E codes are codes sometimes found on food labels in the European Union (GB,
France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, etc.) The code indicates an ingredient which
is some type of food additive. The E indicates that it is a "European Union approved"
food additive.
If you never saw one before, probably you don't live in the European Union. Other
countries have different food labelling laws. Even inside the EU, sometimes they use
the code, sometimes they still write the word.
Halal: Halal is a Quranic term which means allowed or lawful. Halal foods and drinks
are permitted for consumption by Allah-the Supreme Law Giver. Eating Halal is
obligatory on every Muslim.
Haram: Haram is a Quranic term which means prohibited or unlawful. Haram foods
and drinks are absolutely prohibited by Allah. Eating Haram is forbidden for every
Muslim.
Mushbooh: Mushbooh is an Arabic term which means suspected and cover a grey
area between Halal and Haraam. If one does not know the Halal or Harm status of a
particular food or drink, such a food or drink is doubtful. A practicing Muslims
prevents himself from consuming doubtful things.
Other words you may come across are Makrooh meaning religiously discouraged or
disliked and Dhabiha meaning slaughtered according to Islamic method.
E Codes:
E100 Curcumin, turmeric [Colouring] halal
E101 Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), formerly called lactoflavin (Vitamin G) [Colouring]
[likely to be GM] mushbooh
E101a Riboflavin-5'-Phosphate [Colouring] [likely to be GM] mushbooh
E102 Tartrazine [Colouring] [possible allergic reaction] halal
E103 Chrysoine Resorcinol [Colouring] ?
E104 Quinoline Yellow [Colouring] [possible allergic reaction] halal
E105 Fast Yellow AB [Colouring] ?
E106 Riboflavin-5-Sodium Phosphate [Colouring] mushbooh
E107 Yellow 2G [Colouring] ?
E110 Sunset Yellow FCF, Orange Yellow S [Colouring] halal
E111 Orange GGN [Colouring] ?
E120 Cochineal, Carminic acid, Carmines [Colouring] [animal origin] haram
E121 Orcein, Orchil [Colouring] ?
E122 Carmoisine, Azorubine [Colouring] halal
E123 Amaranth [Colouring] halal
E124 Ponceau 4R, Cochineal Red A, Brilliant Scarlet 4R [Colouring] halal
E125 Scarlet GN [Colouring] ?
E126 Ponceau 6R [Colouring] ?
E127 Erythrosine [Colouring] halal
E128 Red 2G [Colouring] halal
E129 Allura Red AC [Colouring] halal
E130 Indanthrene blue RS [Colouring] ?
E131 Patent Blue V [Colouring] halal
E132 Indigo carmine, Indigotine [Colouring] halal
E133 Brilliant Blue FCF [Colouring] halal
E140 Chlorophylls and Chlorophyllins: (i) Chlorophylls (ii) Chlorophyllins
[Colouring] haram