Are you looking for non-vegan E-numbers and additives that are unsuitable for vegans? Then you've come to the right place! Processed foods in particular are increasingly being provided with additives, for example to make them look more appealing, to extend their shelf life or simply to make them taste even better. Unfortunately, we now find ourselves in a confusing jungle of E-numbers and names for foods and other everyday products such as cosmetics - and unfortunately many of the added ingredients and additives are of animal origin. As long as you do not completely avoid processed foods in a vegan lifestyle, it is important to be aware of them.
In this article, I would like to provide you with a list of E-numbers that are never or only sometimes vegan. I'll also show you what vegans should pay particular attention to when it comes to food ingredients. Let's go!
Here is a brief overview for you in advance:
- What are E numbers?
- Non vegan E numbers
- E-numbers that can also be vegan
- Other non-vegan additives
- Closing words
What are E-numbers anyway?
Basically, the "E numbers" are nothing more than Designations for food additives that are (at least) authorized in the EU. The "E" stands for Europe - and the respective number has been assigned to one of the more than 300 additives that are now permitted. A significant proportion of them are considered to be questionable - but around 40 substances behind the E numbers are also permitted in Organic food allowed.
The E numbers are mainly found on the back of processed ready meals. The corresponding substances are mainly Colorants, thickeners, emulsifiers, antioxidants, flavor enhancers, sugar substitutes and preservatives. They are intended to make the products shine, make them more durable, separate ingredients from one another, ensure a pleasant consistency and sweeten the taste.
But as I said, it's a jungle that's almost impossible to navigate. So focus! Let's be clear: non-vegan E-numbers are therefore the E-numbers hiding ingredients and additives of animal origin.
Which E-numbers hide non-vegan products?
Now we move on to the specific, non-vegan E-numbers and additives. If you know them (and this article as a kind of small reference book), it will be easier for you to consume only those foods and goods that have been produced without animal suffering and, above all, without animal suffering, from the production phase to the labeling.
The The following list of E-numbers and additives of animal origin₁ was compiled by the consumer advice center. It is advisable to also know the name of the additive, as manufacturers are allowed to use the usually more harmless-sounding name in the ingredients instead of the E number.
Important notes: Please bear in mind that this list of non-vegan E-numbers from the consumer advice center does not guarantee completeness - and that some of the substances listed also exist in a vegan form. Italic I have also added the lines I wrote myself.
List of non-vegan E-numbers and additives
| E-number | Additive | Function |
|---|---|---|
| E120 | Carminic acid | Red dye |
| E132 | Indigo Carmine | Dye |
| E270 | Lactic acid | Acidifier |
| E304 | Fatty acid esters of ascorbic acid | Antioxidant |
| E322 | Lecithin | Emulsifier, antioxidant, stabilizer, flour treatment agent |
| E325 | Sodium lactate | Acidity regulator, melting salt, firming agent |
| E339 | Sodium phosphates | Antioxidant, melting salts, acidifier |
| E422 | Glycerin | Filler and humectant. |
| E434 | Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate (polysorbate 40) | Emulsifiers and complexing agents. |
| E435 E436 | Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate (polysorbate 60)Polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate (polysorbate 65) | Emulsifiers and complexing agents |
| E445 | Glycerol ester from root resin/colophonic ester | Stabilizer and opacifier. |
| E451 | Triphosphates, phosphate | Emulsifiers, stabilizers and acidity regulators |
| E452 | Polyphosphates | Emulsifiers, stabilizers and acidity regulators. |
| E470A | Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids, salts of fatty acids | Emulsifiers, carriers and foaming agents |
| E470B | Magnesium salts of fatty acids, salts of fatty acids | Emulsifier, carrier and foaming agent |
| E471 | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | Emulsifiers, coating and flour treatment agents |
| E472A | Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | Emulsifiers, coating and flour treatment agents |
| E472B | Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | Emulsifiers, foam stabilizers of flour treatment agents |
| E472C | Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | Emulsifiers, antioxidants and flour treatment agents |
| E472D | Tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | Baking emulsifiers and flour treatment agents |
| E472E | Mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | Flour treatment agents and emulsifiers |
| E472F | Mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | Baking emulsifiers and flour treatment agents |
| E473 | Sugar esters of fatty acids | Emulsifiers and flour treatment agents |
| E474 | Sugar glycerides | Emulsifiers and flour treatment agents |
| E475 | Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids | Emulsifiers and stabilizers |
| E476 | Polyglycerol polyricinoleate | Emulsifier and stabilizer |
| E477 | Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids | Emulsifiers and crystal influencers of hard fats |
| E479 | Thermo-oxidized soybean oil with mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | Emulsifiers and release agents |
| E481 E482 | Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate | Artificial emulsifier and flour treatment agent |
| E491 | Sorbitan monostearate | Emulsifier, defoamer, fat crystal influencer |
| E492 | Sorbitan tristearate | Emulsifier, defoamer, fat crystal influencer |
| E493 | Sorbitan monolaurate Sorbitan monooleate | Emulsifier, defoamer or fat crystal influencer |
| E495 | Sorbitan monopalmitate | Emulsifier |
| E542 | Bone phosphate | Anti-caking agent |
| E570 | Fatty acids, edible fatty acids | Emulsifiers, coating and release agents |
| E574 | Gluconic acid | Acidity regulator, stabilizer and complexing agent |
| E585 | Iron II lactate | Color stabilizer |
| E620 | Glutamic acid | Flavor enhancer |
| E621 | Monosodium glutamate, sodium glutamate | Flavor enhancer |
| E622 | Monopotassium glutamate, potassium glutamate | Flavor enhancer |
| E623 | Calcium diglutamate, calcium glutamate | Flavor enhancer |
| E624 | Monoammonium glutamate, ammonium glutamate | Flavor enhancer |
| E625 | Magnesium diglutamate, magnesium glutamate | Flavor enhancer |
| E634 | Calcium 5'-ribonucleotide | Flavor enhancer |
| E635 | Disodium 5'-ribonucleotide | Flavor enhancer |
| E640 | Glycine and its sodium salts | Flavor enhancer |
| E901 | Beeswax white and yellow | Release and coating agents |
| E904 | Shellac | Release and coating agents |
| E920 | L-Cysteine | Flour treatment agent |
| E966 | Lactite | Sweetener, sugar substitute and carrier |
| E1105 | Lysozyme | Preservative for hard and semi-hard cheeses and as an enzyme for all foods |
Which of the E-numbers can also be vegan?
As already briefly mentioned, some of the E-numbers listed are not necessarily "unvegan". Here I will therefore present the ingredients that can theoretically also have a plant-based origin:
- L-Cysteine (E920) can also be vegan
- Mono- and diglycerides (E471, fatty acids) can also be vegan
- Glutamic acid/sodium glutamate (E620) may be vegan
- Anthocyanins (E163) can also be vegan
- Lecithin (E322) can also be vegan
- Riboflavin (E101) can also be vegan
- Disodium Osinate (E631) can also be vegan
- Indigo Carmine (E132) can also be vegan
- …
Do you know of any other E-numbers or additives in foods that can be of both animal and plant origin?? Then just write a short comment and I'll add to the list.
Non-vegan additives without E-number
Now you know the non-vegan additives and ingredients that are hidden behind many E-numbers. However, there are a few more ingredients (but without an E number) that you need to be aware of when eating a vegan diet. vegan lifestyle should be given a wide berth.
I will also list them for you here:
- Albumin (protein)
- Flavors
- Castoreum/Castoreum
- Butterfat
- Skimmed or whole milk powder
- Ghee (clarified butter)
- Gelatine
- Honey
- Isinglass
- Casein (but can also be vegan)
- Lactose (lactose)
- Lanolin/wool wax (e.g. vitamin D3 capsules, but can also be vegan)
- Lab
- Stearic acid (but can also be vegan)
- Tallow/Talg
- Whey/Whey
- …
Notice: Even this overview is certainly not complete! If you know of any other non-vegan ingredients, please let me know in the comments.
Know and avoid non-vegan E-numbers and additives
Especially when looking at the ingredients of finished products, we often see E-numbers or the names of the corresponding additives. Many people are not aware and perhaps do not care whether they are of animal or plant origin. But if they knew that body parts or even excretions (e.g. shellac (E 904)) from animals were in a food, they would probably stop eating it.
I very much hope that this list will help you to identify non-vegan E-numbers and ingredients more quickly in future. If you are ever unsure whether a product is vegan or not, you can simply ask the manufacturer in person, by phone or by email. Living as vegan as possible is simply a constant learning process.
Do you have any questions, tips or other E-numbers and substances that should be added here? Then I look forward to hearing from you in the comments column.
Stay animal-friendly,
PS.: Under "why go vegan?" I will now explain all my personal motives for a plant-based diet and vegan lifestyle. They will make it clear to you why I make no exceptions, even when it comes to seemingly insignificant ingredients.
References:
₁ Jutta Schulte: Additives from animals (as at: 13.06.2022), available at https://verbraucherschutz.bio/bio-im-alltag/zusatzstoffe-aus-tieren. [15.06.2022].
