Generic food additive
An ambiguous placeholder; safety unknown.
- Category
- Thickeners
What it is
A placeholder tag used when a food label mentions an additive but the specific code or identity cannot be determined.
How it is used in food
None — this is not a real substance. It is a placeholder entry standing in for an additive code that could not be matched to a specific compound, typically because a label was ambiguous, misprinted or unreadable.
Commonly found in- Ambiguous ingredient lists
Health and safety
Safety cannot be evaluated without knowing the specific additive.
No assessment is possible: risk depends entirely on the identity of the substance, its permitted use levels and the resulting exposure. The correct response to an unresolved code is to re-read the ingredient list or check the manufacturer's information, not to assume either safety or harm.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- Exxx
Worth knowing
Additive codes are not self-describing, but the E-number ranges do carry meaning: 100s are colours, 200s preservatives, 300s antioxidants and acidity regulators, 400s thickeners, stabilisers and emulsifiers, 500s acidity regulators and anti-caking agents, 600s flavour enhancers, and 900s glazing agents and sweeteners. A code that fits none of these patterns is usually a transcription error.
Conclusion
An ambiguous placeholder; safety unknown.
Is it in what you are buying?
ScanWise reads the barcode and tells you which additives a product actually contains, and what they do to its score.
Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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