VFOOD2600 - Items benefiting from the relief: what is food?: food ingredients and additives: food additives list
In this list, which is not exhaustive,
- SR means that the item is standard-rated for VAT;
- ZR means that the item is zero-rated for VAT.
Name |
Use |
E-№ |
VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
Alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, gamma-carotene |
Vitamin A - also used as natural orange colourant |
160(a) |
SR |
Beta-apo-8’-carotene |
Colourant derived from carotene |
160(e) |
SR |
Alpha-tocopherol (synthetic) |
An anti-oxidant for oils and fats |
307 |
SR |
Gamma-tocopherol (synthetic) |
An anti-oxidant for oils and fats |
308 |
SR |
Delta-tocopherol (synthetic) |
An anti-oxidant for oils and fats |
309 |
SR |
(Chocolate) brown HT |
Pigment derived from coal tar used in chocolate baked goods |
155 |
SR |
1,4-heptonolactone |
Acid, suquestrant |
370 |
SR |
Acesulphame potassium |
Sweetener |
370 |
SR |
Acetic acid |
Acidity regulator |
260 |
SR |
Acetic acid esters of mon- and di-glycerides of fatty acids |
Stabiliser |
472(a) |
SR |
Adipic acid |
Buffer / flavouring |
355 |
SR |
Agar |
Natural stabiliser and thickening agent derived from algae; used in culture medium |
406 |
SR |
Alginic acid |
Stabiliser / binder derived from algae |
400 |
SR |
Aluminium |
Colourant - used in cake decorations |
173 |
SR |
Aluminium calcium silicate |
Anti-caking agent |
556 |
SR |
Aluminium potassium sulphate |
Firming agent |
- |
SR |
Alumimium sodium silicate |
Anti-caking agent |
554 |
SR |
Amaranth |
Colourant - red pigment derived from coal tar used as substitute for cochineal |
123 |
SR |
Amidated pectin |
Gelling agent - pectin derivative |
440(b) |
SR |
Ammonium alginate |
Stabiliser and thickening agent - salt of alginic acid |
403 |
SR |
Ammonium carbonate; ammonium hydrogen carbonate |
Buffer, aerating agent |
503 |
SR |
Ammonium chloride |
Yeast food |
510 |
SR |
Ammonium dihydrogen orthophosphate; diammonium hydrogen orthophosphate |
Buffer, yeast food |
- |
SR |
Ammonium ferric citrate |
Dietary iron supplement |
381 |
SR |
Ammonium hydroxide |
Diluent and solvent for colouring, base |
527 |
SR |
Ammonium phosphatides |
Emulsifier and stabiliser |
442 |
SR |
Ammonium polyphosphates |
Emulsifier, texturiser |
545 |
SR |
Ammonium sulphate |
Yeast food |
- |
SR |
Annatto/Bixin/Norbixin |
Colourant - yellow colourant derived from fruit and annatto tree |
160(b) |
SR |
Anthocyanins |
Colourant |
163 |
SR |
Ascorbyl palmitate |
Vitamin C derivative used as anti-oxidant in scotch eggs |
304 |
SR |
Aspartame |
Sweetener |
- |
ZR |
Azodicarbonamide |
Flour improver |
927 |
SR |
Beeswax |
Glazing agent |
901 |
SR |
Beetroot red (betanin) |
Colourant - natural red pigment derived from beetroot |
162 |
SR |
Bentonite |
Anti-caking agent |
558 |
SR |
Benzoic acid |
Preservative - anti-bacterial and anti-fungal |
210 |
SR |
Benzoyl peroxide |
Flour bleaching agent |
- |
SR |
| Bicarbonate of Soda | When sold in small tubs that are held out for sale as a baking ingredient | - | ZR |
Biphenyl |
Preservative |
230 |
SR |
Black PN |
Colourant - black pigment derived from coal tar |
151 |
SR |
Bone phosphate |
Anti-caking agent |
542 |
SR |
Brilliant blue FCF |
Colourant - blue pigment derived from coal tar used as substitute for indigo |
133 |
SR |
Brown FK |
Colourant - brown pigment derived from coal tar, used in kippers |
154 |
SR |
Butyl stearate |
Release agent |
- |
SR |
Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) |
Anti-oxidant |
320 |
SR |
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) |
Anti-oxidant |
321 |
SR |
Calcium acetate |
Acidity regulator |
263 |
SR |
Calcium alginate |
Stabiliser and thickening agent - salt of alginic acid |
404 |
SR |
Calcium benzoate |
Preservative -salt of benzoic acid |
213 |
SR |
Calcium bisulphite |
Preservative |
227 |
SR |
Calcium carbonate |
Base and firming agent |
170 |
SR |
Calcium chloride |
Firming agent |
509 |
SR |
Calcium disodium EDTA |
Sequestrant |
385 |
SR |
Calcium gluconate |
Buffer, firming agent |
578 |
SR |
Calcium glutamate |
Flavour enhancer |
623 |
SR |
Calcium heptonate |
Firming agent, sequestrant |
- |
SR |
Calcium hydroxide |
Firming agent, neutralising agent |
526 |
SR |
Calcium L-ascorbate |
Vitamin C derivative used as anti-oxidant |
302 |
SR |
Calcium lactate |
Buffer, firming agent |
327 |
SR |
Calcium malate |
Firming agent calcium hydrogen malate |
352 |
SR |
Calcium oxide |
Base |
529 |
SR |
Calcium phytate |
Wine sequestrant |
- |
SR |
Calcium polyphosphates |
Emulsifying salt |
544 |
SR |
Calcium propionate |
Preservative - salt of propionic acid |
282 |
SR |
Calcium saccharin |
Sweetener |
- |
ZR |
Calcium silicate |
Anti-caking agent, release agent |
552 |
SR |
Calcium sorbate |
Preservative - salt of sorbic acid |
203 |
SR |
Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate |
Stabiliser |
482 |
SR |
Calcium sulphate |
Yeast food, firming agent |
516 |
SR |
Calcium sulphite |
Preservative |
226 |
SR |
Calcium tetrahydrogen diorthophosphate; calcium hydrogen orthophosphate; tricalcium diorthophosphate |
Firming agent, anti-caking agent, raising agent |
341 |
SR |
Canthaxanthin |
Colourant |
161(g) |
SR |
Capsanthin/capsorubin used as a substitute for cochineal |
Colourant - red pigment |
160(a) |
SR |
Carageenan |
Natural stabiliser and thickening agent derived from seaweed |
407 |
SR |
Caramel |
Colourant / flavouring derived from burnt sugar |
150 |
ZR |
Carbon black |
Colourant - black pigment derived from vegetable carbon, used in liquorice |
153 |
SR |
Carboxymethyl |
Bulking agent - may be used to suppress appetite in slimming foods |
466 |
SR |
Cardon dioxide |
Carbonating agent |
290 |
SR |
Carmoisine |
Colourant - red pigment derived from coal tar used as substitute for cochineal |
122 |
SR |
Carnauba wax |
Glazing agent |
903 |
SR |
Cellulose |
Bulking agent - may be used to suppress appetite in slimming foods |
460 |
SR |
Chlorine |
Flour improver |
925 |
SR |
Chlorine dioxide |
Flour improver |
926 |
SR |
Chlorophyll |
Colourant - derived from plant matter; also used as oral deodorant |
140 |
SR |
Chlorophyllins |
Colourant - green pigment derived from chlorophyll |
141 |
SR |
Citric acid |
Acid flavouring |
330 |
SR |
Citric acid esters of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids |
Stabiliser |
472 |
SR |
Cochineal |
Colourant - natural red colouring derived from cochineal beetle |
120 |
ZR |
Cryptoxanthin |
Colourant |
161 |
SR |
Curcumin |
Colourant - yellow pigment derived from turmeric, used flour confectionery, margarine |
100 |
SR |
Dicalcium diphosphate |
Buffer, neutralising agent |
540 |
SR |
Dimethylpolysiloxane |
Anti-foaming agent |
900 |
SR |
Disodium dihydrogen diphosphate; trisodium diphosphate; tetrasodium diphosphate tetrapotassium diphosphate |
Buffer, emulsifying salt, sequestrant, stabiliser, raising agent |
450(a) |
SR |
Disodium dihydrogen EDTA |
Brandy sequestrant |
- |
SR |
DL-malic acid, L-malic acid |
Acid flavouring |
296 |
SR |
Dodecyl gallate |
Anti-oxidant |
312 |
SR |
Erythrosine |
Colourant - red pigment derived from coal used as substitute for cochineal |
127 |
SR |
Ethyl acetate |
Solvent for colour and flavourings |
- |
SR |
Ethyl alcohol |
Solvent for colour and flavourings |
- |
SR |
Ethyl ester of (-apo-8’- carotenoic acid |
Colourant - derivative of (-apo-8’- carotene |
160(f) |
SR |
Ethyl maltol |
Flavouring, flavour enhancer |
637 |
SR |
Ethyl para- hydroxybenzoate |
Preservative |
214 |
SR |
Ethylmethylcellulose |
Bulking agent - may be used to suppress appetite in slimming foods |
465 |
SR |
Flavoxanthin |
Colourant - synthetic carotenoid pigment |
161(a) |
SR |
Fumaric acid |
Acid flavouring |
297 |
SR |
Glucono delta-1actone |
Acid, sequestrant |
575 |
SR |
Glycerol |
Humectant, solvent |
422 |
SR |
Glycerol mon-acetate; glycerol di-acetate; glycerol tri-acetate |
Solvent for colour and flavourings |
- |
SR |
Glycine |
Buffer, sequestrant |
- |
SR |
Gold |
Colourant - used in cake decorations |
175 |
SR |
Green S |
Colourant - green pigment derived from coal tar as substitute for chlorophyll |
142 |
SR |
Guar gum |
Natural stabiliser and thickening agent |
412 |
SR |
Gum arabic |
Natural stabiliser and thickening agent |
414 |
SR |
Hexamine |
Preservative |
239 |
SR |
Hydrochloric acid |
507 |
SR |
|
Hydroxypropyl cellulose |
Bulking agent - mat be used to suppress appetite in slimming foods |
463 |
SR |
Hydroxypropyl - methylcellulose |
Bulking agent - may be used to suppress appetite in slimming foods |
464 |
SR |
Indigo carmine |
Colourant - derived from indigo plant; also used as diagnostic aid in kidney ailments |
132 |
SR |
Iron oxides/ hydroxides |
Colourant - red pigment |
172 |
SR |
Isomalt |
Sweetener |
- |
ZR |
Kaolin |
Anti-caking agent |
559 |
SR |
Karaya gum |
Natural stabiliser and thickening agent |
416 |
SR |
L-ascorbic acid |
Vitamin C - also used as anti-oxidant and flour improver |
300 |
SR |
L-cysterine hydrochloride |
Flour improver |
920 |
SR |
L-glutamic acid |
Flavour enhancer |
620 |
SR |
Lactic acid |
Acid flavouring, preservative |
270 |
SR |
Lactic acid esters of mon- and di-glycerides of fatty acids |
Stabiliser |
472(b) |
SR |
Lecithins |
Emulsifier / stabiliser / anti-oxidant |
322 |
SR |
Locust bean gum |
Natural stabiliser and thickening agent derived from locust bean flour (carob gum) |
410 |
SR |
Lutein |
Colourant |
161(b) |
SR |
Lycopene |
Colourant - yellow colourant derived from club moss |
160(d) |
SR |
Magnesium carbonate |
Base, anti-caking agent |
504 |
SR |
Magnesium hydroxide |
Base |
528 |
SR |
Magnesium oxide |
Anti-caking agent for cocoa products |
530 |
SR |
Magnesium silicate |
Anti-caking agent synthetic; magnesium trisilicate |
553(a) |
SR |
Magnesium stearate |
Release agent, emulsifier |
572 |
SR |
Magnesium sulphate |
Firming agent |
518 |
SR |
Maltol |
Flavouring, flavour enhancer |
636 |
SR |
Mannitol |
Sweetener |
421 |
ZR |
Metatartaric acid |
Sequestrant used in wine |
353 |
SR |
Methyl para-hydroxybenzoate |
Preservative |
218 |
SR |
Methylcellulose |
Bulking agent - may be used to suppress appetite in slimming foods |
461 |
SR |
Microcrystalline wax |
Release agent |
907 |
SR |
Mineral hydrocarbons |
905 |
SR |
|
Mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids |
Stabiliser |
471 |
SR |
Mono- and esters of mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids |
Stabiliser |
472(e) |
SR |
Monocalcium citrate; dicalcium citrate; tricalcium citrate |
Acid flavouring, buffer, emulsifyer, firming agent |
333 |
SR |
Monopotassium citrate; emulsifyer tripotassium citrate |
Acid flavouring, buffer |
332 |
SR |
Monopotassium glutamate |
Flavour enhancer |
622 |
SR |
Monopotassium tartrate dipotassium citrate |
Acid flavouring, buffer, (cream of tartar); emulsifyer |
336 |
SR |
Monosodium citrate, disodium citrate; trisodium citrate; |
Acid flavouring, buffer, emulsifier |
331 |
SR |
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) |
Flavour enhancer |
621 |
SR |
Monosodium tartrate, disodium tartrate |
Acid flavouring, buffer, emulsifier |
335 |
SR |
Nicotinic acid |
B-group vitamin, colour stabiliser |
375 |
SR |
Nisin |
Preservative |
234 |
SR |
Octadecylammonium acetate |
Anti-caking agent |
- |
SR |
Octyl gallate |
Anti-oxidant |
311 |
SR |
Orthophenylphenol |
Preservative |
231 |
SR |
Patent blue V |
Colourant - blue pigment derived from coal tar used as substitute for indigo |
131 |
SR |
Pectin |
Natural gelling agent |
440(a) |
SR |
Pentasodium triphosphate; pentapotassium triphosphate |
Buffer, emulsifying salt, sequestrant, stabiliser, raising agent |
450(b) |
SR |
Phosphoric acid |
Buffer, sequestrant, emulsifier |
338 |
SR |
Pigment rubine / lithol rubine BK |
Colourant |
180 |
SR |
Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids |
Stabiliser |
475 |
SR |
Polyglycerol esters of polycondensed fatty acids of castor oil |
Stabiliser |
476 |
SR |
Polysorbate 20 |
Emulsifier - sorbitan derivative |
432 |
ZR |
Polysorbate 40 |
Emulsifier - sorbitan derivative |
434 |
ZR |
Polysorbate 60 |
Emulsifier - sorbitan derivative |
435 |
ZR |
Polysorbate 65 |
Emulsifier - sorbitan derivative |
436 |
ZR |
Polysorbate 80 |
Emulsifier - sorbitan derivative |
433 |
ZR |
Ponceau 4R |
Colourant - red pigment derived from coal tar used as substitute for cochineal |
124 |
SR |
Potassium acetate |
Acidity regulator |
261 |
SR |
Potassium alginate |
Stabiliser and thickening agent - salt of alginic acid |
402 |
SR |
Potassium benzoate |
Preservative - salt of benzoic acid |
212 |
SR |
Potassium bromate |
Flour improver |
924 |
SR |
Potassium carbonate; potassium hydrogen carbonate |
Base, aerating agent, diluent |
501 |
SR |
Potassium chloride |
Gelling agent, salt substitute |
508 |
SR* |
Potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate; dipotassium hydrogen orthophosphate; tripotassium orthophosphate |
Buffer, sequestrant, emulsifier |
340 |
SR |
Potassium ferrocyanide |
Anti-caking agent for salt |
536 |
SR |
Potassium gluconate |
Sequestrant |
577 |
SR |
Potassium hydroxide |
Base |
525 |
SR |
Potassium lactate |
Buffer |
326 |
SR |
Potassium malate |
Buffer, humectant |
351 |
SR |
Potassium metabisulphite |
Preservative |
224 |
SR |
Potassium nitrate |
Preservative |
252 |
SR |
Potassium nitrite |
Preservative |
249 |
SR |
Potassium propionate |
Preservative - salt of propionic acid |
283 |
SR |
Potassium sodium tartrate |
Acid flavouring, buffer, emulsifier |
337 |
SR |
Potassium sorbate |
Preservative - salt of sorbic acid |
202 |
SR |
Potassium sulphate |
Salt substitute |
515 |
SR |
Propane-1,2-diol esters |
Stabiliser of fatty acids |
477 |
SR |
Propionic acid |
Preservative |
280 |
SR |
Propyl gallate |
Anti-oxidant |
310 |
SR |
Propyl para-hydroxybenzoate |
Preservative |
216 |
SR |
Propylene glycol alginate |
Stabiliser and thickening agent - salt of alginic acid |
405 |
SR |
Quinoline yellow |
Colourant - yellow pigment derived from coal tar used as substitute for saffron |
104 |
SR |
Red 2G |
Colourant - red pigment derived from coal tar used as substitute for cochineal |
128 |
SR |
Rhodoxanthin |
Colourant |
161(f) |
SR |
Riboflavin |
Vitamin B² - also used as colourant in sauces |
101 |
SR |
Rubixanthin |
Colourant |
161(d) |
SR |
Saccharin |
Sweetener |
- |
ZR |
Salts of fatty acids |
Stabiliser |
470 |
SR |
Shellac |
Glazing agent |
904 |
SR |
Silica |
Anti-caking agent |
551 |
SR |
Silver |
Colourant - used in cake decorations |
174 |
SR |
Sodium 5’-ribonucleotide |
Flavour enhancer |
635 |
SR |
Sodium acetate |
Acidity regulator |
262 |
SR |
Sodium alginate |
Stabiliser and thickening agent - salt of alginic acid |
401 |
SR |
Sodium aluminium phosphate |
Acid, raising agent |
541 |
SR |
Sodium benzoate |
Preservative - salt of benzoic acid |
211 |
SR |
Sodium bisulphite |
Preservative |
222 |
SR |
Sodium carbonate; bicarbonate of soda (unless sold in small tubs that are held out for sale as a baking ingredient); sodium sesquicarbonate |
Base, aerating agent, diluent |
500 |
SR |
Sodium dihydrogen orthophosphate; disodium hydrogen orthophosphate; trisodium orthophosphate |
Buffer, sequestrant, emulsifier |
339 |
SR |
Sodium ethyl para- hydroxybenzoate |
Preservative |
215 |
SR |
Sodium ferrocyanide |
Anti-caking agent for salt |
535 |
SR |
Sodium gluconate |
Sequestrant |
576 |
SR |
Sodium guanylate |
Flavour enhancer |
627 |
SR |
Sodium hydrogen diacetate |
Acidity regulator |
262 |
SR |
Sodium hydroxide |
Base |
524 |
SR |
Sodium inosinate |
Flavour enhancer |
631 |
SR |
Sodium L-ascorbate |
Vitamin C derivative used as anti-oxidant |
301 |
SR |
Sodium lactate |
Buffer, humectant |
325 |
SR |
Sodium malate; sodium hydrogen malate |
Buffer, humectant |
350 |
SR |
Sodium metabisulphite |
Preservative |
223 |
SR |
Sodium methyl para- hydroxybenzoate |
Preservative |
219 |
SR |
Sodium nitrate |
Preservative |
251 |
SR |
Sodium nitrite |
Preservative |
250 |
SR |
Sodium orthophenyl- phenate |
Preservative |
232 |
SR |
Sodium polyphosphates; potassium polyphosphates |
Buffer, emulsifying salt, sequestrant, stabiliser, raising agent |
450 |
SR |
Sodium propionate |
Preservative - salt of propionic acid |
281 |
SR |
Sodium propyl para- hydroxybenzoate |
Preservative |
217 |
SR |
Sodium saccharin |
Sweetener |
- |
ZR |
Sodium sorbate |
Preservative - salt of sorbic acid |
201 |
SR |
Sodium stearoyl-2- lactylate |
Stabiliser |
481 |
SR |
Sodium sulphate |
Diluent for colouring |
514 |
SR |
Sodium sulphite |
Preservative |
221 |
SR |
Sorbic acid |
Preservative - anti-bacterial and anti-fungal |
200 |
SR |
Sorbitan mono-oleate |
Stabiliser |
494 |
SR |
Sorbitan monolaurate |
Stabiliser |
493 |
SR |
Sorbitan monopalmitate |
Stabiliser |
495 |
SR |
Sorbitan monostearate |
Stabiliser |
491 |
SR |
Sorbitan tristearate |
Stabiliser |
492 |
SR |
Sorbitol |
Sweetener |
420 |
SR |
Stearic acid |
Anti-caking agent |
570 |
SR |
Stearyl tartrate |
Stabiliser |
483 |
SR |
Succinic acid |
Buffer / flavouring |
363 |
SR |
Sucroglycerides |
Stabiliser |
474 |
SR |
Sucrose esters of fatty acids |
Stabiliser |
473 |
SR |
Sulphur dioxide |
Preservative |
220 |
SR |
Sulphuric acid |
513 |
SR |
|
Sunset yellow FCF |
Colourant - yellow pigment derived from coal tar used as substitute for saffron |
110 |
SR |
Talc |
Release agent |
553(b) |
SR |
Tartaric acid |
Acid flavouring, buffer, emulsifier |
334 |
SR |
Tartrazine |
Colourant - yellow pigment derived from coal tar used as substitute for saffron |
102 |
SR |
Thaumatin |
Sweetener |
- |
ZR |
Thiabendazole |
Preservative |
233 |
SR |
Titanium dioxide |
Colourant - white pigment, also used in cosmetics |
171 |
SR |
Tocoperals (natural) |
Vitamin E - also used as anti-oxidant for oils and fats |
306 |
SR |
Tragacanth |
Natural stabiliser and thickening agent |
413 |
SR |
Triammonium citrate |
Buffer, emulsifying salt |
380 |
SR |
Violaxanthin |
Colourant |
161(e) |
SR |
Xanthan gum |
Natural stabiliser and thickening agent |
415 |
SR |
Xylitol |
Sweetener |
- |
ZR |
Yellow 2G |
Colourant - yellow pigment derived from coal tar used as substitute for saffron |
- |
SR |
* ZR if sold in retail packs for home culinary use as a salt substitute.