Melissa Urban Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 While working on The Whole30 book edits for our UK publisher, I began researching E numbers that would rule a product out on the Whole30. (Boy, your labeling isn't anywhere near as easy to translate with all these codes!) I thought you might find these helpful. Note, I can't say for certain these are 100% of the E numbers to avoid. These are just the ones I researched with respect to specific off-plan ingredients. Feel free to post your own resources, or to request that I add to this list with other additives you discover in your own research. Here is a list of E numbers you'd want to avoid on the Whole30, as these codes refer to either carrageenan, sulfites, or MSG: E150b Caustic sulphite caramel E150d Sulphite ammonia caramel E220 Sulphur dioxide E221 Sodium sulphite E222 Sodium hydrogen sulphite E223 Sodium metabisulphite E224 Potassium metabisulphite E226 Calcium sulphite E227 Calcium hydrogen sulphite E228 Potassium hydrogen sulphite E407 Carrageenan E620 Glutamic acid E621 Monosodium glutamate E622 Monopotassium glutamate E623 Calcium diglutamate E624 Monoammonium glutamate E625 Magnesium diglutamate Here is a list of E numbers you'd want to avoid on the Whole30, as these codes refer to added sweeteners (natural, artificial, or sugar alcohols): E420 Sorbitol - Sugar Alcohol E421 Mannitol - Sugar Alcohol E422 Glycerol - Sugar Alcohol E950 Acesulfame K - Artificial Sweetener E951 Aspartame - Artificial Sweetener E952 Cyclamate - Artificial Sweetener E953 Isomalt - Sugar Alcohol E954 Saccharin - Artificial Sweetener E955 Sucralose - Artificial Sweetener E956 Alitame - Artificial Sweetener E957 Thaumatin - Natural Sweetener E958 Glycyrrhizin - Natural Sweetener E959 Neohesperidin DC - Artificial Sweetener E960 Stevioside - Natural Sweetener E961 Neotame - Artificial Sweetener E962 Aspartame-acesulfame Salt - Artificial Sweetener E965 Maltitol - Sugar Alcohol E966 Lactitol - Sugar Alcohol E967 Xylitol - Sugar Alcohol E968 Erythritol - Sugar Alcohol 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oddmolly Posted January 21, 2015 Share Posted January 21, 2015 This list is also very helpful in China and Japan where there are many UK branded products in the stores geared toward foreigners and higher end shoppers (and there is little or no translation). Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HealthCreators Posted January 24, 2015 Share Posted January 24, 2015 Thanks, this is very helpful... I usually avoid all E-numbers while doing a Whole 30! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AwksIrishGirl Posted January 25, 2015 Share Posted January 25, 2015 Thanks, this is very helpful... I usually avoid all E-numbers while doing a Whole 30! Yeah, are any e numbers okay on Whole30, or for general feel-good-paleo-eating? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mary Carmosino Beougher Posted January 27, 2015 Share Posted January 27, 2015 Are these specific to the UK? I'm moving to the Netherlands in 2 weeks and was wondering about food labeling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsWeerts Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 Are these specific to the UK? I'm moving to the Netherlands in 2 weeks and was wondering about food labeling. I moved from the Uk to Belgium last year, and I do my food shopping across the border in the Netherlands, they use E numbers too. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CatherineD Posted February 1, 2015 Share Posted February 1, 2015 Hi, this list is a great help but I'm confused about one E number - Ascorbic Acid E300, is this ok? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HealthCreators Posted March 30, 2015 Share Posted March 30, 2015 Hi Catherine,Today I read this article http://whole30.com/2015/03/label-reading/The answer to your question is there:"There are other additives (like guar gum or citric acid) that are generally safe for most, but may effect very sensitive individuals. Still other additives sound scary (like ascorbic acid), but are actually totally benign… that’s just the science-y name for vitamin C." 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGoy1987 Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 This is really helpful! I had a mild Monday morning meltdown as I realised all the coconut milk brands I've so far used contain various E numbers, but couldn't work out what the numbers meant. And all the suggestions for compliant brands on the forum gave US names that are unavailable here. So, for anyone in the UK looking for totally compliant coconut milk, I'd recommend Biona Organic coconut milk. You'll have to hunt it down at a Whole Foods or health food shop, as the popular supermarkets seem to only stock brands that are non-compliant (including Pride, Cocofresh, Mai Thai, Blue Dragon, Dunn's River, Island Sun and supermarket's own brand. I'd say steer clear of these.) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcbn Posted June 29, 2015 Share Posted June 29, 2015 This is really helpful! I had a mild Monday morning meltdown as I realised all the coconut milk brands I've so far used contain various E numbers, but couldn't work out what the numbers meant. And all the suggestions for compliant brands on the forum gave US names that are unavailable here. So, for anyone in the UK looking for totally compliant coconut milk, I'd recommend Biona Organic coconut milk. You'll have to hunt it down at a Whole Foods or health food shop, as the popular supermarkets seem to only stock brands that are non-compliant (including Pride, Cocofresh, Mai Thai, Blue Dragon, Dunn's River, Island Sun and supermarket's own brand. I'd say steer clear of these.) Actually Blue Dragon is fine - there are no off plan ingredients added, it's just not the best option. Not sure on the price of Biona, but you could also go for this option on Amazon which is purely coconut extract & water next time you're ordering you're coconut oil (I've found it's the cheapest place to get it) and get free postage.... 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RGoy1987 Posted July 1, 2015 Share Posted July 1, 2015 Actually Blue Dragon is fine - there are no off plan ingredients added, it's just not the best option. Not sure on the price of Biona, but you could also go for this option on Amazon which is purely coconut extract & water next time you're ordering you're coconut oil (I've found it's the cheapest place to get it) and get free postage.... Thanks for clarifying. Biona's definitely a little pricier. TRS was a household brand as I was growing up, and readily available in the Indian shops in my hometown of Wembley, so that's good to know! Will stock up next time I visit the parents :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 What about E433? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcbn Posted September 23, 2015 Share Posted September 23, 2015 E433 is an emulsifier - so it might be used in the likes of mayo to prevent it from separating, and is in general derived from vegetable oil. It *may* contain a type of sugar alcohol....What are you seeing it in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Visolela Posted November 2, 2015 Share Posted November 2, 2015 For those who were wondering these aren't just for the UK. They apply to most of Europe and other parts of the world as well. For example, these numbers are also used (sometimes) in Brazil. They are used on products that are made here - not just imports, however - I would recommend having these numbers on your cellphone to consult if necessary, especially if you are shopping in stores with imports even if you are in the US. For those wondering about different E numbers not on Melissa`s list and whether they can/can't wikipedia has a complete list you can use as reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_number 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieholger Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 I'm staring down a packet of bacon with e252 and e250, but guessing from this thread that this is ok to get! Thanks guys - just starting out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laura_juggles Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 I'm staring down a packet of bacon with e252 and e250, but guessing from this thread that this is ok to get! Thanks guys - just starting out! Those E numbers are for nitrates/nitrites which are acceptable. If you can find one without them though... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7perfected Posted July 26, 2016 Share Posted July 26, 2016 is there a list this specific written for ingredients here in America? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators ladyshanny Posted July 26, 2016 Administrators Share Posted July 26, 2016 The list for the western countries (Canada/US) is the rules list. No added sweeteners, no grains, dairy, alcohol, legumes etc. You can look at the Sneaky Sugars list and the Common Additives list but beyond that it's really just a matter of reading the ingredients. The list for the UK was developed because it's numbers rather than words so difficult/impossible to know what you're getting. In Canada and the US, our ingredient lists are all written out in words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeRT Posted December 9, 2016 Share Posted December 9, 2016 Just my two cents - that "numbers" situation would downright make me pull my hair out. I'm sure it's helpful to get a list like this. ☺️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaylee1 Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 Hi, I have a package of turkey , on the list of ingredients it has E1420 and E452. Are these compliant? Also, another question- I have "spices" listed as an ingredient, for example on a can of pickles. Is that okay? thanks so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmcbn Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 30 minutes ago, Kaylee1 said: E1420 and E452 E1420 is potato starch and is fine, as is E452 which is an emulsifier. 'Spices' should be fine on your pickles - they'd have to list out in bold any allergens (which covers most of what we're excluding here), as well as any added sugars etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaylee1 Posted May 31, 2017 Share Posted May 31, 2017 wow that was a quick answer thank you! I am going through my pantry and freezer now, getting geared up for a start in a few hours . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SchrodingersCat Posted May 16, 2020 Share Posted May 16, 2020 Hello! Currently wondering about E435 - Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate http://www.food-info.net/uk/e/e435.htm It's not on the list, but says it's derived from sorbitol. Would that make it non-compliant? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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