E-Number Food Color Additives You Should Know About

E-Number Food Color Additives You Should Know About: Full Guide to E-Number Food Color Additives: What They Are, Where They’re Found, and How They Affect Your Health.

Author: Kwamzworld Health & Fitness Hub

🔥 Introduction: What Exactly Are E-Number Food Colors?

Food today is brighter, bolder, and more colorful than ever before. But behind those attractive colors lies a system of codes known as E-numbers—labels used in Europe and many countries to identify food additives, especially colors.

On Kwamzworld, we care about clean, research-based health information. So, we created this complete, easy-to-understand guide to help you identify which color additives are safe, which ones to watch, and which ones might harm your body.

Here is a A complete guide to E-number food color additives (E100–E199). Learn what each additive is, the foods they appear in, and their possible health effects. Stay informed and protect your health with this in-depth Kwamzworld analysis.

Let’s break down every E-number color from E100 to E199—including where they’re found and their effects on your health.

🌿E100–E109: Natural Yellow Colorants-E-Number Food Color Additives You Should Know About

E100 – Curcumin

• Found in: Mustard, rice mixes, soups
• Health: Anti-inflammatory; high intake may upset stomach

E101 – Riboflavins-E-Number Food Color Additives You Should Know About

• Found in: Cheese, cereals, baby foods
• Health: Safe; extra may turn urine bright yellow

E102 – Tartrazine

• Found in: Soft drinks, jellies, candies
• Health: May cause hyperactivity and allergies

E104 – Quinoline Yellow

• Found in: Drinks, sauces
• Health: Behavioral concerns; banned in US & Japan

E107 – Yellow 2G-E-Number Food Color Additives You Should Know About

• Found in: Rare today, formerly drinks
• Health: Allergy risks; fully banned in EU

🟠 E110–E129: Synthetic Orange, Red & Yellow Dyes

E110 – Sunset Yellow

• Found in: Chips, jellies, cereals
• Health: Hyperactivity concerns & rare allergies

E111 – Orange GGN (banned)

E120 – Carmine (Natural Red 4)

• Found in: Yogurt, juices, candies
• Health: Strong allergen for some individuals

E121 – Citrus Red 2

• Found in: Orange peel dye
• Health: Carcinogenic concerns; heavily restricted

E122 – Carmoisine

• Found in: Jams, cakes
• Health: Linked to hyperactivity

E123 – Amaranth

• Found in: Drinks, dessert toppings
• Health: Carcinogenic concerns; banned in US

E124 – Ponceau 4R

• Found in: Bakery, canned fruits
• Health: Allergy & behavior concerns

E127 – Erythrosine

• Found in: Candied cherries
• Health: Thyroid issues at high doses

E128 – Red 2G (banned)

E129 – Allura Red

• Found in: Drinks, cereals, gummies
• Health: May affect child behavior

🔵 E130–E150: Blues, Greens, Browns & Blacks

E131 – Patent Blue V

• Found in: Candies, desserts
• Health: Allergic reactions in sensitive people

E132 – Indigo Carmine

• Found in: Ice cream, drinks
• Health: Mild allergy risk

E133 – Brilliant Blue

• Found in: Beverages, popsicles
• Health: Generally safe within limits

E140 – Chlorophyll

• Found in: Mint sweets, supplements
• Health: Very safe

E141 – Chlorophyll–Copper Complex

• Found in: Cheese, canned peas
• Health: Safe; caution for liver-sensitive individuals

E142 – Green S

• Found in: Sweets, canned peas
• Health: Allergy concerns; banned in US/Japan

E150a–E150d – Caramel Colors

• Found in: Sodas, sauces, coffee drinks
• Health: E150d may contain 4-MEI (carcinogenic in high levels)

E151 – Brilliant Black BN

• Found in: Licorice, desserts
• Health: Allergy risk; restricted in several countries

E153 – Vegetable Carbon

• Found in: Black breads, ice creamE160–E170: Natural Carotenoids & Colorants
• Health: May reduce absorption of medications

❤️E160–E170: Natural Carotenoids & Colorants-E-Number Food Color Additives You Should Know About

E160a – Beta-Carotene

• Found in: Margarine, juices
• Health: Safe; supplements risky for smokers

E160b – Annatto

• Found in: Cheese, snacks
• Health: Can cause rare allergic reactions

E160c – Paprika Extract

• Found in: Meats, soups
• Health: Safe; anti-inflammatory

E160d – Lycopene

• Found in: Tomato-based foods
• Health: Powerful antioxidant

E161a–E161g – Xanthophylls

• Found in: Eggs, fish feed, margarine
• Health: Safe; canthaxanthin supplements may affect eyes

E162 – Beetroot Red

• Found in: Ice cream, yogurt
• Health: Safe; pink urine possible

E163 – Anthocyanins

• Found in: Berries, drinks
• Health: Beneficial antioxidant

E170 – Calcium Carbonate

• Found in: Chewing gum, hard sweets
• Health: Safe

⚠️ E171 – Titanium Dioxide (The Controversial One)

Found in:

Chewing gum, white icing, candies, sauces, chocolates

Health Effects: E-Number Food Color Additives You Should Know About

• Possible DNA damage
• May accumulate in organs
• Banned in the EU since 2021
• Still allowed in the U.S.

This is the most criticized additive in modern food safety discussions.

⚪E172–E175: Metallic Colorants-E-Number Food Color Additives You Should Know About

E172 – Iron Oxides

• Found in: Chocolate coatings, bakery decorations
• Health: Mostly safe

E173 – Aluminum

• Found in: Confectionery decorations
• Health: Neurotoxicity at high levels

E174 – Silver

• Found in: Luxury desserts
• Health: Overuse may cause argyria (blue-gray skin)

E175 – Gold

• Found in: Chocolate, luxury pastries
• Health: Safe at decorative levels

🔴 E180 – Lithol Rubine BK

• Found in: Cheese rinds
• Health: Minor allergies; banned in some regions

📌 Summary: Which E-Numbers Should You Limit?

To protect your health:

Be cautious with:

• E102, E110, E122, E123, E124, E129 → linked to hyperactivity
• E127 → thyroid concerns
• E150d → possible carcinogenic byproducts
• E171 → banned in EU for safety concerns

Safe and natural choices:

• E100, E101, E140, E160 series, E162, E163

Best rule of thumb:

The more colorful and processed a food is, the more likely it contains synthetic dyes.