E-numbers that aren't vegetarian in Australia
Australian labels list most additives by number — “Emulsifier (471)”, “Colour (120)” — so an animal-derived ingredient can sit in plain sight. Some numbers always come from animals, some depend on a source the label rarely states, and a few sound animal but are plant-based. This is how LabelSense reads each one.
Not vegetarian
| Number | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| E441 | Gelatine (E441) Gelatine — made from animal collagen (skin/bones) |
| E120 | Cochineal / carmine (E120) Cochineal/carmine (120) — colour made from insects |
| E904 | Shellac (E904) Shellac (904) — glaze secreted by lac insects |
| E920, E921 | L-cysteine (E920) L-cysteine (920/921) — usually from feathers or hair unless synthetic |
| E542 | Meat & meat extracts Meat or meat-derived ingredient |
Contain egg
| Number | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| E1105 | Egg (albumen, lysozyme E1105) Contains egg |
Depends on the source (Green with a Check flag)
These are usually plant-derived but can come from animals. LabelSense clears the flag only when the label settles it — a plant-source phrase, a vegetarian or vegan claim, or a kosher pareve mark. A halal mark does not settle it, because halal only rules out pork.
| Number | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| E470, E470A, E470B, E471, E472, E472A, E472B, E472C, E472D, E472E, E472F, E481, E482, E422, E475, E476, E477, E570, E572 | Emulsifier E471 & family usually plant-derived, source not stated |
| E304, E430, E431, E432, E433, E434, E435, E436, E473, E474, E483, E491, E492, E493, E494, E495 | Polysorbates & fatty-acid esters Fatty-acid emulsifier — can be animal- or plant-derived, source not stated |
| E640 | Glycine (E640) Glycine (640) — can be animal-derived, usually synthetic |
| E627, E631, E635 | Flavour enhancers E627 / E631 / E635 Flavour enhancer 627/631/635 — can be fish- or meat-derived, usually fermented |
Sound animal, but vegetarian
| Number | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| E901 | Honey & bee products Bee-derived — vegetarian, not vegan |
| E913 | Lanolin (E913) Lanolin (wool grease) — vegetarian, not vegan |
| E322 | Lecithin (E322) Lecithin — almost always soy or sunflower |
| E966 | Dairy (milk, whey, casein, ghee) Dairy — vegetarian |
| E336 | Cocoa butter & other dairy-sounding plant ingredients Plant-based despite the dairy-like name |
| E270, E325, E326, E327 | Lactic acid & lactates (E270) Lactic acid/lactates — fermentation-derived, not from milk |
| E903 | Carnauba wax (E903) Carnauba wax (903) — palm-leaf wax, plant-based (not to be confused with shellac, 904) |
| E406, E440, E407 | Agar, pectin & carrageenan Plant/seaweed-based gelling agent |
| E425 | Root vegetables (potato, fresh ginger, konjac…) Root vegetable |
Results come from reading the label. Always check the pack yourself, especially for allergies. Ingredient sources can change without notice — when a label doesn't settle it, ask the manufacturer.
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