|
Number
|
Name
|
Comments
|
|
E400
|
Alginic acid
|
thickener
and vegetable gum, derived from seaweed; used in custard mix,
cordial, flavoured milk, ice blocks, thickened cream and yoghurt;
no known adverse effects in small quantities, large quantities
can inhibit the absorption of some nutrients
|
|
E401
|
Sodium alginate
|
see 400
|
|
E402
|
Potassium
alginate
|
see 400
|
|
E403
|
Ammonium
alginate
|
see 400
|
|
E404
|
Calcium alginate
|
see 400
|
|
E405
|
Propylene
glycol alginate
|
thickener
and vegetable gum, derived from petroleum; see separate entry
|
|
E406
|
Agar
|
thickener
and vegetable gum derived from red seaweed; sometimes used
as a laxative, found in manufactured meats and ice cream
|
|
E407
|
Carrageenan
|
a fibre extracted
from seaweed, it has recently been linked with cancer because
it may become contaminated when ethylene oxide is added to
an inferior product, this results in ethylene chlorohydrins
forming, a highly carcinogenic compound; linked to toxic hazards,
including ulcers and cancer; the most serious concerns relate
to degraded carrageen, which is not a permitted additive;
however, native carrageen an, which is used, may become degraded
in the gut
|
|
E410
|
Locust bean
gum
|
derived from
Carob or Locust bean tree Ceratonia siliqua; used in
lollies, cordials, essences, some flour products, dressings,
fruit juice drinks; frequently used as a caffeine-free chocolate
substitute; may lower cholesterol levels
|
|
E412
|
Guar gum
|
derived from
the seeds of Cyamoposis tetragonolobus of Indian origin;
fed to cattle in the US; can cause nausea, flatulence and
cramps, may reduced cholesterol levels
|
|
E413
|
Tragacanth
|
resin form
the tree Astragalus gummifer; used in foods, drugs
including nasal solutions, elixirs and tablets; also used
as a binder in cosmetics; possible contact allergy
|
|
E414
|
Acacia
|
derived from
the sap of Acacia Sengal; easily broken down by the
human digestive system; possible allergen, soothes irritations
of mucous membranes
|
|
E415
|
Xanthan gum
|
derived from
the fermentation of corn sugar with a bacterium
|
|
E416
|
Karaya gum
|
derived from
the tree Sterculia urens; often used in conjunction
with Carob (E 410), in ice cream, custard and sweets, as a
filler for its capability to multiply its volume by 100 times
with the addition of water; possible allergen
|
|
E417
|
Tara gum
|
derived from
the Tara bush, Caesalpinia Spinosa is indigenous to
Ecuador and Peru and is grown in Kenya
|
|
E420
|
Sorbitol
|
artificial
sweetener and humectants; derived from glucose, either obtained
from berries or synthesised; used in lollies, dried fruit,
pastries, confectionary, low calorie foods, pharmaceutical
syrups and ophthalmic preparations and is the seventh most
widely used preservative in cosmetics; not permitted in foods
for infants and young children, can cause gastric disturbance
|
|
E421
|
Mannitol
|
artificial
sweetener and humectants; derived from seaweed or the manna
ash tree; possible allergen, not permitted in infant foods
due to its ability to cause diarrhoea and kidney dysfunction,
also may cause nausea, vomiting; typical products are low
calorie foods
|
|
E422#
|
Glycerol
|
humectants
and sweetener; oily colourless alcohol; derived by decomposition
of natural fats with alkalis; usually as a by-product of soap
making using animal fat or vegetable oil; can be obtained
from petroleum products sometimes synthesised from propylene
or fermented from sugar; used in flexible coatings on sausages
and cheeses, also in crystallised and dried fruit, liqueurs
and vodka. "Glycerine has been shown to protect against
DNA damage induced by tumour promoters, ultraviolet lights
and radiation, presumably via free radical scavenging";
large quantities can cause headaches, thirst, nausea and high
blood sugar levels. Typical products are liquors, confectionary,
dried fruit, low calorie foods
|
|
E430#
|
?
|
?
|
|
E431#
|
Polyoxyethylene
stearate
|
?
|
|
E432#
|
Polysorbate
20
|
avoid
it, banned in some countries
|
|
E433#
|
Polysorbate
80
|
emulsifiers
derived from animal fatty acids; used as synthetic flavourings,
surfactants, defoaming agents and dough conditioners; may
increase the absorption of fat-soluble substances
|
|
E434#
|
Polysorbate
40
|
avoid
it, banned in some countries
|
|
E435#
|
Polysorbate
60
|
see 433
|
|
E436#
|
Polysorbate
120
|
see 433
|
|
E440(a)
|
Pectin
|
naturally
occurring in the skins of apples; used to thicken jams, jellies
and sauces; large quantities may cause temporary flatulence
or intestinal discomfort
|
|
E440(b)
|
Amidated
pectin
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E441#
|
Gelatine
|
possible
allergen, may contain 220, asthmatics and people allergic
to sulphites beware!
|
|
E442
|
Ammonium
phosphatides
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E450
|
Diphosphates
|
High intakes
may upset the calcium/phosphate equilibrium
|
|
E460
|
Cellulose
|
anti-caking
agent; no adverse effects known
|
|
E461
|
Methyl cellulose
|
can cause
flatulence, distension, intestinal obstruction
|
|
E463
|
Hydroxypropyl
cellulose
|
avoid
it, banned in some countries
|
|
E464
|
Hydroxypropyl
methyl cellulose
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E4120
|
Ethyl methyl
cellulose
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E466
|
Carboxy methyl
cellulose, Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E469
|
Sodium caseinate
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E470#
|
Fatty acids
salts
|
avoid
it, banned in some countries
|
|
E471#
|
Mono &
di glycerides of fatty acids
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E472#
|
Fatty acid
esters of glycerides
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E473#
|
Sucrose esters
of fatty acids
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E474#
|
Sucroglycerides
|
avoid
it, banned in some countries
|
|
E475#
|
Polyglycerol
esters of fatty acids
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E476#
|
Polyglycerol
polyricinoleate
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E477#
|
Propylene
glycol esters of fatty acids
|
derived from
petroleum; no known adverse effects
|
|
E478#
|
?
|
?
|
|
E479(b)#
|
Thermally
oxidized soya bean oil interacted with mono- and diglycerides
of fatty acids
|
?
|
|
E480
|
Dioctyl sodium
sulphosuccinate
|
awaiting
results of studies
|
|
E481#
|
Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E482#
|
Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E483#
|
Stearyl tartrate
|
avoid
it, banned in some countries
|
|
E491#
|
Sorbitan
monos tearate
|
no known
adverse effects
|
|
E492#
|
Sorbitan
tristearate
|
may increase
the absorption of fat-soluble substances
|
|
E493#
|
Sorbitan
monolaurate
|
avoid
it, banned in some countries
|
|
E494#
|
Sorbitan
mono-oleate
|
avoid
it, banned in some countries
|
|
E495#
|
Sorbitan
monopalmitate
|
avoid
it, banned in some countries
|
