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The truth about E numbers

The following table separates the bad from the good in terms of E numbers. The 'baddies' are chemical, manmade additives, so are toxic in some way, and I think you should eliminate them from your diet. The 'natural alternatives' are additives that come from natural sources and are those additives that I consider 'safe'. I've given you the names of these, too, so that you can see that many of them are things you will have heard of, or at least that don't sound terrifying or unpronounceable.

THE BADDIES

Colours
E102, E104, E110, E122-E131, E132, E133, E142, E150 (a, b, c, d), E151, E153, E154, E155, E160b

Preservatives
E200-E203, E210-E213, E214-E219, E220-E232, E234-E252, E281-E285

Antioxidants and acidity regulators
E310-E321, E385

Thickeners, Emulsifiers and stabilizers
E400-E405, E407, E415-E445, E461-E495, E1103

Sweeteners
E950-E966

Flavour enhancers
E621, E627, E631

Anti-caking agents
E535-E538, E553b

Glazing agents
E902, E903, E905c, E914, E915

Improvers and bleaching agents
E925-E926

Others
E513, E524-E528

THE NATURAL ALTERNATIVES
Colours
E100 Curcumin, turmeric
E101 Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
E140 Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins: (i) Chlorophylls (ii) Chlorophyllins
E160a Beta-carotene
E160d Lycopene
E161b Lutein
E163 Anthocyanins
Preservatives
E1105 Lysozyme
Antioxidants and acidity regulators
E300 Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C)
E301 Sodium ascorbate
E302 Calcium ascorbate
E303 Potassium ascorbate
E322 Lecithin
E332 Potassium citrates (i)
E333 Calcium citrates (i)
E375 Niacin (nicotinic acid), Nicotinamide
Thickeners, emulsifiers and stabilizers
E406 Agar
Sweeteners
E967 Xylitol
Anti-caking agents
E558 Bentonite
Glazing agents
E901 Beeswax, white and yellow
E908 Rice bran wax
E910 L-cysteine
E913 Lanolin, sheep wool grease
Improvers
E920 and E921 L-cysteine
Others
E948 Oxygen

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