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Additives in Protein Bars

Sweeteners, emulsifiers, and bulking agents.

Lecithins
E322

Natural emulsifier from soy or sunflower

Monosodium Phosphate
E339a

Part of E339 group. Buffering agent

Disodium Phosphate
E339b

Part of E339. Emulsifying salt for cheese

Trisodium Phosphate
E339c

Part of E339. Strong alkali. Cleaning agent also

Monopotassium Phosphate
E340a

Part of E340. Buffering agent

Dipotassium Phosphate
E340b

Part of E340. Emulsifier

Tripotassium Phosphate
E340c

Part of E340. Emulsifier

Sorbitol
E420

Sugar alcohol. Laxative effect in large amounts

Mannitol
E421

Sugar alcohol

Polyoxyethylene (8) Stearate
E430

Synthetic emulsifier. Delisted in EU

Polyoxyethylene (40) Stearate
E431

Synthetic emulsifier. Delisted in EU

Polysorbate 20
E432

Synthetic emulsifier

Polysorbate 80
E433

Synthetic emulsifier. Some gut microbiome concerns in animal studies

Polysorbate 40
E434

Synthetic emulsifier

Polysorbate 60
E435

Synthetic emulsifier

Polysorbate 65
E436

Synthetic emulsifier

Ammonium Phosphatides
E442

Chocolate emulsifier

Brominated Vegetable Oil
E443

Banned in EU. Was used in citrus drinks. Also banned in US since 2024

Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate (SAIB)
E444

Density-weighting agent for beverages

Glycerol Esters of Wood Rosins
E445

Density-weighting agent for citrus beverages

Succinylated Monoglycerides
E446

Emulsifier. Not in EU approved list

Diphosphates (Pyrophosphates)
E450

Raising agent, emulsifier

Disodium Dihydrogen Diphosphate
E450a

Raising agent in baking. Part of E450 group

Trisodium Diphosphate
E450b

Emulsifying salt for processed cheese

Tetrasodium Diphosphate
E450c

Part of E450 group. Emulsifying salt

Tetrapotassium Diphosphate
E450d

Part of E450. Emulsifying salt

Triphosphates
E451

Water retention in meat

Pentasodium Triphosphate
E451a

Part of E451. Water retention in meat/seafood

Pentapotassium Triphosphate
E451b

Part of E451. Emulsifying salt

Polyphosphates
E452

Water retention, emulsifier

Sodium Polyphosphate (Glassy)
E452a

Part of E452. Water retention agent

Potassium Polyphosphate
E452b

Part of E452

Sodium Calcium Polyphosphate
E452c

Part of E452

Calcium Polyphosphate
E452d

Part of E452. Dental applications

Sodium Polyphosphate (Graham Salt)
E453

Sometimes listed separately from E452

Polyaspartate
E456

Synthetic dispersant. Not in EU food list

Sodium/Potassium/Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids
E470a

Anti-caking, emulsifier

Magnesium Salts of Fatty Acids
E470b

Anti-caking agent and release agent

Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids
E471

Very common emulsifier in bread, ice cream

Acetic Acid Esters of Mono- and Diglycerides
E472a

Emulsifier