Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/animal-derived-e-numbers/
Language: en

# Animal-Derived E-Numbers: The Quick Reference List

European labels code additives as E-numbers, and a handful of those codes are animal-derived. This
is the short list to keep handy when you are reading a label and want to know whether an additive
is vegan or vegetarian.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - The always-animal E-numbers: E120 (carmine), E441 (gelatin), E542 (bone phosphate), E901 (beeswax), E904 (shellac), E1105 (lysozyme).
> - The ambiguous ones: E322 (lecithin), E422 (glycerol), E471 (mono- and diglycerides), E631 and E635 (flavor enhancers).
> - A scanner reads the E-numbers and flags the animal-derived ones against your diet.

**TL;DR: A short list of E-numbers are animal-derived, and a second list are ambiguous.** Save both
lists, or let a scanner check the label for you.

## Always animal-derived

These E-numbers are animal products by definition:

| E-number | Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| E120 | Carmine / cochineal | Cochineal insects |
| E441 | Gelatin | Animal skin and bones |
| E542 | Edible bone phosphate | Animal bones |
| E901 | Beeswax | Bees |
| E904 | Shellac | Lac insect |
| E913 | Lanolin | Sheep wool |
| E920 / E921 | L-cysteine / L-cystine | Often hair or feathers (sometimes synthetic) |
| E966 | Lactitol | Dairy |
| E1105 | Lysozyme | Egg white |

If one of these is on the label, the product is not vegan, and most are not vegetarian either.

## Ambiguous (plant or animal)

These E-numbers can come from either source, and the label will not tell you which:

| E-number | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E322 | Lecithin | Usually soy, sometimes egg |
| E422 | Glycerol / glycerin | Plant, animal or synthetic |
| E471 | Mono- and diglycerides | Plant or animal fat |
| E472a-f | Fatty-acid esters | Plant or animal |
| E475 / E476 | Polyglycerol esters | Plant or animal |
| E481 / E482 | Stearoyl lactylates | May be animal-derived |
| E631 / E635 | Flavor enhancers | Meat, fish or yeast |
| E570 | Stearic acid | Plant or animal |

For these, a "vegan" certification logo is the practical way to resolve the ambiguity.

## How to use this list

1. Scan the label for the always-animal codes first.
2. For the ambiguous ones, look for a vegan logo or contact the brand.
3. Remember that a single animal code disqualifies the whole product.
4. Scan the product. A scanner app reads the E-numbers and flags the animal-derived ones against your diet.

See our [E-numbers cheat sheet](/blog/e-numbers-vegan-list/) for the full breakdown with the
plant-based alternatives.

## The bottom line

A short list of E-numbers are animal-derived, and a second list are ambiguous. Keep both handy, or
let a scanner check the label. That is the difference between guessing and knowing on a European
label.

**Check before you eat.** The Verify Veg app scans a barcode or reads an ingredient list from a
photo and flags ingredients against your diet (vegan, vegetarian, halal, kosher, Jain and more).
[Download on the App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/verifyveg-vegan-scanner/id6758276834) -
Android is coming soon.

*Written by Samir Narain, founder of Verify Veg. Verify Veg helps people check packaged food
against their diet by scanning barcodes and reading ingredient lists from photos.*

*Note: Verify Veg provides ingredient-based compatibility checks, not certification. Ingredient
sources can vary by manufacturer, so always confirm with the brand or vendor.*