List of E Numbers and Food Colourings
Food colourings are used to help the vibrancy of the macaron. Below is a list of the current E numbers I use in my macarons. They are approved by the Food Standard Agency.
I may also use natural food colourings but I find them less vibrant than artificial colourings.
E102 Tartrazine (synthetic lemon yellow azo dye)
Rainbow Dust Pro Gel: Black, Gooseberry, Lemon
Colour Splash Food Gel: Forest Green, Jade
E104 Quinoline Yellow
E110 Sunset Yellow (petroleum-derived orange azo dye)
Colour Splash Food Gel: Forest Green, Orange
E122 Carmoisine (azo dye)
Colour Splash Food Gel: Forest Green, Pale Pink, Pink, Navy, Violet
Rainbow Dust Pro Gel: Black, Navy
E124 Ponceau 4R
Rainbow Dust Pro Gel
E129 Allura Red AC (red azo dye)
Colour Splash Food Gel: Bordeaux, Red
Rainbow Dust Pro Gel: Red
E132 Indigo Carmine
E133 Brilliant Blue FCF
Colour Splash Food Gel: Forest Green, Jade, Navy, Violet
Rainbow Dust Pro Gel: Baby Blue, Black, Brown, Gooseberry, Navy, Sky Blue
E151 Brilliant Black
Colour Splash Food Gel: Bordeaux
Rainbow Dust Pro Gel: Black
E155 Brown HT
Colour Splash Food Gel: Forest Green,
Rainbow Dust Pro Gel: Brown, Forest Green, Gooseberry, Navy
E102. E104, E110, E122, E124, E129: May have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children
E171Titanium Dioxide (TiO2)
Titanium Dioxide is found in a number of products including food. It is approved by the Food Standards Agency, however the European Food Standards Agency have considered some findings regarding the immunotoxicity, inflammation and neurotoxicity with respect to the nanoparticles present in food grade TiO2 may be indicative of adverse effects. On the basis of the current available evidence and the uncertainties, with a concern regarding genotoxicity which could not be resolved, the EFSA panel concluded that Titanium Dioxide could no longer be considered safe to use as a good additive.
Consequently, I have decided not use Titanium Dioxide in my macarons, therefore unable to produce pure white macarons.
Preservatives E200 - 299
E202 Potassium Sorbate
Colour Splash Food Gel
Antioxidants, acidity regulators E300 - 399
E330 Citric Acid
Colour Splash Food Gel
Thickeners E400 - 499
E406 Agar Gelling Agent
Colour Splash Food Gel
E422 Humectant (Glycerol)
Rainbow Dust Pro Gel only
Acidity Regulators, Anti Caking Agents
E551 Silicon Dioxide