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E-Numbers and the Six Food Colours Warning Explained
What the Southampton study tested, its limitations, and the precise warning for six food colours.
E-numbers identify food additives. The Food Standards Agency explains that ingredient lists show an additive's function followed by its name or E-number. Additives must be assessed for safety before they can be used for their intended purpose. An E-number alone is not evidence that an ingredient is harmful. (FSA)
What did the Southampton study test?
The 2007 study by McCann and colleagues at the University of Southampton tested two mixtures of artificial food colours and the preservative sodium benzoate in children aged 3 and 8–9 years. Across the two mixtures, the additives were E102, E104, E110, E122, E124, E129 and sodium benzoate (E211). The study examined mixtures, not the separate effects of each additive. (EFSA assessment of the study)
EFSA's 2008 assessment concluded that the study provided limited evidence of a small effect on the activity and attention of some children. The effects were not consistent across the two age groups and mixtures. EFSA noted that the study could not identify which individual additive was responsible and that the clinical significance of the observed changes was unclear. These findings should not be presented as proof that every additive, or E-numbers generally, causes hyperactivity. (EFSA)
What does the warning label say?
UK government guidance lists six colours for the activity-and-attention warning. These are also the six colours named in Annex V of Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, the EU food-additives regulation; the official UK legislation copy is linked below. (UK guidance; Annex V)
- Tartrazine (E102)
- Quinoline yellow (E104)
- Sunset yellow (E110)
- Carmoisine (E122)
- Ponceau 4R (E124)
- Allura red (E129)
Annex V specifies the name or E-number of the colour(s), followed by the wording: “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children”. This is a specific warning for these six colours, not a warning required for every E-number. Sodium benzoate (E211), although included in the Southampton mixtures, is not one of the six colours covered by this particular warning. (Annex V; UK guidance)
The legal rule has exemptions: colours used for certain markings on meat or eggshells, and beverages containing more than 1.2% alcohol by volume. The linked legislation provides the full wording and scope. (Annex V)
Reading snack labels with context
Check the ingredient list for additive names or E-numbers and for any applicable warning. The FSA notes that additives can include substances also found in nature, such as ascorbic acid (vitamin C); “natural” versus “man-made” does not remove the requirement for safety evaluation. (FSA)
This article summarises public information. It is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a personalised dietary recommendation. For concerns about symptoms, allergies or dietary needs, speak to an appropriately qualified health professional.