Food additives explained

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

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

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 and UK with a children's warning and not permitted in the US. Despite one of its names it has nothing to do with 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

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