A Complete List of Non-Vegan Food Additives (E-Numbers)
It's relatively easy to say if a product is plant-based or not based on its ingredients, but knowing if all additives (or E-numbers) are vegan is a far more complicated task. Our list contains 64 additives that are always or sometimes derivated from animals.
Written by Michael Whaley, Health Writer. Updated on November 19, 2022.
Finding completely plant-based, vegan commercially prepared products isn’t always an easy task.
There are some obvious things, like products containing meat, eggs, or dairy, but there’s a whole world of food additives, or E-number they are sometimes called, that could be derivated from animal sources and therefore non-vegan.
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What Are Food Additives?
Even foods that are considered healthy can contain additives.
In fact, almost all products that contain nutritional labels have some sort of additives. Most of them are completely safe, and the majority are vegan-friendly but there are also a number of additives that aren’t vegan-friendly.
The role of additives is to improve food flavor, its shelf life, or to improve products’ appearance or texture.
List of (Potentially) Non-Vegan Additives
In the table below, you can find the list of additives that aren’t vegan or could be non-vegan-friendly.
It consists of 64 e-numbers, marked with red and orange color; red additives are almost always or always derivated from animal sources, while additives marked with orange color could be derivated from animal products.
Finally, if the e-number (food additive) you’re looking for is not listed below, it’s vegan-friendly.
If you’re looking for a guide on how to tell if a certain product is vegan, we’ve got you covered: read our article that explains how to know if a product is vegan.
| E-Number | Name | Vegan | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| E120 | Cochineal/Carminic Acid/Carmines | Also known as Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines E120 is most commonly found as a red food coloring in drinks, biscuits, sweets, desserts, and sauces. It is unsuitable for vegetarians and vegans, as it is derived from the cochineal insect. | |
| E124 | Ponceau 4R/Cochineal Red A | Well, E124 is generally made from synthetic compounds that don’t involve or entail animal exploitation or animal-derived ingredients to be used. However sometimes E124 is made from Cochineal Red A, via crushed beetles, so if you see that in the ingredient list then it’s not vegan-friendly. Ultimately it may or may not be vegan-friendly, so if you want to be safe avoid it — but generally it is vegan-friendly. Just not always — in candy it’s often non-vegan, in other things it generally is. | |
| E153 | Vegetable Carbon (Charcoal) | “E153 is a food-coloring agent used in few foods and products, and can be derived from many origins, including non-vegan ones. Vegans should be wary of consuming certain foods as a result. The reason being is not just E153, also known as “Carbon Black” potentially non-vegan, but also because it’s potentially toxic to humans (and arguably most mammals at least). We’ll go over that below.” | |
| E161g | Canthaxanthin | Yellow coloring; Derived from a plant usually but may come from crustaceans and fish | |
| E252 | Potassium nitrate | Saltpetre is usually assumed to be of natural origins but it can be artificially manufactured from waste animal matter. Potassium nitrate is often found in smoked-type cheeses – so even if the cheese contains vegetable rennet and not animal rennet, it may contain potassium nitrate made from animal waste, so check with the cheese manufacturer to determine the source of the potassium nitrate. | |
| E270 | Lactic acid | “Lac” ingredients are usually produced by a fermentation process using cornstarch or beet sugar, however, in some cases, whey or yogurt may be used. | |
| E304 | Ascorbyl palmitate/ascorbyl stearate | Combination of palmitate and ascorbic acid. Palmitic acid is made from fat. Usually vegan friendly but the palmitic acid may be obtained from animal fat. | |
| E322 | Lecithins | Can be soy or egg lecithin. Egg lecithin is not vegan-friendly but soy lecithin is. | |
| E325 | Sodium lactate | Sodium salt of lactic acid. May be derived from milk. | |
| E326 | Potassium lactate | Potassium salt of lactic acid. May be derived from milk. | |
| E327 | Calcium lactate | Potassium salt of lactic acid. May be derived from milk. | |
| E415 | Xanthan gum | From fermentation of corn sugar and bacteria or from whey. Animal-derived enzymes may be used in the processing stages. | |
| E430 | Polyoxyethylene(8) stearate | Produced from ethylene oxide and stearic acid. May be of animal origins. | |
| E431 | Polyoxyethylene(40) stearate | These polymers of ethylene glycol are usually obtained from plant sources, but sometimes from animal sources. | |
| E432 | Polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan monolaurate | These polymers of ethylene glycol are usually obtained from plant sources, but sometimes from animal sources. | |
| E433 | Polyoxyethylene-20-sorbitan mono-oleate | These polymers of ethylene glycol are usually obtained from plant sources, but sometimes from animal sources. | |
| E434 | Polyoxythylene-20-sorbitan monopalmitate | These polymers of ethylene glycol are usually obtained from plant sources, but sometimes from animal sources. | |
| E435 | Polyoxythylene-20-sorbitan monostearate | These polymers of ethylene glycol are usually obtained from plant sources, but sometimes from animal sources. | |
| E436 | Polyoxythylene-20-sorbitan tristearate | These polymers of ethylene glycol are usually obtained from plant sources, but sometimes from animal sources. | |
| E441 | Gelatin | From animal by-products (bones, hides). Recently re-classified as food, not an additive. | |
| E442 | Ammonium phosphatides | Produced from glycerol, which may or may not be vegan friendly depending on how it, in turned, was produced. | |
| E445 | Ammonium phosphatides | Produced from glycerol, which may or may not be vegan friendly depending on how it, is turned, was produced. | |
| E470 | Fatty acid salts | Derived mainly from plant origin but animal fats may be used. Typically found in chewing gum, cake mixes, and oven chips. | |
| E471 | Mono and di-glycerides of fatty acids | Mainly from plant origin but animal fats may be used. Found in margarines, crisps, bread, and dairy-free spread. | |
| E472 | Esters of mono and di-glycerides | The fats are usually sourced from plants but animal fats may be used. Used as emulsifiers, stabilizers, thickeners, and gelling agents in products such as sausages, cakes, and mousse mixes. | |
| E473 | Sugar esters of fatty acids | The fats are obtained mainly from plant origin but animal fats may be used. Found in some ice cream, tea, and coffee powder drinks with added dairy powder and baking mixes. | |
| E474 | Sugar glycerides | The fats are mainly sourced from plant origin but animal fats may be used. Typical products include non-alcoholic drinks, bakery products, and ice cream. | |
| E475 | Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids | A combination of polyglycerol and natural fats. The fats are usually obtained from plant origin but sometimes animal fats may be used. Found in icing, cake mixes, ice cream, and coffee whiteners. | |
| E477 | Propyleneglycol esters of fatty acids | A combination of propanediol and natural fats. The fats are mainly of plant origin but fats of animal origin may be used. Found in cakes and whipped toppings, soft drinks, and powdered desserts. | |
| E478 | Mixture of glycerol and propyleneglycol esters of lactic acid and fatty acids | Although mainly vegetable oils are used, the use of animal fat (incl. pork) can not be excluded. | |
| E479 | Esterified soy oil | Made by heating soy oil in the presence of free fatty acids. The fatty acids are usually of plant origin but fats from animals may be used. Provides excellent frying and anti-spattering properties and is used for frying purposes. | |
| E481 | Sodium stearoyl lactate | An emulsifier used as an ingredient in some breads and bakery goods. E481 is made from lactic acid and stearic acid. The lactic acid used is made by fermentation of sugars and is vegan (no commercial forms of lactic acid are made from dairy milk). Stearic acid is often derived from palm fat but can be derived from animal fat that is of slaughter origin. | |
| E482 | Calcium stearoyl lactate | A combination of calcium, stearic acid, and lactic acid, resulting in a mixture of several components. The original source of stearic acid can be plant or animal. Found in breads, hot drink whiteners, and low-fat spreads. | |
| E483 | Stearyl tartrate | A combination of stearyl acid and tartaric acid. The origin of stearic acid can be plant or animal fats. Often used as a dough strengthener in breads. | |
| E484 | Stearylcitrate | Although mainly vegetable oils are used, the use of animal fat (incl. pork) can not be excluded. Several groups, such as vegans, Muslims, and Jews thus avoid these products. Only the producer can give detailed information on the origin of the fatty acids. Chemically the fatty acids from vegetable or animal origin are identical. | |
| E485 | Gelatin | From animal bones. Since the BSE crisis is mainly from pork, other animal bones are used. | |
| E491 | Sorbitane mono stearate | Produced from sorbitol and varying acids. These are fatty acids derived from vegetable or animal origin. Used in cakes and fat spreads. | |
| E492 | Sorbitane tri stearate | Produced from sorbitol and varying acids. These are fatty acids derived from vegetable or animal origin. Used in cakes and fat spreads. | |
| E493 | Sorbitane mono laurate | Produced from sorbitol and varying acids. These are fatty acids derived from vegetable or animal origin. Used in cakes and fat spreads. | |
| E495 | Sorbitate mono palmitate | Produced from sorbitol and varying acids. These are fatty acids derived from vegetable or animal origin. Used in cakes and fat spreads. | |
| E526 | Calcium hydroxide | Commonly derived from natural salt and limestone but may also be derived from sea shells | |
| E542 | Edible bone phosphate | made from bones | |
| E570 | Stearic acid | Which include stearic, palmitic and oleic acid. A normal part of any natural fat. Although commercially prepared using plant sources, the use of animal fat is possible. Typically found in chewing gum, butter, cosmetics, and medicines. | |
| E571 | Ammonium stearate | May be from animal fat. | |
| E572 | Magnesium stearate | May be from animal fat. | |
| E573 | Aluminium stearate | May be from animal fat. | |
| E626 | Guanylic acid | Natural acid that is generally from yeast but can also be from fish | |
| E627 | Sodium guanylate | Natural acid that is generally from yeast but can also be from fish | |
| E628 | Di-potassium guanylate | May be from fish. | |
| E629 | Calcium guanylate | May be from fish | |
| E630 | Inosinic acid | Natural acid. Commercially from meat or fish. | |
| E631 | Sodium inosinate | The sodium salt of inosinate, a naturally occurring acid mainly present in animals. Commercially prepared using meat or fish. May also be produced by bacterial fermentation of sugars. Used in soups, sauces, and snack foods. | |
| E632 | Di-potassium inosinate | Generally from meat or fish. | |
| E633 | Calcium inosinate | Generally from meat or fish. | |
| E634 | Calcium ribonucleotides | Generally from meat or fish. | |
| E635 | Di-sodium ribonucleotides | A mixture of sodium salts of guanylic and inosinic acid. Guanylic and inosinates are generally produced from meat or fish. Can be produced using vegetable and yeast sources. Used as a flavor enhancer, including snack foods, tomato-based products, and other common processed foods. | |
| E636 | Maltol | Natural compound from tree bark or malt. Commercially sometimes produced from milk (lactose). | |
| E637 | Ethymaltol | Produced from maltol and therefore from milk | |
| E640 | Glycine and sodium glycinate | Natural amino acid. Generally from gelatin. | |
| E901 | Beeswax | Purified from naturally produced honeycomb. Found in glazing agents, candles, jellies, chewing gum, and cosmetics, such as lip products and hand creams. | |
| E920 | L-cysteine hydrochloride | Essential amino acid derived from proteins, synthetically produced, through natural fermentation, or enzymic processes, using raw materials of vegetable origin or pure organic, non-animal, compounds. May also be derived from animal hair and feathers. Used in baking to create stretchier doughs, especially for burger buns and pizza bases. |
Conclusion
Additives are substances added to food to improve its flavor, shelf life, or to improve products’ appearance or texture.
The vast majority of additives are completely safe to eat, but many of them might not be plant-based, and therefore not suitable for vegans and people who follow a plant-based diet.
While some foods and ingredients are easy to replace, for example, there are many vegan egg substitutes, e-numbers are more tricky.
This list is created to help you better understand if a product is vegan-friendly or not.
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