Gluten-Free Ingredients — Which E-Numbers Contain Gluten?

Good news for coeliacs and the gluten-sensitive: almost no E-numbers contain gluten. Additives are purified compounds, and even the modified starches (E1404–E1451) are usually made from maize, potato or tapioca. Here's what to actually watch for.

The one caveat is starch source: in the EU and UK, if a modified starch is made from wheat, the label must say so (e.g. 'modified wheat starch') because gluten-containing cereals are declared allergens. Wheat-derived glucose syrups and dextrose are exempt from allergen labelling because processing removes the gluten. So for E-numbers, the rule is simple: if the label doesn't declare wheat, the additive is gluten-free.

Where gluten actually hides is elsewhere on the label: barley malt extract, wheat flour as a carrier in seasonings, and cross-contamination warnings. Certified gluten-free logos remain the strongest guarantee.

Modified starches — gluten-free unless wheat is declared

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.