What are E-numbers on food labels?
What are E-numbers on food labels?
An E-number identifies a food additive in the European system. Learn what the code means, how E102 compares with its US name, and where to check current conditions of use.
Authorization depends on the additive, food category, amount, and applicable rules. A code alone cannot tell you whether a particular product meets your preferences.
1. What the code tells you
An E-number names an additive in the EU system. It does not mean the additive is automatically permitted in every food, nor does the letter E mean that the ingredient is artificial. The European Commission additive database lists authorized additives and their conditions of use.
Start with the exact number and ingredient name on the package. A product may also name an additive by its function, such as a color or preservative.
2. E102 as a practical example
E102 is tartrazine, a yellow food color identified in the EFSA food-colours reference. In the United States, the corresponding certified color is FD&C Yellow No. 5; the FDA Yellow No. 5 record also lists tartrazine as a synonym.
These names help you recognize the same substance across labels. They do not make EU and US permissions interchangeable: check the specific food and rule in the place where the product is sold.
3. How to check a product
Read the full ingredient panel, record the number or name, then open the current regulator record. Look for the food category, limits, labeling conditions, and date of the record. Recheck the physical package if a website or barcode database shows a different formula.
Myredient can scan a barcode or photograph an ingredient list and show cited additive information by region. Use its result as a starting point and follow the primary source for a decision that matters to you.
Myredient provides general ingredient and regulatory information, not medical or dietary advice. It does not diagnose allergies, intolerances, or health conditions. For a medical concern, consult a qualified professional and follow the product label.
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