Table of Contents
What are additives?
There are several hundred food additives in the European Union, which are mainly used in ready-to-eat foods. The “E” in the E numbers stands for EU. The additives can be divided into groups and categories. They must always be specified specifically on the packaging.
What additives are there?
| E numbers | task of the additives |
| E100 – 199 | Dyes: give stronger colors |
| E200 – 299 | Preservatives: inhibit the growth of yeast, fungi and bacteria, which increases shelf life |
| E300 – 321 | Antioxidants: prevent the reaction with oxygen for a longer shelf life |
| E322 – 399 | Acidifiers: give a sour taste, preserve and stabilize |
| E400 – 429 | Gelling, thickening and humectant agents: give firmer form, increase food viscosity and prevent sugar from drying out and crystallizing |
| E430 – 499 | Emulsifiers: ensure that immiscible liquids mix, eg water and oil |
| E500 – 949 | Additives such as raising agents, firming agents, flavor enhancers and modified starch |
| E950-1518 | Sweeteners: give a sweet taste, can have a laxative and flatulent effect |
How healthy are additives?
Additives can trigger skin allergies such as neurodermatitis in sensitive people or breathing difficulties in asthmatics. In our picture gallery we present 20 additives!
E 102 – Tartrazine
What is tartrazine?
- chemically produced, citrus yellow azo dye
- is artificially made from petroleum
- stable to heat, light and acid
What is tartrazine in? The lemon yellow
dye is approved for lemonade, baked goods and confectionery, desserts, processed cheese, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, cleaning agents and textiles. It is chemically produced but also occurs naturally in pineapples, oranges, strawberries, grapefruit, raspberries, honey, grapes and lemons.
Why is tartrazine harmful?
Tartrazine can cause pseudoallergic symptoms on the skin and respiratory tract if consumed in excess. Especially in people who are allergic to benzoic acid (E210) and acetylsalicylic acid. In the EU, foods containing tartrazine must carry the warning “May impair the activity and attention of children”.
E110 – Gelborange S
What is Yellow Orange S?
- artificial coloring of the azo dyes
- is artificially produced from petroleum derivatives
- stable to heat, fruit acid and light
What is yellow orange S in?
Yellow-orange S is used for lemonade, baked goods and confectionery, desserts and processed cheese. The dye is banned from organic foods.
Why is Sunset Yellow S harmful?
In high amounts, E110 can cause pseudoallergic symptoms on the skin and respiratory tract. As with E102, this applies to people who are allergic to benzoic acids (E210) and acetylsalicylic acid. In the EU, foods containing E110 must carry the warning “May impair children’s activity and attention”.
E122 – Azorubin
What is azorubine?
- red to maroon, water-soluble azo dye
- is made artificially
- similar to E123 (amaranth)
What is azorubine in?
The dye azorubine colors drinks, confectionery, jelly, processed cheese, fish and crustacean pastes, instant soups and sauces red.
Why is azorubine harmful?
It can cause rashes, eczema or hives in sensitive people or trigger asthma-like attacks. E122 may affect children’s attention. The dye can also contain aluminum, which is suspected of promoting dementia, as well as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. There is evidence that aluminum, as a so-called metal estrogen, influences the effect of female sex hormones and impairs fertility.
E123 – Amaranth
What is amaranth?
- water-soluble, red azo dye
- artificially made from petroleum derivatives
- stable to heat and light
- Fruit acid affects color strength
What is amaranth in?
Caviar, liqueurs and spirits, for example, are colored red with the substance amaranth.
Why is azorubine harmful?
As with azorubine, aluminum can also be contained here, which affects the female sex hormones and is said to impair fertility. In high doses, amaranth has shown in animal studies that it is mutagenic and impairs the immune system.
E124 – Cochenillerot
What is Cochineal Red A?
- cheap substitute for natural real carmine (E120)
- red, water-soluble azo dye
- artificially made from petroleum derivatives
- stable to light, heat and fruit acid
What is cochineal red A?
Cochineal red A gives Spanish sausage specialties, salmon substitutes, drinks, confectionery and jams their red colour.
Why is cochineal red A harmful?
E124 can cause allergic reactions, damage the genetic material and impair the attention of children. It may also contain aluminium, which is suspected of having a negative impact on health.
E127 – Erythrosin
What is erythrosine?
- artificially produced flourescin dye
- Color range from pink to red
- The more acidic the environment, the more intense the color
- stable in heat but not in light
What is erythrosin?
Erythrosin colors cocktail cherries and pickled cherries pink to red.
Why is erythrosine harmful?
Because of its iodine content, E127 should not be consumed in excess, as it can lead to hyperthyroidism in thyroid patients. It is noticed through restlessness, nervousness and profuse sweating. The dye can also contain aluminum, which is suspected of influencing estrogens in the body and promoting Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
E129 – Allurarot AC
What is Alluarot AC?
- water-soluble, red azo dye
- artificially made from petroleum derivatives
What does Alluarot AC contain?
Allura Red is used to color British breakfast meats and sausages, as well as confectionery, desserts and soft drinks.
Why is Alluarot AC harmful?
Allura red can promote hyperactivity and attention deficits in children. The dye may also contain aluminium, which can affect female hormones. It is also suspected of promoting Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Alluarot is banned in Denmark, Sweden, Belgium, France and Switzerland. People with aspirin or benzoic acid allergy, asthma and neurodermatitis should avoid the substance.
E142 – Brillantsäuregrün BS
What is Brilliant Acid Green BS?
- chemically synthesized green-blue dye
- Dye can only be absorbed by the body in small amounts
What is Brilliant Acid Green BS?
The dye Brilliant Acid Green makes peas even greener and gives foodstuffs with peppermint their mint green appearance.
Why is Brilliant Acid Green BS harmful?
For humans, 4mg per kilo of body weight per day is harmless. However, E142 is mutagenic in animals. In addition, E142 can contain aluminum, which influences estrogen and is suspected of promoting Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
E150c – Ammonia caramel
What is ammonia caramel?
- caramel colored
- arises when heating foods containing starch and sugar
- in industry, the formation of caramel is accelerated by chemicals such as acids or carbonates
- plain caramel (E150a), sulfite caramel (E150b), ammonia caramel (E150c) or ammonium sulfite caramel (E150d) are formed
What is ammonia caramel in?
These substances also end up in foods colored with E150c/d, such as cola, confectionery, beer or balsamic vinegar. The colorant is not permitted for bread, biscuits, chocolate, coffee, tea and cocoa, as a more intensive coloration simulates a higher quality.
Why is ammonia caramel harmful?
In association with ammonia, it has been observed in rats to have effects on the immune system. In the production of, for example, ammonium sulfite caramel (E150d), other substances are produced that are considered carcinogenic.
E151 – Brillantschwarz BN
What is Brilliant Black BN?
- belongs to the azo dyes
- is artificially produced from petroleum derivatives
- purple to black hue
What is Brilliant Black BN?
False caviar and liquorice in particular are colored with brilliant black, but also violet and black-colored beverages.
Why is Brilliant Black BN harmful?
E151 can trigger allergic reactions on the skin and respiratory tract in sensitive people. In test tube and animal experiments it turned out that E151 has a mutagenic and carcinogenic effect.
E154 – Braun FK
What is Braun FK?
- artificial coloring made from petroleum, six different colorings, Glauber’s salt and/or table salt
- red-brown color in powder or granular form
- water soluble
What is Braun FK included in?
E154 is used exclusively for coloring English smoked herring (Kippers). This should give it a strong color that does not fade during cooking.
Why is Braun FK harmful?
Braun FK can cause allergic reactions on the skin and respiratory tract.
E155 – Braun HT
What is Braun HT?
- is produced chemically-synthetically from petroleum
- reddish-brown powder or granules
- Mixture of artificial azo dyes, other colors and cooking and/or Glauber’s salt
What does Braun HT contain?
E155 browns cakes, biscuits, ice cream and ice cream to make them look more chocolatey. Seasonings are also often colored with Braun HK.
Why is Braun HT harmful?
The dye Braun HT is one of the azo dyes that can cause allergic reactions on the skin and respiratory tract in sensitive people.
E173 – Aluminium
What is aluminum?
- silvery gray metal
- is used in numerous areas and sectors such as the packaging industry or electrical engineering
- is also in food
What is aluminum in?
Aluminum as a coloring agent has no quantitative limit and is mainly used for coloring sugar sprinkles for cakes and desserts and for candy icing. According to the EU Commission, the recommended daily intake is significantly exceeded and reaches the brain more quickly, for example with citric acid.
Why is aluminum harmful?
Aluminum is suspected of promoting Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. It inhibits endogenous substances that protect against aggressive oxygen compounds. Aluminum is also a metal estrogen, which affects the female sex hormones and can thereby impair fertility, among other things.
E180 – Litholrubin BK
What is Litholrubin BK?
- rotate azo dye
- is made from calcium and aluminum compounds
E180 is only used to color edible cheese rinds. The dye may be used without any quantity restrictions.
Since E180 is one of the azo dyes, it is also suspected of triggering allergic reactions on the skin and respiratory tract in very sensitive people. Aluminum can also be included, which promotes Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and is said to have a negative effect on female sex hormones.
E239 – Hexamethylentetramin
What is hexamethylenetetramine?
- chemically produced compound from ammonia and formaldehyde
- preservative and disinfectant
- flammable
The preservative is only approved for the Italian cheese type Provolone.
The preservative itself is not harmful. The preservation only occurs through the splitting off of formaldehyde in a protein-rich and acidic environment. Formaldehyde is generally considered to be carcinogenic, but it can be used in small amounts.
E284 & E285 – boric acid and borax
What are boric acid and borax?
- common insecticide
- effective against fungi and weeds
- used in the textile industry
- flame retardants for wood
- A preservative in the food industry
The two substances occur exclusively and in very small amounts in caviar. Because of serious health concerns, boric acid and borax are only permitted in well-defined amounts. (5 g per kilo of caviar)
If consumed regularly, the two substances lead to chronic poisoning, which is accompanied by physical deterioration, impaired perception, diarrhea and cramps.
E385 – Calcium-Dinatrium-EDTA
What is Calcium Disodium EDTA?
- is produced exclusively in a chemical process of formaldehyde and hydrocyanic acid with ethylenediamine
- can bind metal ions so that no bacteria dock
- slightly preservative effect
- prevents color changes in canned vegetables and protects the taste
E385 may only be used on certain foods such as low fat margarine, legumes, canned artichokes and mushrooms, sauces, frozen crustaceans and canned crustaceans. The maximum daily amount is 2.5 mg per kilo of body weight.
The substance is controversial because it is difficult to degrade in the environment and accumulates accordingly. Due to its metal-binding effect, it can release heavy metals from the environment so that they can take effect.
E512 – Zinn-II-Chlorid
What is stannous chloride?
- chemically produced
- is the tin salt of hydrochloric acid
- It is used as an antioxidant, stabilizer and acidifier
- prevents discoloration in canned white vegetables
E512 is only found in canned asparagus. The maximum amount is 25mg per kilo of food. The daily intake in humans is limited to 2 mg per kilo of body weight.
E512 can cause stomach irritation, vomiting, diarrhea and severe nausea when consumed in large quantities. In normal amounts, it is considered harmless and is excreted from the body without any problems. Since stannous chloride is actually not useful for daily nutrition, it still represents a burden for digestion and metabolism.
E620 – glutamic acid and glutamate
What are glutamic acid and glutamate?
- Glutamate is the salt of glutamic acid
- Binds with sodium (sodium glutamate, E621), potassium (potassium glutamate, E622), calcium (calcium glutamate, E623), ammonium (ammonium glutamate, E624), magnesium (magnesium glutamate, E625)
- occurs naturally and chemically
- “Flavour enhancer” or with its own intensive taste
- give food an intense, spicy-sweet taste (umami, meat taste)
- is produced biotechnically with bacteria, animal and vegetable raw materials
MSG is naturally found in Roquefort, Parmesan, ripe tomatoes, mushrooms, peanuts, grape juice, peas, broccoli, chicken and beef. Mostly produced chemically, glutamate is present in condiments, broths and highly processed foods such as frozen foods, ready-made, canned and bagged meals, sauces and snack foods. The substance is approved for all foods.
Glutamate is suspected of destroying nerve cells and thus promoting Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The extent to which glutamate influences hunger and satiety, since it reduces the satiety hormone leptin, has also been circumvented. As an additive, glutamate can, in rare cases, cause headaches, numbness in the neck, body aches and nausea in very sensitive people. Asthma attacks can also be caused in asthmatics.
E999 – Quiljaextrakt
What is quilja extract?
- comes from the bark of the soap bark tree (South America)
- Contains natural saponins traditionally used for washing clothes
- Extract is purified and used in the food industry
- slightly bitter taste
