In many products available we some E-numbers in the ingredients list. In front of each E-number we find their true meaning except for E-471.

The emulsifiers used by the European countries bearing the E numbers are different to the products manufactured in South Africa. The E numbers appearing on the local products have no definite definition i.e. one company defines E 471 to contain a plant base whilst another company defines E 471 to contain animal base. These are approximately 700+- emulsifiers on the market of which half are animal based and half are plant based.

However, the overseas products with E numbers correspond to the products manufactured in European countries.

Mufti Ebrahim Desai