Table 1.

Approved preservatives—E numbers, side effects, and use in food.

Type	E Numbers *	Preservatives	Side Effects	Food
Antimicrobials	E200	Sorbic acid	Urticaria and contact dermatitis, rarely [25]	Pickles, margarine, fruit juices, jams, cheese, baked goods, snacks [28]
	E202	Potassium sorbate
	E210	Benzoic acid	Skin rash, asthma, and possible brain damage [29]	High-acid foods and fruit drinks, flavored fermented milk products, fruits and vegetables, confectionery, processed fish, and fishery products [28]
	E211	Sodium benzoate
	E212	Potassium benzoate
	E213	Calcium benzoate
	E214	Ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate		Baked goods, beverages, dressings, relishes [28]
	E215	Sodium ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate
	E218	Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate
	E219	Sodium methyl p-hydroxybenzoate
Antimicrobials and antioxidants	E220	Sulfur dioxide	Asthma, urticaria, angioedema, abdominal pain, diarrhea, anaphylaxis [30]	Dried fruits and vegetables, pickled vegetables, fruit juices, sausages, cider, vinegar, wine [30]
	E221	Sodium sulfite	Headaches, palpitations, allergies, asthma, cancer [25]	Dried fruits and fruits, molasses, fried or frozen potatoes, shrimp, and lobster [28]
	E222	Sodium hydrogen sulfite
	E223	Sodium metabisulfite
	E224	Potassium metabisulfite
	E226	Calcium sulfite
	E227	Calcium hydrogen sulfite
	E228	Potassium hydrogen sulfite
Antimicrobials	E234	Nisin	Non-toxic [31]	Pasteurized, flavored, and long-life milk, processed cheese, cheese, other dairy products, canned vegetables [31]
	E235	Natamycin	Skin rash, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue [32]	Dairy products, meats, cottage cheese, sour cream, yogurt, packaged salad mix [32]
	E242	Dimethyl dicarbonate	Carcinogenesis [33]	Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks [34]
	E243	Ethyl lauroyl arginate	Non-toxic at a daily intake of 0.5 mg/kg [35]	Heat-treated meat products [35]
Antimicrobials and antioxidants	E249	Potassium nitrite	Carcinogenic effects [36]	Meat products [28]
	E250	Sodium nitrite
	E251	Sodium nitrate
	E252	Potassium nitrate
Antimicrobials	E280	Propionic acid	Non-toxic in the amounts permitted by EU regulation [37]	Bakery products, cheese, fruits [28]
	E281	Sodium propionate
	E282	Calcium propionate
	E283	Potassium propionate
	E284	Boric acid	Diarrhea and internal organ damage [37]	Sturgeon eggs (i.e., caviar) [37]
	E285	Sodium tetraborate; borax
	E1105	Lysozyme	Only in people with allergies to egg whites [37]	Cheeses [37]

* Codes used within the European Union (EU) to identify food additives.