5.1 Cocoa and chocolate products as covered by Directive 2000/36/EC
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 5.
Listed for this category
| Additive | Maximum level | Conditions | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acesulfame potassium E950 | 500 mg/kg or mg/l | only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Advantame E969 | 20 mg/kg or mg/l | only energy-reduced or with no added sugars. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Ammonium bicarbonate INS 503(ii) | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 500-504, Carbonates. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 500-504, Carbonates |
| Ammonium carbonate INS 503(i) | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 500-504, Carbonates. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 500-504, Carbonates |
| Ammonium carbonates E503 | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 500-504, Carbonates. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 500-504, Carbonates |
| Ammonium hydroxide E527 | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 524-528, Hydroxides. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 524-528, Hydroxides |
| Ammonium salts of phosphatidic acid E442 | 10,000 mg/kg or mg/l | — | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Aspartame E951 | 2,000 mg/kg or mg/l | only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Aspartame-acesulfame salt E962 | 500 mg/kg or mg/l | only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. 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) |
| Beeswax (yellow and white) E901 | quantum satis | as glazing agent only. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Calcium carbonate E170 | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Calcium hydroxide E526 | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 524-528, Hydroxides. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 524-528, Hydroxides |
| Calcium saccharin E954 | 500 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 954, Saccharins. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. 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 |
| Candelilla wax E902 | quantum satis | as glazing agent only. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Carnauba wax E903 | 500 mg/kg or mg/l | as glazing agent only. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Citric acid E330 | — | (1) ML 5000: no further restriction; (2) ML 10000: only milk chocolate. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol E472c | quantum satis | — | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides E960c | 270 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. 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 |
| Glycerin E422 | quantum satis | — | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Gum arabic (Acacia gum) E414 | quantum satis | as glazing agent only. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Lecithin E322 | quantum satis | Authorised under E 322, Lecithins. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 322, Lecithins |
| Lecithin, partially hydrolysed INS 322(ii) | quantum satis | Authorised under E 322, Lecithins. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 322, Lecithins |
| Magnesium carbonate E504 | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 500-504, Carbonates. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 500-504, Carbonates |
| Magnesium hydroxide E528 | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 524-528, Hydroxides. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 524-528, Hydroxides |
| Magnesium hydroxide carbonate INS 504(ii) | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 500-504, Carbonates. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 500-504, Carbonates |
| Magnesium oxide E530 | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids E471 | quantum satis | — | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Neohesperidine DC E959 | 100 mg/kg or mg/l | only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Neotame E961 | 65 mg/kg or mg/l | only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Pectins E440 | quantum satis | as glazing agent only. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Polyglycerol esters of interesterified ricinoleic acid E476 | 5,000 mg/kg or mg/l | — | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Polyglycitol syrup E964 | 200,000 mg/kg or mg/l | only energy-reduced or with no added sugar Period of application: From 29 November 2012. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Potassium bicarbonate E501 | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 500-504, Carbonates. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 500-504, Carbonates |
| Potassium carbonate E501 | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 500-504, Carbonates. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 500-504, Carbonates |
| Potassium hydroxide E525 | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 524-528, Hydroxides. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 524-528, Hydroxides |
| Potassium saccharin E954 | 500 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 954, Saccharins. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. 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 |
| Rebaudioside AM produced via enzymatic conversion of highly purified stevioside stevia leaf extracts E960c(iv) | 270 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. 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) | 270 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. 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) | 270 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960b, Steviol glycosides from fermentation. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. 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) | 270 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. 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) | 270 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960c, Enzymatically produced steviol glycosides. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. 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 | 500 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 954, Saccharins. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. 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 |
| Shellac, bleached E904 | quantum satis | as glazing agent only. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Sodium bicarbonate E500 | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 500-504, Carbonates. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 500-504, Carbonates |
| Sodium carbonate E500 | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 500-504, Carbonates. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 500-504, Carbonates |
| Sodium hydroxide E524 | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 524-528, Hydroxides. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 524-528, Hydroxides |
| Sodium saccharin E954 | 500 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 954, Saccharins. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. 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 sesquicarbonate INS 500(iii) | 70,000 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 500-504, Carbonates. Note (*): E 170, E 500-504, E 524-528 and E 530: 7 % on dry matter, without fat, expressed as potassium carbonates (1): The additives may be added individually or in combination. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024), under E 500-504, Carbonates |
| Sorbitan tristearate E492 | 10,000 mg/kg or mg/l | — | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Steviol glycosides from fermentation E960b | 270 mg/kg or mg/l | Authorised under E 960b, Steviol glycosides from fermentation. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. 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 | 270 mg/kg or mg/l | only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. 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 | 800 mg/kg or mg/l | only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Tartaric acid E334 | 5,000 mg/kg or mg/l | — | Assimilated Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, Annex II (as at 28 June 2024) |
| Thaumatin E957 | 50 mg/kg or mg/l | only energy-reduced or with no added sugar. | 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.
Group I — 167 additivesquantum satis. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar.
- Acetic acid E260
- Acetic and fatty acid esters of glycerol E472a
- Acetylated distarch adipate E1422
- Acetylated distarch phosphate E1414
- Acetylated oxidized starch E1451
- Agar E406
- Alginic acid E400
- Alpha-tocopherol E307
- Ammonium alginate E403
- Ammonium bicarbonate
- Ammonium carbonate
- Ammonium carbonates E503
- Ammonium hydroxide E527
- Argon E938
- Ascorbic acid E300
- Ascorbyl palmitate E304
- Ascorbyl stearate E304(ii)
- Calcium 5'-guanylate E629
- Calcium 5'-inosinate E633
- Calcium 5'-ribonucleotides E634
- Calcium acetate E263
- Calcium alginate E404
- Calcium ascorbate E302
- Calcium carbonate E170
- Calcium chloride E509
- Calcium citrate E333
- Calcium di-L-glutamate E623
- Calcium gluconate E578
- Calcium hydroxide E526
- Calcium lactate E327
- Calcium malate, D, L-
- Calcium malates E352
- Calcium oxide E529
- Calcium sulfate E516
- Calcium tartrate E354
- Carbon dioxide E290
- Carob bean gum E410
- Carrageenan E407
- Citric acid E330
- Citric and fatty acid esters of glycerol E472c
- Delta-tocopherol E309
- Diacetyltartaric and fatty acid esters of glycerol E472e
- Dicalcium citrate E333(ii)
- Dipotassium 5'-guanylate E628
- Disodium 5'-ribonucleotides E635
- Disodium citrate E331(ii)
- Disodium guanylate E627
- Disodium inosinate E631
- Distarch phosphate E1412
- Erythritol E968
- Ethyl cellulose E462
- Fatty acids E570
- Gamma-tocopherol E308
- Gellan gum E418
- Gluconic acid E574
- Glucono delta-lactone E575
- Glutamic acid E620
- Glycerin E422
- Glycine E640
- Guanylic acid, 5'- E626
- Guar gum E412
- Gum arabic (Acacia gum) E414
- Gum tragacanth E413
- Helium E939
- Hydrochloric acid E507
- Hydrogen E949
- Hydroxypropyl cellulose E463
- Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate E1442
- Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E464
- Hydroxypropyl starch E1440
- Inosinic acid, 5'- E630
- Invertase E1103
- Isomalt (Hydrogenated isomaltulose) E953
- Konjac flour E425
- L-Cysteine E920
- Lactic acid E270
- Lactic and fatty acid esters of glycerol E472b
- Lactitol E966
- Lecithin E322
- Lecithin, partially hydrolysed
- Magnesium carbonate E504
- Magnesium chloride E511
- Magnesium di-L-glutamate E625
- Magnesium hydroxide E528
- Magnesium hydroxide carbonate
- Magnesium oxide E530
- Magnesium salts of fatty acids E470b
- Malic acid E296
- Maltitol
- Maltitol syrup E965
- Mannitol E421
- Mannitol manufactured by fermentation E421(ii)
- Methyl cellulose E461
- Methyl ethyl cellulose E465
- Mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids E472f
- Mono- and di-glycerides of fatty acids E471
- Monoammonium glutamate E624
- Monocalcium citrate E333(i)
- Monopotassium glutamate E622
- Monosodium L-glutamate E621
- Monostarch phosphate E1410
- Nitrogen E941
- Nitrous oxide E942
- Oxidized starch E1404
- Oxygen E948
- Pectins E440
- Phosphated distarch phosphate E1413
- Polydextrose E1200
- Potassium 5’-inosinate E632
- Potassium acetate E261
- Potassium acid tartrate E336
- Potassium alginate E402
- Potassium bicarbonate E501
- Potassium carbonate E501
- Potassium chloride E508
- Potassium citrates E332
- Potassium diacetate
- Potassium dihydrogen citrate
- Potassium gluconate E577
- Potassium hydrogen sulfate E515(ii)
- Potassium hydroxide E525
- Potassium lactate E326
- Potassium malate E351
- Potassium sulfate
- Potassium sulphates E515
- Potassium tartrate
- Powdered cellulose E460
- Processed eucheuma seaweed (PES) E407a
- Sodium acetate E262
- Sodium acid tartrate E335(i)
- Sodium alginate E401
- Sodium ascorbate E301
- Sodium bicarbonate E500
- Sodium carbonate E500
- Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, enzymatically hydrolysed (Cellulose gum, enzymatically hydrolyzed) E469
- Sodium carboxymethylcellulose E466
- Sodium citrate
- Sodium citrates E331
- Sodium diacetate E262
- Sodium dihydrogen citrate
- Sodium DL-malate
- Sodium gluconate E576
- Sodium hydrogen DL-malate
- Sodium hydrogen sulfate
- Sodium hydroxide E524
- Sodium lactate E325
- Sodium malates E350
- Sodium potassium tartrate E337
- Sodium sesquicarbonate
- Sodium sulfate
- Sodium sulphates E514
- Sodium tartrate E335
- Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids E470a
- Sorbitol E420
- Sorbitol syrup
- Soybean hemicellulose E426
- Starch acetate E1420
- Starch sodium octenyl succinate E1450
- Sulfuric acid E513
- Tara gum E417
- Tartaric acid E334
- Tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids E472d
- Tocopherol-rich extract E306
- Triammonium citrate E380
- Tripotassium citrate
- Xanthan gum E415
- Xylitol E967
Group IV: Polyols — 10 additivesquantum satis. only energy-reduced or with no added sugar.
- Erythritol E968
- Isomalt (Hydrogenated isomaltulose) E953
- Lactitol E966
- Maltitol
- Maltitol syrup E965
- Mannitol E421
- Mannitol manufactured by fermentation E421(ii)
- Sorbitol E420
- Sorbitol syrup
- Xylitol E967