E-Numbers Derived from Animals
These E-numbers are derived from animal sources and are not suitable for vegans — and several are not suitable for vegetarians or halal diets either. Some of their origins genuinely surprise people. Check these carefully on food labels.
E120
Carmine
Made from crushed cochineal insects harvested from cacti. Found in red sweets, yoghurts and juice drinks.
Full details →
E441
Gelatine
Made by boiling animal bones, skin and cartilage — usually from pigs. Found in gummy sweets, marshmallows and some yoghurts.
Full details →
E542
Bone Phosphate
Phosphate extracted from ground animal bones. Now rare in food but still found in some supplements and toothpaste.
Full details →
E904
Shellac
A resin secreted by the female lac insect — the same substance once used for gramophone records. Found on shiny sweets and coated fruit.
Full details →
E920
L-Cysteine
Traditionally extracted from duck feathers or hog hair to soften commercial bread dough. Fermentation-derived versions now exist — but labels don't say which.
Full details →
Always animal-derived
These are animal products by definition — no plant-based version exists in food use.
| E-Number | Name | Vegan status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| E120 | Carmine | Not Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E441 | Gelatine | Not Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E542 | Bone Phosphate | Not Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E901 | Beeswax | Not Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E904 | Shellac | Not Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E966 | Lactitol | Not Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E1105 | Lysozyme | Not Vegan | Vegan guide |
Often or sometimes animal-derived
These can be made from plant or animal sources — the label doesn't say which, so verify per product.
| E-Number | Name | Vegan status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| E101 | Riboflavin | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E1518 | Glyceryl Triacetate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E161g | Canthaxanthin | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E170 | Calcium Carbonate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E234 | Nisin | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E270 | Lactic Acid | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E304 | Ascorbyl Palmitate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E322 | Lecithins | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E325 | Sodium Lactate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E326 | Potassium Lactate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E327 | Calcium Lactate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E422 | Glycerol | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E432 | Polysorbate 20 | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E433 | Polysorbate 80 | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E434 | Polysorbate 40 | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E435 | Polysorbate 60 | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E436 | Polysorbate 65 | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E442 | Ammonium Phosphatides | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E470a | Sodium, Potassium and Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E470b | Magnesium Salts of Fatty Acids | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E471 | Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E472a | Acetic Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E472b | Lactic Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E472c | Citric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E472d | Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E472e | DATEM | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E472f | Mixed Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E473 | Sucrose Esters of Fatty Acids | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E474 | Sucroglycerides | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E475 | Polyglycerol Esters of Fatty Acids | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E477 | Propylene Glycol Esters of Fatty Acids | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E481 | Sodium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E482 | Calcium Stearoyl-2-Lactylate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E483 | Stearyl Tartrate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E491 | Sorbitan Monostearate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E492 | Sorbitan Tristearate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E493 | Sorbitan Monolaurate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E494 | Sorbitan Monooleate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E495 | Sorbitan Monopalmitate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E570 | Fatty Acids | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E585 | Ferrous Lactate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E626 | Guanylic Acid | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E627 | Disodium Guanylate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E628 | Dipotassium Guanylate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E629 | Calcium Guanylate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E630 | Inosinic Acid | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E631 | Disodium Inosinate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E632 | Dipotassium Inosinate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E633 | Calcium Inosinate | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E634 | Calcium 5'-Ribonucleotides | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E635 | Disodium 5'-Ribonucleotides | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E640 | Glycine and its Sodium Salt | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
| E920 | L-Cysteine | May Not Be Vegan | Vegan guide |
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Additive data sourced from Open Food Facts (ODbL licence) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This page is for general information and does not provide medical or dietary advice.