E numbers are also increasingly used on food labelling to in other parts of the world, including the United States.

Below is a list of those additives / E numbers that are almost always from animal sources. However many other additives can be made from animal sources or from plant-based sources, and so the only real way to ensure something’s vegan is to look for a recognised vegan trademark, or contact the manufacturer.

The following E numbers almost always come from animal sources.

• E120: Carmine, also known as cochineal, carminic acid or natural red 4. Crushed up beetles used as red food colouring
• E441: Gelatine. A gelling agent made from ground up animal bone and skin, often found in confectionary
• E542: Bone phosphate. Ground up animal bones used to keep foods moist
• E901: Beeswax. As the name suggests, this is wax that’s made by bees, and is used as a glazing agent
• E904: Shellac. Another glazing agent, made from the secretions of an insect called the lac bug
• E910, E920, E921: L-cysteine and its derivatives. Made from animal hair and feathers, these additives are found in some breads as an improving agent
• E913: Lanolin. A greasy substance secreted by sheep and other woolly animals. While mostly used in cosmetics, it’s also often used to make vitamin D3, rendering many multi-vitamins and fortified foods unsuitable for vegans
• E966: Lactitol. A sweetener derived from lactose, which is made from milk
  
  
  

For more information on all things Vegan, help and advice
check out
 https://veganuary.com/
https://www.vegansociety.com/


Source for this blog 
 https://veganuary.com/