups. Generally considered safe.
Common in infant formula and dry foods. Generally safe; some concern for formula use in infants.
What are E-numbers?
E-numbers are standardized codes for food additives approved for use in the European Union. They cover colors, preservatives, antioxidants, emulsifiers, sweeteners, and more. A product sold in Europe must list E-numbers; the same additive sold in the USA may appear by its chemical name instead (e.g. "Tartrazine" instead of "E102").
The presence of an E-number doesn't automatically mean a substance is harmful — many are naturally-derived. IQ Scanner flags by risk level, not just by presence.
Want to check a complete food label?
IQ Scanner analyzes every ingredient — dyes, sugar aliases, preservatives, and more.
📷 Scan a Label Free →