What are ‘E-numbers’?

Have you ever wondered what those ‘E-numbers’ are in ingredients lists?  Healthy Food Guide takes you through these common food additives and their codes.

The E numbers are shorthand for additive names and are derived from the international numbering developed for the European Union. These are some common food additives:

• E102 tartrazine (colour)
• E251 sodium nitrate (preservative)
• E330 citric acid (acidity regulator)
• E300 ascorbic acid or vitamin C (antioxidant)
• E322 lecithin (emulsifier)
• E410 locust bean gum (thickener)
• E440 pectin (gelling agent)
• E500 sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate (raising agents)
• E621 monosodium L-glutamate (flavour enhancer)
• E951 aspartame (non-nutritive sweetener)

For more information on E numbers and other food additives, see www.nzfsa.govt.nz