Vegan E-Numbers — The Complete Guide

Which E-numbers are vegan? Of the 313 food additives in this guide, 253 are always vegan, 7 are never vegan, and 53 depend on the source used — and the label won't tell you which. Here's the complete breakdown.

The tables below follow the Open Food Facts additive taxonomy: 'always vegan' additives are plant-derived, mineral or synthetic in all normal food production; 'never vegan' additives are animal-derived by definition; and 'check the source' additives can be made from either plant or animal materials, so they need verifying product by product — a certified vegan logo is the only label-level guarantee.

Never vegan — always avoid

These additives are animal-derived in all food uses. If any of them appears on a label, the product is not vegan.

Check the source — may not be vegan

These can be plant-based or animal-derived. Verify with the manufacturer or look for vegan certification.

Always vegan

Plant-derived, mineral or synthetic in all standard production.

Want the short version? Our always-vegan E-numbers list covers the additives you never need to check, and the animal-derived E-numbers guide covers the surprises. Vegans managing allergies may also find our vegan label-reader's allergen guide useful.

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.