Knowra E number E number An E number is a code assigned to a food additive approved for use in the European Union and some other regions. The code identifies the additive on ingredient labels.
Food additive : A substance added to food to affect properties such as preservation, color, flavor, or texture. E numbers identify approved substances within this broader category.
Tartrazine : A synthetic yellow azo dye used as a color additive in foods, medicines, and cosmetics. Its E number, E102, identifies a widely used food color.
Food additive regulation : The laws and procedures governing which substances may be added to food and under what conditions. E numbers belong to a system of regulated authorization, not merely a chemical classification.
International Numbering System for Food Additives : A Codex Alimentarius system that assigns numbers to food additives for international use. Its numbers overlap with E numbers, but they do not by themselves indicate EU authorization.
European Food Safety Authority : The European Union agency that provides independent scientific advice on food safety. Its risk assessments inform decisions about authorizing and reviewing additives.
Aspartame : A low-calorie artificial sweetener used in foods and beverages. The code E951 labels this sweetener in ingredient lists.
Food additive risk assessment : The scientific evaluation of potential health risks from consuming a food additive. Assessment helps determine whether an additive can be authorized and at what conditions.
Natural food additive : A food additive derived from natural sources rather than produced solely through chemical synthesis. An E number does not reveal whether an additive is natural or synthetic.
European Commission : The executive institution of the European Union, responsible for proposing and implementing EU policies and laws. It manages EU authorization rules and the official list of food additives.
Monosodium glutamate : The sodium salt of glutamic acid, used as a flavor enhancer. Its code, E621, is a familiar example of an additive number.
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