E-numbers are codes for various substances which can be used as food additives for use within the European Union and Switzerland (the "E" stands for "Europe"). You can commonly find these numbers on food labels throughout the European Union. Safety assessment and approval are done by the European Food Safety Authority.

The numbering scheme follows that of the International Numbering System (INS) which is determined by the Codex Alimentarius committee. But only a part, respectively subset, of the INS additives are approved for use in the European Union as food additives. There are several listed INS additives that are prohibited to use in food within the EU and Switzerland and therefore have no E-number. E-numbers are also encountered on food labelling in other countries including Australia, New Zealand and Israel. They are increasingly, though still rarely, found on North American packaging, especially in Canada on imported European food products.

E-number categories

E100 - E199: Food Colours

E200 - E299: Preservatives

E300 - E399: Permitted Antioxidants, Emulsifiers and Stabilisers

E400 - E499: Emulsifiers, Stabilisers and Thickening Agents

E500 - E599: pH Regulators and Anti-Caking Agents

E600 - E699: Flavour Enhancers

E700 - E799: Antibiotics

E900 - E999: Miscellanous / Additives with Different Functions

E1000 - E1299: Additives with Different Functions

E1400 - E1499: Modified Starches

E1500 - E1525: Artificial Flavours and Flavour Solvents