Editing E number (section)

{{Short description|Codes for food additives}}
{{About|the food additive codes|the constant|e (mathematical constant)|other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
[[File:Riboflavin solution.jpg|thumb|right|upright|A solution of E101 [[riboflavin]] (also known as vitamin B2)]]
[[File:Monosodium glutamate crystals.jpg|thumb|right|Crystals of E621 [[monosodium glutamate]] (MSG), a flavour enhancer]]

'''E numbers''', short for Europe numbers, are codes for substances used as [[food additive]]s, including those found naturally in many foods, such as [[vitamin C]], for use within the [[European Union]] (EU)<ref name="1333/2008">{{cite web |url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02008R1333-20201223&from=EN |title=Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives |website=[[EUR-Lex]]: Access to European Union law |date=16 December 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=31 August 2021 |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831114906/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:02008R1333-20201223&from=EN }}</ref>{{rp|27}} and [[European Free Trade Association]] (EFTA).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://theconversation.com/explainer-what-are-e-numbers-and-should-you-avoid-them-in-your-diet-43908|title=Explainer: what are E numbers and should you avoid them in your diet?|magazine=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]|author=Matthew Snelson|access-date=18 November 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426091006/https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-are-e-numbers-and-should-you-avoid-them-in-your-diet-43908|archive-date=26 April 2019}}</ref> Commonly found on [[food label]]s, their safety assessment and approval are the responsibility of the [[European Food Safety Authority]] (EFSA).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.faia.org.uk/faq2_4.php|title=Frequently Asked Questions {{!}} Why Food Additives|website=Food Additives and Ingredients Association UK & Ireland- Making life taste better|access-date=6 March 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601015633/https://www.faia.org.uk/faqs/|archive-date=1 June 2019}}</ref> The fact that an additive has an E number implies that its use was at one time permitted in products for sale in the [[European Single Market]]; some of these additives are no longer allowed today.

Having a single unified list for food additives was first agreed upon in 1962 with [[food colouring]]. In 1964, the directives for preservatives were added, in 1970 antioxidants were added, in 1974 emulsifiers, stabilisers, thickeners and gelling agents were added as well.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foodlaw.rdg.ac.uk/additive.htm|title=Food Additives in the European Union|website=Foodlaw-Reading {{!}} The University of Reading, UK|author=David Jukes|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426091006/http://www.foodlaw.rdg.ac.uk/additive.htm|archive-date=26 April 2019}}</ref>