About E Numbers
An application of the magazines Bon à Savoir and K-Tipp
Food is increasingly « completed » with additives (colorants, conservatives, firming agents, flavor enhancers, etc.) often indicated on the labels, but sometimes in coded form: an E, followed by a number between 3 and 4 digits. Thus, the flavor enhancers, in certain soups, identified as E 621, E 627 and E 631 on the packaging have the following translation (which you will not find on the label): they are respectively, glutamate, guanylate and sodium inosinate. All three can trigger allergic reactions, asthma and are thus not recommended to people sensitive to them: you will not find the latter information on the label either!
Our application will allow you to decode what the industry is trying to hide from you, by not only informing you of the risks and eventual contra-indications for people on a special diet (vegetarian, gluten, etc), but also by explaining the use of each additive and in which foods they are often used.
This is the result of summary work conducted by our editors with the help of ten carefully documented and much diversified sources. From them, we have extracted and gathered information, which is clearly referenced in the application, and noted each additive according to the following criteria:
- Safe: no source indicates a risk
- Some doubts: at least one source refers to a risk.
- Substantial risks: several sources indicate the same risks.
- To be avoided: a majority of sources recommend that this additive be avoided.
- No risk info: the sources give insufficient information or none at all on the risks.
On the other hand, for each additive, we indicate if it is authorized or not in Switzerland and in the European Community. Please note that for the latter, the exhaustive list of authorized products will definitively complete the appropriate regulations (CE1333/2008) only towards the end of 2011. In the meantime, as related directives 94/36 and 95/2 are applicable in each member state, we have relied on these.
Rights and responsibilities:
"The Editions Plus Sàrl as well as Konsumenteninfo AG decline all responsibility for any type of damages that could be caused in relation to the access or the use of this application."
info@bonasavoir.ch
© Editions Plus Sàrl, CP150, 1001 Lausanne, Suisse.
by Z####:
Much better than many others, but fails utterly on many substances like aspartame, which it claims is safe. How can you trust it when it doesn't contain most accurate proven info on dangers of most widely spread E-substances. Only the official propaganda on some important substances is included. Not worth the price Really sad.