So, to decode those e-numbers in your drink and understand the roles each chemical plays in keeping your food fresh, read on!
To kick off, let’s look at what ‘processed’ food actually means. Personally, I always used to think that anything labelled as ‘processed’ would almost always be high in sugar and would have undergone multiple synthetic processes, but in reality, processed food covers almost anything that has undergone deliberate changes to its natural state. This can be anything from a simple washed and prepared salad or pre-cut fruit pots through to highly processed products like ready meals or convenience snacks which contain multiple added ingredients.
Ultimately though processed foods are not inherently unhealthy, but it is worth knowing the ingredients used and the role they play. As mentioned above there are various levels of processing which covers methods such as cooking, preserving, adding additives, or packaging. These alterations are intended to improve the taste, texture, shelf life, convenience, stability, or safety of food. All manufacturers must provide information about any additives used in the food they produce which can be found within the list of ingredients.
Below we look at some of the most common approved additives and the role they play in our food.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants help to prevent or slow down the oxidation process in food. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that occurs when food is exposed to oxygen, resulting in the breakdown of nutrients, flavour deterioration, and potentially the development of off-flavours or rancidity. Antioxidants, which can be either natural or synthetic work by inhibiting or reducing the oxidation process, thereby extending the shelf life of the food, and maintaining its quality.
Common antioxidant additives
- E300 Ascorbic Acid: Also known as vitamin C, ascorbic acid is a widely used antioxidant in the food and beverages industries. It is commonly added to fruit juices, canned fruits, cured meats, and some bakery products where it works to prevent oxidisation, colour, or flavour changes. It also acts as a dietary supplement to increase the levels of vitamin C in a product.
- E301 Sodium Ascorbate: Sodium ascorbate is also a form of vitamin C being a mineral salt derived from ascorbic acid. It is less acidic and therefore provides a less acidic taste and is ideal for foods and drinks where acidity levels need to be carefully controlled and/or reduced. However, as this antioxidant is a salt is does add to the sodium levels in the finished product.
- E302 Calcium Ascorbate: Another form of vitamin C, calcium ascorbate is the calcium salt of ascorbic acid. Where this additive serves as both a source of calcium and vitamin C it is often used by manufacturers to fortify their products whilst at the same time help prevent against the degradation of nutrients, flavours, and colour.
- E306-E309 Tocopherols: Tocopherols are a group of compounds belonging to the vitamin E family. Nuts, seeds and vegetables oils already provide a rich source of tocopherol but it is also often added to processed oils, margarines, and some bakery goods.
- E310 Propyl Gallate: Propyl gallate is derived from the propyl ester of gallic acid, which is a naturally occurring compound found in plants. Propyl gallate is commonly added to various processed foods to help prevent or slow down the oxidation process, thereby extending the shelf life of the products and maintaining their quality.
- E315 Erythorbic acid: Erythorbic acid is a stereoisomer of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and is known for its ability to slow down and prevent the oxidisation of food to extend shelf life and help maintain quality.
- E316 Sodium Erythorbate: Sodium erythorbate is the sodium salt of erythorbic acid. It possesses similar properties to erythorbic acid but is more soluble in water, making it easier to use in food applications.
- E319 Tertiary-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ): TBHQ is a food additive used in unsaturated vegetable oils and commonly found in fast food products as well as snacks like crisps and crackers to extend shelf life.
- E320 Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA): BHA is a synthetic antioxidant used to prevent oxidation in various food products, including oils, fats, cereals, snacks and margarines.
- E321 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT): BHT is another synthetic antioxidant commonly used in the UK food industry. It is often added to oils, fats, snacks, cereals, and processed meats.
Colours
Colourants are added to food for a wide range of reasons, primarily to make up for colour losses due to exposure to light, air or moisture and also to make products more enticing and visually appealing. Colours can be derived from natural sources such as plants and minerals or can be artificially synthesised.
Common food colours
Table: E number. Colour Name. Colour. Additional Info.
E-Number | Name | Colour | Additional Information |
| E100 | Curcumin | Yellow | A yellow pigment which is present in the spice turmeric and responsible for the yellow hue |
| E101 | Riboflavin | Yellow | |
| E102 | Tartrazine | Lemon Yellow | |
| E104 | Quinoline Yellow | Green/Yellow | |
| E110 | Sunset Yellow FCF. Orange Yellow S | Sunset Yellow | |
| E120 | Cochineal; Carminic acid; Carmines | Red | Red colouring obtained from the cochineal beetle |
| E122 | Azorubine; Carmoisine | Red | |
| E123 | Amaranth | Dark red to purple | |
| E124 | Ponceau 4R; Cochineal Red A | Strawberry Red | |
| E127 | Erythrosine | Cherry Red | Restriction on use to just cocktail and candied cherries |
| E129 | Allura Red AC | Red | |
| E131 | Patent Blue V | Dark blue – violet | |
| E132 | lndigotine; Indigo Carmine | Blue | |
| E133 | Brilliant Blue FCF | Blue | |
| E140 | Chlorophylls and chlorophyllins | Green | Commercially extracted from plants |
| E141 | Copper complexes of chlorophyll and chlorophyllins | Green | Commercially extracted from plants |
| E142 | Green S | Green | |
| E150a | Plain caramel | Light yellow to dark brown tones | |
| E150b | Caustic sulphite caramel | Dark Brown | |
| E150c | Ammonia caramel | Dark Brown | |
| E150d | Sulphite ammonia caramel | Rich dark brown | Used in one of the world’s favourite soft drinks |
| E151 | Brilliant Black BN; Black PN | Black | |
| E153 | Vegetable carbon | Carbon Black | Produced by burning vegetable matter |
| E155 | Brown HT | Chocolate brown | |
| E160a | Carotenes | Orange to Yellow | |
| E160b(i) | Annatto, bixin | Yellow, Orange, Orange to red | |
| E160b(ii) | Annatto, norbixin | Red to brown | Extracted from the seeds of the annatto tree |
| E160c | Paprika extract; Capsanthian; Capsorubin | Dark Red | Obtained from red pepper |
| E160d | Lycopene | Dark Red | Commercially isolated from tomatoes |
| E160e | Beta-apo-8'-carotenal (C30) | Orange to Red | |
| E161b | Lutein | Yellow | Obtained from plants |
| E161g | Canthaxanthin | Orange | |
| E162 | Beetroot Red; Betanin | Red | Obtained from beetroot |
| E163 | Anthocyanins | Violet. Purple. Blue | Isolated from plants. Temperature, light and pH influences the hue |
| E170 | Calcium carbonate | White | Also works as a pH adjuster, stabiliser and raising agent |
| E171 | Titanium dioxide | White | Not permitted for use in the EU and Northern Ireland |
| E172 | Iron oxides and hydroxides | Black. Red. Yellow | |
| E173 | Aluminium | Silver to Grey | Only used for surface coatings eg cake decorations |
| E174 | Silver | Silver to Grey | Used only for external coatings in confectionary items |
| E175 | Gold | Gold | Only used for surface coatings |
| E180 | Litholrubine BK | Red |
Common Preservatives
Preservatives are added to foods to prevent spoilage and microbial growth. Not only do they ensure the safety of products they also extend the shelf life and maintain their quality.
- E200 Sorbic Acid: Sorbic acid is used in a wide range of food and drink products from baked goods and meats through to fruit juices and ready meals. It is effective in inhibiting the growth of moulds, yeasts, and bacteria to help extend shelf life and preserve the quality of the products.
- E202 Potassium Sorbate: Potassium Sorbate is a popular additive in processed foods like dried meats, soft drinks, cheese and baked goods where it works to inhibit or slow the growth of mould without altering the appearance, taste or smell of products. It is also used in wine production to stabilise wine and prevent refermentation.
- E210 Benzoic Acid: Benzoic acid is effective against a wide range of microorganisms to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria and yeasts. Effective at lower pH levels it is ideal for acidic food and drink products.
- E211 Sodium Benzoate: Sodium benzoate is stable over a wide pH range and can withstand the pH levels found in many products such as carbonated soft drinks, fruit juices and acidic sauces. It is highly effective in preventing the growth of various microorganisms to prevent spoilage.
- E212 Potassium Benzoate: Potassium Benzoate is the potassium salt of benzoic acid and shares similar characteristics to sodium benzoate.
- E223 Sodium metabisulphite: Sodium Metabispulphite is commonly used with prawns, fresh fruit and vegetables to prevent browning or discolouration.
- E234 Nisin: Nisin possesses excellent antimicrobial properties and is able to protect food and drink products against various bacteria, particularly those that cause spoilage or foodborne illnesses. It is most often used in dairy products, canned foods, processed meats, and beverages.
- E250 Sodium nitrite: Sodium nitrite is commonly used as a food and drink preservative, particularly in cured meats and poultry products. Its primary role is to inhibit the growth of bacteria, particularly Clostridium botulinum, which can cause botulism. Sodium nitrite also helps preserve the appealing pink colour of cured meats and provides a distinctive flavour.
- E251 Sodium nitrate: Sodium nitrate is commonly used as a food and drink preservative, particularly in cured and processed meat products. It plays a crucial role in preventing the growth of harmful bacteria and is also responsible for enhancing the flavour and preserving the appealing red colour of meat products.
- E280 Propionic Acid: Propionic acid is primarily used as a preservative in the bakery and dairy sectors. In baked goods, propionic acid helps prevent the growth of mould and extends freshness, especially in products with high moisture content. In dairy products like cheese, it aids in preventing the growth of unwanted bacteria to preserve the quality and safety of the product.
Acidity regulators, Emulsifiers, Stabilisers and everything else
With hundreds of food additives available, listing them all would make for a hefty piece of content so I’ll end on a smaller range selected from a variety of categories. In terms of further reading or research there are some great websites out there to continue reading about additives and e-numbers, mainly the Food Standards Agency (https://www.food.gov.uk/). With anything relating to these topics it is always best to stick to verified, trusted websites to ensure the information you receive is up to date and correct.
- E260: Acetic Acid: Acetic acid has a wide range of uses in food and drink products including as an acidifier to impart a sour or tangy taste, a preservative, pH adjuster and flavour enhancer.
- E509 Calcium Chloride: Calcium chloride is a commonly found food additive used as a firming agent to help keep canned fruit or pickles firm and crunchy. It also serves as a supplement in fortified food to increase calcium content and works as a flavour enhancer in some food and drink products.
- E903 Carnauba Wax: Carnauba wax is produced by the leaves of the carnauba palm tree. It is used to add a glossy coating to confectionary as well as help sugar coated chocolates from melting. It is also added to fresh fruit or vegetables to keep them looking shiny whilst protecting the skin during transportation and processing.
- E330 Citric Acid: Citric acid has a wide range of uses within the food and drink industry which is why you’ll see it as a key ingredient across a range of products. It works as a flavour enhancer, preservative, stabiliser and antioxidant making it a highly versatile ingredient for use in the manufacture of your favourite snacks.
- E422 Glycerol: Also known as glycerine, glycerol has a range of uses across food and drink products, it works as a texture enhancer, sweetener, stabiliser, and preservative making it a highly versatile ingredient.
- E270 Lactic Acid: Lactic acid is a commonly used acidifier in food and drink products where it adds a tart or sour taste to the end products. It is also an excellent preservative.
- E338 Phosphoric Acid: Some of the most popular soft drinks on the market use phosphoric acid as an acidifier in their products to create a tart or tangy refreshing taste. It also helps to regulate pH and works as a preservative.
We hope you’ve found this article on common food additives useful. If you need a new supplier of chemicals or are looking to improve your buying options, then we would love to hear from you. Browse our full chemical product range here https://www.monarchchemicals.co.uk/Chemicals/A-to-Z or alternatively use our contact us page and we will be happy to help.
