E numbers in foods and drinks is of concern to people following all sorts of diets
and this includes vegans. Here we explore which E numbers can be safely
consumed – or not – by vegans.

People who are vegans follow a strict vegetarian diet but also avoid any dairy products or eggs. Many vegans also avoid honey, or products containing honey, too. The issue of whether E numbers are suitable for vegans or not sadly isn’t always clear-cut. This is because some E numbers can be obtained from either plant or animal sources. An example of this is E306 (tocopherol), which can be obtained from plant fat, therefore making it suitable for vegans. But it’s also possible for it to be derived from pork fat, which would be unsuitable for vegans.

Unfortunately for consumers, manufacturers don’t always make it clear on packaging exactly where they’ve obtained some E numbers from. Some products are endorsed by organisations such as the Vegan Society, so you can be sure if is suitable for you to eat. But if you’re following a strict vegan diet and want to be 100% about a product, the best bet is to contact the manufacturer and ask for clarification. Contact details should be on the packaging of products and you could write, phone or email.