List non vegetarian e numbers

Answer 1

E Numbers are simply artificial food additives, like colourants, flavourants, antioxidants, preservatives, stabilisers, thickeners etc.

Each of these additives is given a corresponding "E Number" that adheres to an international numbering system, so that their use in food can be regulated.

There are literally thousands of them, and unfortunately they are not all free of animal products. As we know, it is not often that we are afforded clear, non-ambiguous labelling, indicating whether a product is suitable for consumption by Vegetarians and Vegans, which is fine, it's not too difficult to scan the ingredients on the packaging of the products one buys. But it is slightly more difficult to judge whether or not the additives contain animal products when they are listed by their E Numbers.

Below is a list of E Numbers derived from animal products. In some instances, they may have been synthesised in labs, and may not be derived from actual animal products, but finding out where and how the additives in a particular product were manufactured is often difficult to do. Any E Numbers not listed, are generally considered safe for Vegetarian and/or Vegan consumption.

E Numbers definitely containing animal products/derivatives:

E120 - Cochineal (crushed scale of Dactylopius Coccus, a type of cactus beetle)

E441 - Gelatine (animal hoof/skin)

E542 - Bone Phosphate

E631 - Disodium inosinate (fish derivative)

E635 - Disodium ribonucleotides

E901 - Beeswax

E904 - Shellac (insect origin)

E966 - Lactitol (milk derivative)

E1105 - Lysozyme (found in egg whites)

E Numbers possibly containing animal products/derivatives: (unfortunately it is not generally stated as to whether these additives are synthesised or derived from animal products, but it is fair to assume that in some cases they contain animal products)

E104 - Quinoline Yellow

E160 - Alpha-, beta-, gamma carotene

E161 - Canthaxanthin

E252 - Potassium Nitrate

E270 - Lactic Acid

E304 - Ascorbyl Palmitate

E304 - Ascorbyl Stearate

E322 - Lecithin (may be made from eggs)

E325 - Sodium Lactate

E326 - Potassium Lactate

E327 - Calcium Lactate

E422 - Glycerol/Glycerin

E(430 - 436) - Polyoxyethylenes

E442 - Ammonium Phosphotides

E445 - Glycerol esters of wood resin

E470(a) - Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids

E470(b) - Magnesium salts of fatty acids

E471 - Mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids

E472(a) - Acetic acid esters of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids

E472(b) - Lactic acid esters of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids

E472(c) - Citric acid esters of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids

E472(d) - Tartaric acid esters of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids

E472(e) - Mono- and di-acetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids

E472(f) - Mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids

E473 - contains fatty acids

E474 - Sucroglycerides

E475 - Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids

E476 - Polyglycerol esters of polycondensed fatty acids of caster oil

E477 - contains fatty acids

E479(b) - contains fatty acids

E481 - Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate

E482 - Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate

E483 - Stearyl tartrate

E(491 - 495) - Sorbitan

E570 - Stearic acid

E585 - Ferrous Lactate

E640 - Glycine and its sodium salt

E920 - L-cysteine and L-cysteine hydrochloride

E1518 - Glycerol

If you are unsure as to whether an additive is of animal origin, get hold of the manufacturer, who will most likely be able to tell you.