Hidden secrets of processed food - the many Es

Described as dangerous, forbidden, suspicious or carcinogen, below you will find a summary list of E numbers to avoid in your food. While Europe is generally better equiped to ban those, the US and other countries might not be. In case of doubt, bring this list with your shopping list. However, you will best avoid these if you eat fresh, non processed food (including canned and frozen, which also have a large carbon footprint due to packaging, transport, refrigeration and so forth). Genuine bio and organic products will not include these and will have much higher nutritive value.

E number	Name and category	Side effects
E102 - E172	Colorants	May increase hyperactivity in children, asthmatics can react badly, alergic. Not to be taken with aspirin.
E173	Aluminium	Neurotoxic
E210 - E220	Benzoic acid and related salts/ often in milk and meat products	May cause headaches and intestine upset. May increase hyperactivity in children. Asthmatics sometimes react badly. Be cautious if you suffer from allergies or intolerances.
E220-E228	Preservative - sulphur dioxide and related salts/ often in milk and meat products	Headaches, intestine upset, skin disorders, destroys vitamin B12
E230	Preservative - Biphenyl and its derivatives	Headaches, intestine upset,
E249-E252	Potassium Nitrate and related salts	Skin disorders
E338-E343	Phosphoric Acid and its Salts	Digestive problems, stomach acidity
E450-E452	Sodium and Potassium Phosphates and Polyphosphates	Digestive problems, stomach acidity
E620-E625	Flavour Enhancers     Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)	Headaches, intestine upset, skin disorders
E951 (code used in the EU)	Artificial sweetener aspartam	Obesity, neurotoxic, serious adverse reactions such as muscle spasms, vision problems, hearing and memory loss, breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, joint pain etc.
E952	Artificial sweetener sodiun cyclamate	Carcinogen (approved in 55 countries, banned in the US)
E954	Saccharine	Carcinogen

 Sources:  Curezone.com (Educating instead of Medicating) and other 

Aspartam is used by various brand names such as Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure as well as NutraSweet, Monsanto’s subsidiary since 1984 sold in 2000.

...and talking of poisons, it is best to avoid chewing gum (ignoring other chewing gum dangers), if you have amalgam fillings as it may allow the relase of mercury.