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eHalal Updates

E-Code Food List: Muslim’s should Avoid these Harmful Additives

Last Updated on March 18, 2023

A long list of E-numbers can be found on many pre-packaged foods when shopping. Not all of these additives are bad or harmful to health. We have summarized for you which additives you should avoid.

Additives in food: Look out for E-numbers when shopping

E numbers – the “E” stands for “Europe” denote food additives. A total of 300 of these substances are permitted. They have different tasks.

Emulsifiers: These additives are used to connect substances that cannot actually be connected.

  • Dyes: They bring color to our food and are supposed to make it look more appetizing.
  • Antioxidants: These additives make food last longer. For example, they prevent fats from going rancid.
  • Flavor enhancers: As the name suggests, they provide more flavor.
  • Sugar substitutes: They serve as a sugar substitute.
  • Thickeners: These additives give food a creamy texture, such as ice cream or fruit yoghurt.
  • Preservatives: Like antioxidants, they also ensure a longer shelf life, but by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.

E numbers: The dyes are harmful to health

Sometimes the manufacturers deliberately refrain from listing E numbers and use the name of the additive instead. That’s why we call number and name.

  • E102 – Tartrazine (coloring agent): Yellow coloring agent found in custard powder, processed cheese, confectionery, beverages and mustard.
  • E104 – Quinoline yellow (dye): Only permitted in small quantities for smoked fish, chewing gum, jelly, sherbet powder and fruit wines.
  • E110 – Yellow Orange S (Colouring): Found in salmon substitutes, cheese and wine gums.
  • E122 – Azorubine (carmoisine) (coloring agent): Red coloring agent found in sweets and beverages, as well as in instant soups and other convenience foods.
  • E123 – Amaranth (coloring agent): Red coloring agent, permitted only for caviar, aperitif wines and spirits.
  • E124A – Chochineal Red A (dye): Red dye found in salmon substitutes, chorizo ​​sausage, fruit jelly and other sweets.
  • E127 – Erythrosine (coloring agent): Red coloring agent, only permitted for candied cherries, cocktail cherries and fruit salads containing cherries.
  • E129 – Allura Red AC (colour): Found in Germany in desserts, beverages and confectionery. Banned in Belgium, Denmark, France, Sweden and Switzerland.
  • E142 – Green S (Dye): Green dye that dyes canned peas, beverages and mints green, as well as cosmetics, leather, paper and wool.
  • E150C – Ammonia Caramel (Colouring): Colors cola or mustard sauces brown, as well as whisky – by the way, we present the most popular varieties in another article for you.
  • E151 – Brilliant Black BN (dye): Used in liquorice and in caviar substitutes, but also in shampoos.
  • E154 – Brown FK (dye): Approved only for smoked herring from England, also called “Kippers”.
  • E155 – Brown HT (Colouring): Reddish-brown colouring, approved for coloring chocolate, ice cream, cakes, biscuits or other confectionery.
  • E173 – Aluminum (colouring agent): Silver-grey coloring agent approved for the decoration of pastries and cakes and for coatings on confectionery.
  • E180 – Litholrubin BK (colour): Red colourant, only permitted for cheese rind.
  • E239 – Hexamethylenetetramine (preservative): Authorized for only one type of Italian cheese, namely “Provolone”.
  • E284 – Boric acid (preservative): Approved for caviar only.
  • E285 – Sodium tetraborate (borax) (preservative): As a variant of boric acid, only permitted for caviar.
  • E385 – Calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate (Calcium disodium EDTA) (antioxidant): Approved only for margarine, frozen crustaceans and canned and glass preserves.
  • E425 – Konjac (thickener): Banned in the EU for jelly confectionery. You can find, for example, glass noodles and Far Eastern specialties.
  • E512 – Stannous Chloride (Antioxidant): Approved for canned and glass jars only. It can be found, for example, in canned asparagus.
  • E999 – Quillaja Extract (Stabilizer): Only approved for beverages, stabilizes foam. You can find it in cider or ginger ale, for example.