Preservatives — Complete E-Number Guide
Preservatives are food additives (mainly numbered E200–E299) that extend shelf life by preventing microbial growth. Found in bread, cheese, wine, cured meats and pickled vegetables. Every additive below links to its full safety, vegan and halal breakdown.
A handful of additives below carry E-numbers outside the E200–E299 band — they're grouped here because they do the same job in food, not because of their number; the EU/UK E-number system groups by main series but reassigns some additives by function.
| E-Number | Name | Safety | Vegan | Halal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E200 | Sorbic Acid | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E201 | Sodium Sorbate | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E202 | Potassium Sorbate | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E203 | Calcium Sorbate | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E210 | Benzoic Acid | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
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| E211 | Sodium Benzoate | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E212 | Potassium Benzoate | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E213 | Calcium Benzoate | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E214 | Ethyl Para-Hydroxybenzoate | Avoid | Yes | Halal |
| E215 | Sodium Ethyl Para-Hydroxybenzoate | Avoid | Yes | Halal |
| E218 | Methyl Para-Hydroxybenzoate | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E219 | Sodium Methyl Para-Hydroxybenzoate | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E220 | Sulphur Dioxide | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E221 | Sodium Sulphite | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
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| E222 | Sodium Hydrogen Sulphite | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E223 | Sodium Metabisulphite | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E224 | Potassium Metabisulphite | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E226 | Calcium Sulphite | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E227 | Calcium Hydrogen Sulphite | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E228 | Potassium Hydrogen Sulphite | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E234 | Nisin | Safe | Uncertain | Halal |
| E235 | Natamycin | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E239 | Hexamethylene Tetramine | Avoid | Yes | Halal |
| E242 | Dimethyl Dicarbonate | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E249 | Potassium Nitrite | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E250 | Sodium Nitrite | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E251 | Sodium Nitrate | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E252 | Potassium Nitrate | Some concerns | Yes | Halal |
| E280 | Propionic Acid | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E281 | Sodium Propionate | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E282 | Calcium Propionate | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E283 | Potassium Propionate | Safe | Yes | Halal |
| E284 | Boric Acid | Avoid | Yes | Halal |
| E285 | Sodium Tetraborate | Avoid | Yes | Halal |
| E1105 | Lysozyme | Safe | No | Halal |
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Products for preservatives
Alternatives and resources related to preservatives
Additive-Free Foods
Products without preservatives — great for sensitive diets.
Preservative-Free Cooking
Guides to cooking fresh without relying on packaged goods.
Food Intolerance Test
Find out which additives are affecting you with a home test kit.
Data: Open Food Facts (ODbL) · EFSA