Gluten-Free E-Numbers — The Quick Reference List

A quick-reference version of our gluten guide: E-numbers are gluten-free unless wheat is declared, and here's the short list where source matters.

Modified starches (E1404–E1451) are the only additive group where a gluten-containing source is plausible — and if wheat is used, the law requires the label to say 'wheat'. Everything else, from colours to sweeteners, contains no gluten. Coeliac-safe shopping is about the bold allergen declarations and certified gluten-free logos, not decoding E-numbers.

Starches — check the declared source

E-NumberNameSafetyDetails
E1404 Oxidised Starch Safe Full details
E1410 Monostarch Phosphate Safe Full details
E1412 Distarch Phosphate Safe Full details
E1413 Phosphated Distarch Phosphate Safe Full details
E1414 Acetylated Distarch Phosphate Safe Full details
E1420 Acetylated Starch Safe Full details
E1422 Acetylated Distarch Adipate Safe Full details
E1440 Hydroxypropyl Starch Safe Full details
E1442 Hydroxypropyl Distarch Phosphate Safe Full details
E1450 Starch Sodium Octenyl Succinate Safe Full details
E1451 Acetylated Oxidised Starch Safe Full details

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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.

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