14.2.1 Beer and malt beverages
GB food category, from assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II, Part D, as at 28 June 2024.
In Great Britain an additive may be used only in the foods and under the conditions listed for them. Since 1 April 2025 those conditions are Annex II as it stood on 28 June 2024, read with the FSA and FSS register of authorisations. This page shows what is listed for this category. It does not infer anything from broader categories: where Annex II extends a broader category's provisions to its subcategories, it says so in that category's own listing. See the broader category 14.2.
Listed for this category
| Additive | Maximum level | Conditions | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acesulfame potassium E950 | — | (1) ML 350: only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1,2 % vol; ‘ Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer ’ (original wort content less than 6 %) except for ‘ Obergäriges Einfachbier ’ ; Beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘ oud bruin ’ type; (2) ML 25: only energy-reduced beer. Note (52): Maximum usable levels are expressed in free imide. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Advantame E969 | — | (1) ML 6: only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1,2 % vol; ‘ Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer ’ (original wort content less than 6 %) except for ‘ Obergäriges Einfachbier ’ ; Beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘ oud bruin ’ type; (2) ML 0.5: only energy-reduced beer. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Ascorbic acid E300 | quantum satis | — | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Aspartame E951 | — | (1) ML 600: only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1,2 % vol; ‘ Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer ’ (original wort content less than 6 %) except for ‘ Obergäriges Einfachbier ’ ; Beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘ oud bruin ’ type; (2) ML 25: only energy-reduced beer. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Aspartame-acesulfame salt E962 | — | (1) ML 350: only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1,2 % vol; ‘ Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer ’ (original wort content less than 6 %) except for ‘ Obergäriges Einfachbier ’ ; Beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘ oud bruin ’ type; (2) ML 25: only energy-reduced beer. Note (11): Limits are expressed as (a) acesulfame K equivalent or (b) aspartame equivalent. Note (49): The maximum usable levels are derived from the maximum usable levels for its constituent parts, aspartame (E 951) and acesulfame-K (E 950). Note (50): The levels for both E 951 and E 950 are not to be exceeded by use of the salt of aspartame-acesulfame, either alone or in combination with E 950 or E 951. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Calcium saccharin E954 | 80 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 954, Saccharins. only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1,2 % vol; ‘ Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer ’ (original wort content less than 6 %) except for ‘ Obergäriges Einfachbier ’ ; Beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘ oud bruin ’ type. Note (52): Maximum usable levels are expressed in free imide. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 954, Saccharins |
| Caramel I – plain caramel E150a | quantum satis | Authorised under E 150a,b,d, Plain caramel, Caustic sulphite caramel and Sulphite ammonia caramel. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 150a,b,d, Plain caramel, Caustic sulphite caramel and Sulphite ammonia caramel |
| Caramel II - sulfite caramel E150b | quantum satis | Authorised under E 150a,b,d, Plain caramel, Caustic sulphite caramel and Sulphite ammonia caramel. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 150a,b,d, Plain caramel, Caustic sulphite caramel and Sulphite ammonia caramel |
| Caramel III - ammonia caramel E150c | — | (1) ML 6000: no further restriction; (2) ML 9500: only ‘ Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer ’ (original wort content less than 6 %); Brown ale, porter, stout and old ale. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Caramel IV - sulfite ammonia caramel E150d | quantum satis | Authorised under E 150a,b,d, Plain caramel, Caustic sulphite caramel and Sulphite ammonia caramel. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 150a,b,d, Plain caramel, Caustic sulphite caramel and Sulphite ammonia caramel |
| Citric acid E330 | quantum satis | — | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides E960c | 70 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides. only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1.2% volume.; ‘Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer’ (original wort content less than 6%) except for ‘Obergäriges Einfachbier’; beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘oud bruin’ type. Note (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. Note (60): Expressed as steviol equivalents. | FSA/FSS Register of Food Additive Authorisations, E 960a–c conditions of use (19 February 2026), under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides |
| Gum arabic (Acacia gum) E414 | quantum satis | — | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Lactic acid E270 | quantum satis | — | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Lysozyme E1105 | quantum satis | only in beers that will not receive either pasteurisation or sterile filtration Period of application: From 25 June 2012. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Neohesperidine DC E959 | 10 mg/kg or mg/l | (1) ML 10: only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1,2 % vol; ‘ Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer ’ (original wort content less than 6 %) except for ‘ Obergäriges Einfachbier ’ ; Beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘ oud bruin ’ type; (2) ML 10: only energy-reduced beer. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Neotame E961 | — | (1) ML 20: only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1,2 % vol; ‘ Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer ’ (original wort content less than 6 %) except for ‘ Obergäriges Einfachbier ’ ; Beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘ oud bruin ’ type; (2) ML 1: only energy-reduced beer. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Polydextrose E1200 | quantum satis | Only energy-reduced and low-alcohol beers Period of application: From 25 June 2012. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Potassium saccharin E954 | 80 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 954, Saccharins. only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1,2 % vol; ‘ Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer ’ (original wort content less than 6 %) except for ‘ Obergäriges Einfachbier ’ ; Beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘ oud bruin ’ type. Note (52): Maximum usable levels are expressed in free imide. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 954, Saccharins |
| Propylene glycol alginate E405 | 100 mg/kg or mg/l | — | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Rebaudioside AM produced via enzymatic conversion of highly purified stevioside stevia leaf extracts E960c(iv) | 70 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides. only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1.2% volume.; ‘Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer’ (original wort content less than 6%) except for ‘Obergäriges Einfachbier’; beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘oud bruin’ type. Note (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. Note (60): Expressed as steviol equivalents. | FSA/FSS Register of Food Additive Authorisations, E 960a–c conditions of use (19 February 2026), under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides |
| Rebaudioside D produced via enzymatic conversion of highly purified rebaudioside A stevia leaf extracts E960c(iii) | 70 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides. only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1.2% volume.; ‘Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer’ (original wort content less than 6%) except for ‘Obergäriges Einfachbier’; beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘oud bruin’ type. Note (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. Note (60): Expressed as steviol equivalents. | FSA/FSS Register of Food Additive Authorisations, E 960a–c conditions of use (19 February 2026), under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides |
| Rebaudioside M from fermentation produced by Yarrowia lipolytica E960b(i) | 70 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960b, Steviol glycosides from fermentation. only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1.2% volume.; ‘Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer’ (original wort content less than 6%) except for ‘Obergäriges Einfachbier’; beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘oud bruin’ type. Note (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. Note (60): Expressed as steviol equivalents. | FSA/FSS Register of Food Additive Authorisations, E 960a–c conditions of use (19 February 2026), under E 960b, Steviol glycosides from fermentation |
| Rebaudioside M produced via enzymatic conversion of highly purified rebaudioside A stevia leaf extracts E960c(ii) | 70 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides. only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1.2% volume.; ‘Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer’ (original wort content less than 6%) except for ‘Obergäriges Einfachbier’; beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘oud bruin’ type. Note (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. Note (60): Expressed as steviol equivalents. | FSA/FSS Register of Food Additive Authorisations, E 960a–c conditions of use (19 February 2026), under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides |
| Rebaudioside M produced via enzyme modification of steviol glycosides from stevia E960c(i) | 70 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides. only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1.2% volume.; ‘Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer’ (original wort content less than 6%) except for ‘Obergäriges Einfachbier’; beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘oud bruin’ type. Note (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. Note (60): Expressed as steviol equivalents. | FSA/FSS Register of Food Additive Authorisations, E 960a–c conditions of use (19 February 2026), under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides |
| Saccharin E954 | 80 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 954, Saccharins. only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1,2 % vol; ‘ Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer ’ (original wort content less than 6 %) except for ‘ Obergäriges Einfachbier ’ ; Beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘ oud bruin ’ type. Note (52): Maximum usable levels are expressed in free imide. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 954, Saccharins |
| Sodium ascorbate E301 | quantum satis | — | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Sodium saccharin E954 | 80 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 954, Saccharins. only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1,2 % vol; ‘ Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer ’ (original wort content less than 6 %) except for ‘ Obergäriges Einfachbier ’ ; Beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘ oud bruin ’ type. Note (52): Maximum usable levels are expressed in free imide. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 954, Saccharins |
| Steviol glycosides from fermentation E960b | 70 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960b, Steviol glycosides from fermentation. only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1.2% volume.; ‘Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer’ (original wort content less than 6%) except for ‘Obergäriges Einfachbier’; beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘oud bruin’ type. Note (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. Note (60): Expressed as steviol equivalents. | FSA/FSS Register of Food Additive Authorisations, E 960a–c conditions of use (19 February 2026), under E 960b, Steviol glycosides from fermentation |
| Steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (Steviol glycosides from Stevia) E960 | 70 mg/kg or mg/l | only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1.2% volume.; ‘Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer’ (original wort content less than 6%) except for ‘Obergäriges Einfachbier’; beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘oud bruin’ type. Note (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. Note (60): Expressed as steviol equivalents. | FSA/FSS Register of Food Additive Authorisations, E 960a–c conditions of use (19 February 2026) |
| Sucralose E955 | — | (1) ML 250: only alcohol-free beer or with an alcohol content not exceeding 1,2 % vol; ‘ Bière de table/Tafelbier/Table beer ’ (original wort content less than 6 %) except for ‘ Obergäriges Einfachbier ’ ; Beers with a minimum acidity of 30 milli-equivalents expressed as NaOH; Brown beers of the ‘ oud bruin ’ type; (2) ML 10: only energy-reduced beer. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
Permitted as members of an additive group
Annex II authorises some additives collectively. Each group below shares one set of conditions for this category.
E 200 – 202: Sorbic acid – potassium sorbate (SA) — 2 additivesML = 200. only beer in kegs containing more than 0,5 % added fermentable sugar and/or fruit juices or concentrates. Note (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. Note (2): The maximum level is applicable to the sum and the levels are expressed as the free acid.
- Potassium sorbate E202
- Sorbic acid E200
E 210–213: Benzoic acid — benzoates (BA) — 4 additivesML = 200. only alcohol-free beer; beer in kegs containing more than 0,5 % added fermentable sugar and/or fruit juices or concentrates. Note (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. Note (2): The maximum level is applicable to the sum and the levels are expressed as the free acid.
- Benzoic acid E210
- Calcium benzoate E213
- Potassium benzoate E212
- Sodium benzoate E211
E 220–228: Sulphur dioxide — sulphites — 8 additives(1) ML 20: no further restriction; (2) ML 50: only beer with a second fermentation in the cask. Note (3): Maximum levels are expressed as SO 2 relate to the total quantity, available from all sources, an SO 2 content of not more than 10 mg/kg or 10 mg/l is not considered to be present.
- Calcium hydrogen sulphite E227
- Calcium sulphite E226
- Potassium bisulfite E228
- Potassium metabisulfite E224
- Sodium bisulfite E222
- Sodium metabisulfite E223
- Sodium sulfite E221
- Sulfur dioxide E220