1. E102 – tartrazine. This yellow food colouring has already been banned from use inNorway and Austria, yet it continued being used in food and drinks in the UK. Inrecent years, since a study found it was linked to hyperactivity in children, the UKgovernment have suggested it should be avoided by children, but adults may wellwant to avoid it too. E102 is commonly found in products such as mustard,marmalade, jelly, marzipan, ice lollies, fizzy drinks, squash, custard powder, andsoups.

2. E122 – carmoisine. E122 is a synthetic red dye that’s used as a colouring in manyfoods. Already banned in several countries, including Norway, Japan, America, andInSweden, this colouring is found in products such as sweets, yoghurts, packet soup, jellyand jam. It has been positively linked to hyperactivity in children, and the UKgovernment recommends that children may be better avoiding it, but it can also causeallergic reactions in adults too.

3. E129 – allura red. E129 is a red or orange-like synthetic dye which is used as a foodcolouring in drinks and sweets. As well as being linked to hyperactive behaviour inchildren, it may also cause allergic skin reactions in adults, especially anyonesensitive to aspirin. It’s worth noting that E129 has already been banned in manycountries, including France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Norway and Sweden.

4. E104 – quinoline yellow. As the name suggests, E104 is a synthetic yellowcolouring and is used in products such as smoked haddock and scotch eggs to providea yellow tinge. Already banned in countries such as Japan, America, Australia andNorway, the colouring has been linked to health and hyperactive problems in children.

5. E621 – monosodium glutamate. Otherwise known as MSG, E621 is a flavourenhancer that’s commonly used to pep up food products and make them taste better.Unfortunately, it is known to cause problems for some people, and certain peopleseem to be more sensitive to its effects than others. Amongst the known side effects,MSG can cause symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, muscle pain,palpitations and even pain.

6. E951 – aspartame. E951 is an artificial sweetener that’s commonly used as asweetening ingredient. In particular, it’s often found in products aimed at dieters ordiabetics, such as desserts, low-fat foods, low sugar drinks, snacks and sweets. It’swell known to be linked to problems in people who suffer from the condition PKU,and they are well advised to avoid it completely. But aspartame has become a concernto other people too and side effects, such as headaches, have often been reported.

7. E211 – sodium benzoate. E211 is an E number that’s used as a preservative and isfound in products such as margarine, salad dressing, soy sauce, sweets and softdrinks. Studies have found that it’s linked to hyperactivity in children, plus it maycause reactions in people who have allergic conditions or asthma.

8. E151 – black PN / brilliant black BN. E151 is a form of black synthetic dye that isused as a food colouring in some products. However, concerns have been raised inother countries, as it’s been linked to allergic reactions in some people. It is alreadybanned in Australia, Austria, America, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland,

9. E133 – Brilliant blue FCF. E133 is another synthetic colouring dye, which adds ablue colour to some products. Some people have been found to experience allergicreactions after consuming products containing E133, and this E number is alreadybanned in Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, France, Germany and Norway.

10. E213 – calcium benzoate. E213 is a form of preservative that’s used to lengthenthe shelf life of foods and drinks. It’s often found in low-sugar products, but it hasbeen linked to side effects in people who have allergic conditions.