E404 – Unassigned E-Number
E404 is not an approved food additive and does not exist as an official E-number under EU food additive regulations.
Wissenswertes über "E404"
E404 is not an approved food additive and does not exist as an official E-number under EU food additive regulations.
What is E404?
E404 is not a registered or approved E-number within the European Union. The European E-number system identifies tested and approved food additives. The number E404 is not assigned in the current EU Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives and therefore does not officially exist.
The E-Number System in the EU
E-numbers are standardized codes used by the European Union to label approved food additives. Every additive that receives an E-number has been evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for safety, efficacy, and technological necessity.
The numbers are organized by functional class:
- E100–E199: Colours
- E200–E299: Preservatives
- E300–E399: Antioxidants and acidity regulators
- E400–E499: Thickeners, gelling agents, phosphates, and humectants
- E500–E599: Acidity regulators and anti-caking agents
- E600–E699: Flavour enhancers
- E900–E999: Miscellaneous additives
Why Does E404 Not Exist?
Not all numbers within a range are assigned. Some numbers are reserved, have never been allocated, or relate to substances whose approval has been revoked. E404 is one such unassigned number within the thickeners and gelling agents range (E400–E499).
For comparison, well-known and approved E-numbers in the immediate vicinity include:
- E400: Alginic acid (gelling agent)
- E401: Sodium alginate (gelling agent)
- E402: Potassium alginate (gelling agent)
- E403: Ammonium alginate (gelling agent)
- E405: Propylene glycol alginate (emulsifier, thickener)
The number E404 was simply never assigned within this group.
What This Means for Consumers
Consumers who encounter the label E404 on a food product should exercise caution: such a product would be declaring a non-approved or non-existent additive, which may indicate a labelling error or misleading declaration. In such cases, it is advisable to contact the relevant food safety authority.
References
- European Union: Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives. Official Journal of the European Union, 2008.
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Food additives. Available at: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/topics/topic/food-additives
- European Commission: EU Register of Food Additives. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/food-improvement-agents/additives_en
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