A parent's guide to ... E - numbers

- Q. What are E-numbers?

E-numbers are codes for food additives. If a food additive has an E-number, this shows it has passed safety tests and been approved for use throughout the European Union. This approval is monitored, reviewed and amended in the light of new scientific data.

A food additive is any substance intentionally added to food for a specific function (for example, to preserve or colour it) that is not normally eaten as a food or used as a characteristic ingredient in food.

- Q. What does research say about them - are they bad for us?

All food additives, whether they are natural or artificial, must go through rigorous safety assessment and approval procedures, and must comply with European Union (EU) legislation. They are only allowed to be used if experts decide that they are necessary and safe.

Some people can react to certain additives, just as some people react to certain foods that most people can eat without any problem. People who react to additives usually have asthma or other allergies already.

Research commissioned by the Food Standards Agency suggests that if your child shows signs of hyperactivity or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), you should try to avoid giving your child the following artificial colours, because this might help improve their behaviour:

- sunset yellow (E110)

- quinoline yellow (E104)

- carmoisine (E122)

- allura red (E129)

- tartrazine (E102)

- ponceau 4R (E124).

There are many factors associated with hyperactive behaviour in children, but making sure your child eats a healthy diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, is one way of limiting their consumption of food and drink that may contain these artificial colours.

- Q. Are there additives in children's food?

No colours or sweeteners are permitted in food intended specifically for infants or young children under 36 months of age. Only a restricted number of other additives, necessary from a technological point of view and recognised as being without risk to the health of young children, are authorised in foods specifically for infants and young children. These provisions take into account the particular needs of that age group and that these specialist products may form the major part of their diet.

- Q. How can I avoid feeding my child E-numbers?

When additives are used in food, they must be declared in the list of ingredients, explaining their function - for example 'colour' plus either their name or E-number. So if you choose to avoid certain additives, you can do this by checking the label. If you buy any foods that are sold without packaging, such as in a restaurant, you will need to check with the person selling the product or with the manufacturer.

- Q. What's going to happen to E-numbers in the future?

The European Food Safety Authority is currently reviewing the safety of all food additives that are approved for use in the European Union and has started by looking at food colours. EFSA is also looking at the FSA research on food colours mentioned above and will give an opinion early in 2008. Some manufacturers and retailers are working to remove artificial colours from their products.