Profiles of 436 food additives — their names, INS/E numbers, how they work, and what we know about safety
Food additives are not the enemy. They keep food attractive, stable and safe, and make a varied diet possible year-round. This encyclopedia is keyed to INS/E numbers and lays out each additive's names, function, source, uses and what we know about its safety — so you can form an evidence-based view.
A food additive is any substance added intentionally during processing to improve a food's colour, flavour, texture or shelf life. Each must pass safety evaluation and regulatory approval, and they fall into families such as colours, preservatives, antioxidants, sweeteners, emulsifiers and thickeners. Knowing the function is the first step to reading an ingredients list without fear.
| INS | Name | In a nutshell |
|---|---|---|
| INS100 | curcumins | The golden pigment of turmeric — a natural colour with a thousand-year culinary heritage. |
| INS200 | sorbic acid | A preservative first found in berries that gently stops mould and yeast. |
| INS202 | potassium sorbate | The potassium salt of sorbic acid, one of the most widely used mild preservatives. |
| INS210 | benzoic acid | Occurs naturally in berries and cinnamon; a staple preservative for acidic foods. |
| INS211 | sodium benzoate | The sodium salt of benzoic acid, the everyday preservative in drinks and sauces. |
| INS300 | ascorbic acid | Vitamin C itself — at once a nutrient and a trusted antioxidant. |
| INS330 | citric acid | The tang of citrus fruit, also busy keeping flavour and colour stable. |
| INS951 | aspartame | Aspartame, a high-intensity sweetener roughly 200 times sweeter than sugar. |
Use the search box at the top to find any additive in seconds. The language menu at the top right switches between the Chinese and English editions. Browse by function, or open the full list, to reach any individual profile.
The information here is for discussion and education only. It is not medical advice, nor an evaluation or rating of any product or ingredient. It may not apply to you; before acting on it, consult the manufacturer, vendor or a qualified professional. Using this information is entirely at your own risk.