E-Numbers to Avoid — Additives With Real Concerns
Most E-numbers are harmless. But 9 are banned or heavily restricted somewhere, and 57 carry genuine concerns.
'Avoid' means credible concerns: regulatory bans elsewhere, mandatory warning labels, allergen status or EFSA findings. It doesn't mean a single biscuit will harm you — it means these additives are worth knowing about.
See also: banned E-numbers and the ADHD guide.
Banned or restricted
Banned in at least one major market, or restricted to very narrow uses.
| E-Number | Name | Safety | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| E123 | Amaranth | Banned/restricted | Full details |
| E171 | Titanium Dioxide | Banned/restricted | Full details |
| E952 | Cyclamate | Banned/restricted | Full details |
| E128 | Red 2G | Avoid | Full details |
| E214 | Ethyl Para-Hydroxybenzoate | Avoid | Full details |
| E215 | Sodium Ethyl Para-Hydroxybenzoate | Avoid | Full details |
| E239 | Hexamethylene Tetramine | Avoid | Full details |
| E284 | Boric Acid | Avoid | Full details |
| E285 | Sodium Tetraborate | Avoid | Full details |
Approved but with concerns
Legal but carrying warning labels, allergen rules or active scientific debate.
| E-Number | Name | Safety | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| E102 | Tartrazine | Some concerns | Full details |
| E104 | Quinoline Yellow | Some concerns | Full details |
| E110 | Sunset Yellow FCF | Some concerns | Full details |
| E122 | Carmoisine | Some concerns | Full details |
| E124 | Ponceau 4R | Some concerns | Full details |
| E127 | Erythrosine | Some concerns | Full details |
| E129 | Allura Red AC | Some concerns | Full details |
| E131 | Patent Blue V | Some concerns | Full details |
| E132 | Indigotine | Some concerns | Full details |
| E142 | Green S | Some concerns | Full details |
| E151 | Brilliant Black BN | Some concerns | Full details |
| E155 | Brown HT | Some concerns | Full details |
| E173 | Aluminium | Some concerns | Full details |
| E180 | Litholrubine BK | Some concerns | Full details |
| E210 | Benzoic Acid | Some concerns | Full details |
| E211 | Sodium Benzoate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E212 | Potassium Benzoate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E213 | Calcium Benzoate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E218 | Methyl Para-Hydroxybenzoate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E219 | Sodium Methyl Para-Hydroxybenzoate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E220 | Sulphur Dioxide | Some concerns | Full details |
| E221 | Sodium Sulphite | Some concerns | Full details |
| E222 | Sodium Hydrogen Sulphite | Some concerns | Full details |
| E223 | Sodium Metabisulphite | Some concerns | Full details |
| E224 | Potassium Metabisulphite | Some concerns | Full details |
| E226 | Calcium Sulphite | Some concerns | Full details |
| E227 | Calcium Hydrogen Sulphite | Some concerns | Full details |
| E228 | Potassium Hydrogen Sulphite | Some concerns | Full details |
| E249 | Potassium Nitrite | Some concerns | Full details |
| E250 | Sodium Nitrite | Some concerns | Full details |
| E251 | Sodium Nitrate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E252 | Potassium Nitrate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E310 | Propyl Gallate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E311 | Octyl Gallate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E312 | Dodecyl Gallate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E319 | Tertiary Butylhydroquinone | Some concerns | Full details |
| E320 | Butylated Hydroxyanisole | Some concerns | Full details |
| E321 | Butylated Hydroxytoluene | Some concerns | Full details |
| E338 | Phosphoric Acid | Some concerns | Full details |
| E339 | Sodium Phosphates | Some concerns | Full details |
| E340 | Potassium Phosphates | Some concerns | Full details |
| E407 | Carrageenan | Some concerns | Full details |
| E520 | Aluminium Sulphate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E521 | Aluminium Sodium Sulphate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E522 | Aluminium Potassium Sulphate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E523 | Aluminium Ammonium Sulphate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E541 | Sodium Aluminium Phosphate | Some concerns | Full details |
| E951 | Aspartame | Some concerns | Full details |
| E954 | Saccharin | Some concerns | Full details |
| E962 | Aspartame-Acesulfame Salt | Some concerns | Full details |
| E150b | Caustic Sulphite Caramel | Some concerns | Full details |
| E150c | Ammonia Caramel | Some concerns | Full details |
| E150d | Sulphite Ammonia Caramel | Some concerns | Full details |
| E160b | Annatto | Some concerns | Full details |
| E161g | Canthaxanthin | Some concerns | Full details |
| E407a | Processed Eucheuma Seaweed | Some concerns | Full details |
| E553b | Talc | Some concerns | Full details |
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Food Intolerance Test
Additive-Free Cookbook
Recipes using whole ingredients with no banned or restricted additives.
Food Intolerance Test
Home test kit to identify which additives or foods are affecting you.
Data: Open Food Facts (ODbL) · EFSA. General information only — not medical or dietary advice.