Food additives explained

Sulphites are preservatives that must be declared as an allergen above 10 mg/kg because they can trigger asthma symptoms. They are vegan and halal.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Brilliant Blue is a synthetic blue dye, vegan and halal. It is not one of the six colours carrying the EU children's warning.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Cyclamate is a sweetener permitted in the EU and UK but banned in the United States since 1970. It is vegan and halal.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Talc is a mineral anti-caking agent, vegan and halal. The asbestos question is real, but it concerns raw-mineral contamination that food-grade talc is screened for.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Anthocyanins are red, purple, and blue colours from berries, grapes, and vegetables. They are vegan and halal, and they shift shade depending on acidity.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Dimethylpolysiloxane is a silicone anti-foaming agent used in frying oil. It is vegan and halal, and it passes through the body unabsorbed.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

E173 is metallic aluminium used as a silver surface decoration. It is vegan and halal, and its use is restricted to external decoration only.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Sorbic acid holds back mould and yeast. It is vegan and halal, and it is the free-acid form of the more common potassium sorbate.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Acetic acid is the acid in vinegar, used for sourness and preservation. It is vegan and halal, and vinegar itself is generally accepted as halal.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Glutamic acid is the amino acid that produces umami. It is made by fermentation, so it is vegan and halal, and it occurs naturally in tomatoes and cheese.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Lutein is a yellow colour from marigold petals. It is vegan and halal, and it is the same compound sold as an eye-health supplement.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Iron oxides give yellow, red, and black colours. They are vegan and halal, chemically the same family as rust, and are not absorbed by the body.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Sodium hydroxide is lye, used as a processing dip that gives pretzels their brown crust. It is vegan and halal, and it is neutralised during baking.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

E175 is metallic gold used as decoration. It is vegan and halal, chemically inert, and passes through the body entirely unchanged.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

E471 can be made from plant oils or animal fats, and the code on the pack does not say which. Only the manufacturer or a certification mark settles it.

Vegan: Depends on the maker · Vegetarian: Depends on the maker · Halal: Depends on the maker

E631 is a savoury flavour enhancer that was historically made from sardines or meat and is now often made by fermentation. The source varies by manufacturer.

Vegan: Depends on the maker · Vegetarian: Depends on the maker · Halal: Depends on the maker

MSG is made by fermenting starch or molasses, so it is normally vegan, vegetarian, and halal. The old claim that it causes headaches has not held up in controlled testing.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Gelatine is made from animal collagen, usually pig or cattle hide and bone. It is never vegan or vegetarian, and it is halal only when certified.

Vegan: No · Vegetarian: No · Halal: Depends on the maker

Carmine is a red colour extracted from cochineal insects. It is not vegan, most vegetarians avoid it, and it is not generally considered halal.

Vegan: No · Vegetarian: No · Halal: No

Lecithin is almost always from soya or sunflower and is normally vegan and halal. Egg lecithin exists but is rare in packaged food and must be declared as an allergen.

Vegan: Depends on the maker · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Shellac is a resin secreted by the lac insect, so it is not vegan. Most vegetarians avoid it, and halal opinion is divided.

Vegan: No · Vegetarian: Depends on the maker · Halal: Depends on the maker

Sodium benzoate is a synthetic preservative, vegan and halal. Combined with vitamin C it can form traces of benzene, which manufacturers now control for.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Sodium nitrite prevents botulism in cured meat and fixes its pink colour. The nitrosamine question is the one genuine additive-and-cancer issue on a label.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Tartrazine is a synthetic yellow dye. It is vegan and halal, but in the EU and UK any product containing it must warn that it may affect activity and attention in children.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Red 40 is a synthetic red dye and the most used colour in the US. It is vegan and halal, but in the EU and UK it triggers the children's activity and attention warning.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Citric acid is made by fermenting sugars with a mould, not squeezed from lemons. It is vegan, halal, and one of the least controversial additives on any label.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

E300 is vitamin C used as an antioxidant. It is vegan and halal, and it is the same molecule your body needs from food.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Potassium sorbate is a mould and yeast preservative. It is vegan and halal, and it is one of the least controversial preservatives in use.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Sucralose is a sweetener made by modifying sugar. It is vegan and halal, passes through mostly unabsorbed, and is around 600 times sweeter than sugar.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Acesulfame K is a sweetener about 200 times sweeter than sugar, almost always blended with another sweetener to hide its aftertaste. It is vegan and halal.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener and humectant. It is vegan and halal, and above set levels packs must warn it may have a laxative effect.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that reduces tooth decay and is vegan and halal. It is also acutely toxic to dogs, which is the one genuine warning attached to it.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Curcumin is the yellow colour extracted from turmeric root. It is vegan and halal, and it is one of the natural colours replacing synthetic yellows.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Annatto is a yellow-orange colour from achiote seeds. It is vegan and halal, and it is why cheddar is orange.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Sunset Yellow is a synthetic orange dye. It is vegan and halal, but EU and UK packs must warn it may affect activity and attention in children.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Carmoisine is a synthetic red dye permitted in the EU and UK with a children's warning, and not permitted in the United States. It is vegan and halal.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Ponceau 4R is a synthetic strawberry-red dye, permitted in the EU with a warning and not in the US. Despite its alternative name it is not from insects.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Quinoline Yellow is a synthetic greenish-yellow dye, permitted in EU and UK food with a children's warning but not in US food. It is vegan and halal.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Beeswax is a glazing agent made by honeybees. It is vegetarian and halal but never vegan, and it is the usual alternative to insect-derived shellac.

Vegan: No · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Carnauba wax comes from palm leaves, so it is vegan, vegetarian, and halal. It is the plant alternative to shellac and beeswax.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Malic acid is the acid that makes green apples sharp, used for tartness. It is vegan and halal and one of the least controversial additives on a label.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Glycerine can be made from plant oils or animal fats, and the code does not say which. Only a certification mark or the manufacturer settles it.

Vegan: Depends on the maker · Vegetarian: Depends on the maker · Halal: Depends on the maker

DATEM is a dough strengthener built on fatty acids that can be plant or animal derived. Like E471, the code does not reveal the source.

Vegan: Depends on the maker · Vegetarian: Depends on the maker · Halal: Depends on the maker

BHA is a synthetic antioxidant. The US National Toxicology Program lists it as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen, based on rodent studies.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

BHT is a synthetic antioxidant, vegan and halal. Unlike BHA it carries no carcinogen listing, and EFSA raised its intake limit after re-evaluating it.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

PGPR is a castor-oil-derived emulsifier that lets makers use less cocoa butter. It is normally vegan and halal, though the glycerol part can vary by maker.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Erythrosine is a synthetic pink-red dye. The FDA revoked its authorisation for use in food, with manufacturers given until 2027 to reformulate.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Beetroot Red is a pink-red colour extracted from beetroot. It is vegan and halal, and it is the plant alternative shoppers avoiding carmine are looking for.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Rosemary extract is a plant antioxidant used in place of BHA and BHT. It is vegan and halal, and it is added for shelf life rather than flavour.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Carotenes give a yellow-orange colour and convert to vitamin A. They are normally vegan and halal, though the carrier used to disperse them can vary.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Chlorophyll is the green pigment extracted from plants. It is vegan and halal, but it fades easily, which is why the copper version E141 often replaces it.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Benzoic acid is a preservative that works only in acidic foods. It is vegan and halal, and it occurs naturally in cranberries and cinnamon.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Lycopene is the red pigment in tomatoes, used as a colour. It is vegan and halal whether extracted from tomato or made by fermentation.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

E141 is chlorophyll with copper swapped in to make the green stable. It is vegan and halal, and the copper is why it carries an intake limit that plain chlorophyll does not.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Vegetable carbon is a black colour made from charred plant material. It is vegan and halal, and its real caution is that charcoal can bind medication.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Sodium nitrate is a slow-acting curing salt that bacteria convert into nitrite. It is vegan and halal, and it carries the same nitrosamine question as nitrite.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Calcium chloride is a mineral salt used to firm vegetables, set tofu, and improve cheese-making. It is vegan and halal.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

E500 covers bicarbonate of soda and washing soda, used as raising agents. They are vegan and halal, and bicarbonate is the one in your kitchen cupboard.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Potassium nitrite cures meat and controls botulism risk, the same job as sodium nitrite. It is vegan and halal in itself, and carries the same nitrosamine question.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Patent Blue V is a synthetic blue dye permitted in the EU and UK but not in US food. It is vegan and halal, and it has a documented allergy risk from medical use.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Polysorbate 60 is a synthetic emulsifier. It is gluten free, but whether it is vegan or halal depends on whether the maker used plant or animal fat.

Vegan: Depends on the maker · Vegetarian: Depends on the maker · Halal: Depends on the maker

Polysorbate 80 is a synthetic emulsifier, gluten free, with origin depending on the maker. It is the emulsifier at the centre of the gut microbiome research.

Vegan: Depends on the maker · Vegetarian: Depends on the maker · Halal: Depends on the maker

Calcium disodium EDTA is a synthetic chelator that traps trace metals so food does not discolour or go rancid. It is vegan and halal.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Erythritol is a sugar alcohol made by fermentation, vegan and halal. A 2023 study linked high blood levels to cardiovascular events, which is worth understanding properly.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Locust bean gum comes from carob tree seeds. It is vegan, halal, and gluten free, and it is a legume, which matters only for legume allergy.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Polydextrose is a synthetic soluble fibre built from glucose. It is vegan and halal, counts as fibre on the label, and is not a sugar alcohol.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Propylparaben is a preservative the EU removed from food in 2006 and the US still permits. It is vegan and halal, and the divergence is about endocrine data.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Acacia gum and gum arabic are two names for one ingredient, the dried sap of acacia trees. It is vegan, halal, and counts as dietary fibre.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Guar gum is ground guar bean, thickening cold liquids strongly. It is vegan, halal, and gluten free, and it is a legume, which matters for legume allergy.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Steviol glycosides are the sweet compounds extracted from stevia leaves. They are vegan and halal, and this is what stevia is called on a label.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes

Silicon dioxide is a mineral anti-caking agent that keeps powders flowing. It is vegan and halal, and it passes through the body largely unabsorbed.

Vegan: Yes · Vegetarian: Yes · Halal: Yes