Source: https://verify-veg.com/blog/e-numbers-vegan-list/
Language: en

# E-Numbers: The Complete Vegan & Vegetarian Cheat Sheet

European labels code additives as E-numbers, and a handful of those codes are animal-derived. This
cheat sheet splits them into always-avoid, check-the-source, and usually-vegan. Here is the full
list.

> **Key Takeaways**
> - The always-animal E-numbers: E120 (carmine), E441 (gelatin), E904 (shellac), E901 (beeswax), E1105 (lysozyme).
> - The ambiguous ones: E322 (lecithin), E471 (mono- and diglycerides), E631 and E635 (flavor enhancers).
> - Most other E-numbers are plant-based or synthetic.
> - A scanner reads the codes and flags the animal-derived ones against your diet.

**TL;DR: A handful of E-numbers are animal-derived: the big ones are E120 (carmine, from
insects), E441 (gelatin), E904 (shellac), E901 (beeswax) and E1105 (lysozyme, from egg). Many
others are plant-based or "check the source" (E322, E471, E631).**

E-numbers are standardized additive codes used on EU and UK labels. Here's how to sort them by
diet.

## Always avoid (animal-derived)

| E-number | Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| E120 | Carmine / cochineal | Crushed cochineal insects (red dye) |
| E441 | Gelatin | Animal skin & bones |
| E542 | Edible bone phosphate | Animal bones |
| E901 | Beeswax | Bees |
| E904 | Shellac | Lac insect secretion (glaze) |
| E913 | Lanolin | Sheep's wool |
| E920 / E921 | L-cysteine / L-cystine | Often human hair or feathers (sometimes synthetic: check) |
| E966 | Lactitol | Dairy |
| E1105 | Lysozyme | Egg white |

## Check the source (can be animal OR plant)

| E-number | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| E322 | Lecithin | Usually soy; can be egg |
| E422 | Glycerol / glycerin | Plant, animal or synthetic |
| E471 | Mono- & 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 |
| E626-E635 | Flavor enhancers | E631/E635 can come from meat, fish or yeast |

## Usually vegan (plant / mineral / microbial)

E100 (curcumin), E140 (chlorophyll), E150 (caramel), E160a (carotene), E162 (beetroot red),
E300 (vitamin C), E306-E309 (vitamin E), E330 (citric acid), E406 (agar), E407 (carrageenan),
E410 (locust bean gum), E412 (guar gum), E414 (gum arabic), E415 (xanthan gum), E440 (pectin),
E500-E504 (carbonates), E551 (silica).

## How to be sure

The fastest way is to **scan the product**: the Verify Veg app reads the label and flags any
ingredient that doesn't match your diet: including the E-numbers above.

**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. Additive
sources can vary by manufacturer: always confirm with the brand or vendor.*