Additives are commonly supplemented to food as they for example extend shelf life, replace or restore colour or give food a sweet taste without use of beet sugar. Additives used in each product shall be declared on its packaging. Each additive must be stated by its full name or an international E code in a descending sequence according to the amount contained in the food. All states of the European Union use the same E code numbering system. On food labels must be in addition to the name or code of E given the name of the category to which the additive belongs. Some additives fall by purpose into more than one category.
| Code | Material | Categories | CEFF approved |
|---|---|---|---|
| E 235 | Natamycin | preservatives |
 No
|
| E 239 | Hexamethylene tetramine | preservatives |
No
|
| E 242 | Dimethyl dicarbonate | preservatives |
No
|
| E 249 | Potassium nitrite | preservatives, stabilisers |
No
|
| E 250 | Sodium nitrite | preservatives, stabilisers |
No
|
| E 251 | Sodium nitrate | preservatives, stabilisers |
No
|
| E 252 | Potassium nitrate | preservatives, stabilisers |
No
|
| E 260 | Acetic acid | preservatives, acidity regulators |
 Yes
|
| E 261 | Potassium acetate | preservatives, acidity regulators |
Yes
|
| E 262 | Sodium acetate | preservatives, acidity regulators, sequestrant |
Yes
|
| E 263 | Calcium acetate | preservatives, acidity regulators, stabilisers, thickeners, firming agent |
Yes
|
| E 270 | Lactic acid | flavour enhancers, carriers, acidity regulators, solvents |
Yes
|
| E 280 | Propionic acid | preservatives |
No
|
| E 281 | Sodium propionate | preservatives |
No
|
| E 282 | Calcium propionate | preservatives |
No
|
| E 283 | Potassium propionate | preservatives |
No
|
| E 284 | Boric acid | preservatives |
No
|
| E 285 | Sodium tetraborate; borax | preservatives |
No
|
| E 290 | Carbon dioxide | packaging gases, acidity regulators, solvents |
Yes
|
| E 296 | Malic acid | flavour enhancers, acidity regulators |
Yes
|