E-substances in food: the 20 most important additives

Food additives, so-called e-substances, are identified by the corresponding e-numbers. At first glance, you cannot tell whether it is a preservative, a dye or something else. You also don't know the impact on your health. So that you know what you eat, we have examined the most important additives.

E-substances in food - these additives are largely harmless

1. E 100: Curcumin is a dye. It is obtained from the goldenseal, so it is of vegetable origin.
2. E 153: Biochar is a dye. The E substance is obtained from plant ash, so it is of plant origin.
3. E 170: Calcium carbonate is a dye, an acidifying agent and a trickle aid that prevents individual crystals from clumping together. Calcium carbonate is of mineral origin.
4. E 412: Guar gum is a thickener. It is obtained from the seeds of the guar plant and is therefore of plant origin. Guar gum is considered safe, but is not recommended for children.
5. E 414: Gum arabic is a thickener, stabilizer and filler. As a rubber secretion from an acacia species, it is of vegetable origin. Gum arabic is considered safe, but is not recommended for children.
6. E 440: Pectin is a thickening and gelling agent. It is obtained from apples, sugar beets or orange peel and is therefore of plant origin.
7. E 483: Stearyl tartrate is an emulsifier that is only approved for desserts and baked goods - except bread - and is manufactured artificially.
8. E 501: Potassium carbonate (potassium carbonate and potassium hydrogen carbonate) is an acidity regulator, a leavening agent and a release agent. Potassium carbonate is better known as "potash". It is used in gingerbread and manufactured artificially, but is considered harmless.
9. E 513: Sulfuric acid is an acidifying agent that is contained in spices and sugar syrup. The e-fabric is manufactured artificially and is considered harmless.
10. E 901: Beeswax (white and yellow) is a release and coating agent. It is obtained from honeycombs and is therefore of animal origin.

E numbers in food - these additives harm health

1. E 102: Tartrazinist is allergenic if you already react to aspirin or benzoic acid. In asthma sufferers or neurodermatitis sufferers, tartrazine can lead to breathing difficulties and house rashes. The dye is made artificially. It is not advisable to consume the e-fabric, especially children.
2. E 104: The dye quinoline yellow is suspected to be carcinogenic and can cause allergies. Quinoline yellow is prohibited in the United States. The dye is made artificially and consumption is generally discouraged.
3. E 110: Sunset yellow FCT, yellow orange S is a dye that has an allergy-causing effect. In animal experiments, kidney tumors were registered at a high dose. He is suspected of causing neurodermatitis or asthma. Sunset yellow is made artificially, consumption is generally discouraged.
4. E 120: cochineal, carminic acid, real carmine, carmine is a dye. It has an allergy-causing effect, especially if you are allergic to aspirin or benzoic acid. E 120 is of animal origin and is considered of concern, especially for children.
5. E 129: The dye Allura Red AC also has an allergy-causing effect, especially if you are allergic to aspirin or benzoic acid. Allura Red AC is manufactured artificially and consumption is generally discouraged.
6. E 315: Isoascorbic acid is an antioxidant and a color stabilizer. The artificially produced substance is suspected of hindering the absorption of natural vitamin C and is considered to be of concern.
7. E 319: Tertiary butyl hydroquinone (THBQ) is an antioxidant. E 319 is a contact allergen, and cancer has also occurred in animal experiments. The E-Soff is manufactured artificially and is considered questionable.
8. E 338: Orthophosphoric acid is an acidifying agent that prevents the absorption of calcium, magnesium and iron in the body in high doses. E338 is of both vegetable and artificial origin and is considered of concern, especially for children.
9. E 385: Calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate (calcium disodium EDTA) is an antioxidant and a complexing agent. The E-fabric is only approved for semi-fat margarine, frozen crustaceans and canned glass and canned food. It binds minerals and can lead to impaired metabolism. E 385 is manufactured artificially. We generally advise against consuming the e-fabric.
10. E 406: Agar agar is a gelling and thickening agent. It is obtained from red algae and is therefore of plant origin. Ingested in high doses, it has a laxative effect. It also hinders the absorption of minerals. Agar-agar is considered a questionable e-substance.