# Food Label Evidence > Nutri-Score, front-of-pack labelling and whether any of it changes what people buy. Food Label Evidence covers European front-of-pack labelling research, Nutri-Score validation, health-claim regulation, and how badly humans estimate portions — the reason label-scanning apps exist at all. ## About this source - **Publisher:** Stéphane Sprauer - **Editorial stance:** Independent. We describe what the evidence shows, including when it is weak or contested. - **Evidence base:** 61 peer-reviewed citations, each linked to its PubMed record or DOI. - **Languages:** 42 European languages. Add a language prefix to any URL, e.g. `https://foodlabelevidence.org/de/`. - **Licence:** Content may be quoted with attribution to Food Label Evidence (https://foodlabelevidence.org). - **Not medical advice:** Educational content only. ## How to cite this site > Food Label Evidence. "". https://foodlabelevidence.org. Accessed . ## Home - [Food Label Evidence](https://foodlabelevidence.org/): Front-of-pack labelling, Nutri-Score validation, health claims and why humans are so bad at estimating portions. ## Nutri-Score - [Does Nutri-Score actually change what people buy?](https://foodlabelevidence.org/nutri-score/): Systematic reviews of Nutri-Score and front-of-pack nutrition labelling — effects on purchasing, validation, and reformulation. ## Portions - [Why you cannot estimate a portion](https://foodlabelevidence.org/portion-estimation/): Systematic reviews of portion-size estimation error and recall error in dietary assessment, plus image-based alternatives. ## Additives - [Additives and ingredients](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/): What 29 common food additives and ingredients actually are, and which of them are a genuine gluten risk. - [Curcumin (E100): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e100-curcumin/): The yellow pigment of turmeric, extracted with solvent and standardised. Not a gluten risk. - [Cochineal / carminic acid (E120): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e120-cochineal/): A deep red pigment extracted from the cochineal insect. Not a gluten risk. - [Plain caramel (E150a): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e150a-caramel-colour/): Caramelised carbohydrate, the most common brown colouring in food and drink. Almost always fine. - [Carotenes (E160a): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e160a-carotenes/): Orange-yellow pigments, either extracted from plants or synthesised. Not a gluten risk. - [Titanium dioxide (E171): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e171-titanium-dioxide/): A brilliant white opacifier, historically used in confectionery coatings and icing. Not a gluten risk. - [Sorbic acid (E200): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e200-sorbic-acid/): Inhibits mould and yeast, widely used in baked goods, cheese and drinks. Not a gluten risk. - [Sodium benzoate (E211): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e211-sodium-benzoate/): A preservative for acidic foods, especially soft drinks and dressings. Not a gluten risk. - [Sulphur dioxide (E220): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e220-sulphur-dioxide/): Preserves colour and inhibits microbes in dried fruit, wine and processed potato. Not a gluten risk. - [Sodium nitrite (E250): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e250-sodium-nitrite/): Cures meat, fixes the pink colour and suppresses Clostridium botulinum. Not a gluten risk. - [Ascorbic acid (E300): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e300-ascorbic-acid/): Vitamin C, used as an antioxidant and as a flour treatment agent. Not a gluten risk. - [Lecithin (E322): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e322-lecithin/): An emulsifier that keeps fat and water mixed; ubiquitous in chocolate and baked goods. Not a gluten risk. - [Citric acid (E330): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e330-citric-acid/): The most widely used acidulant in food, giving sharpness and controlling pH. Almost always fine. - [Carrageenan (E407): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e407-carrageenan/): A gelling and thickening agent, common in dairy and plant milks. Not a gluten risk. - [Guar gum (E412): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e412-guar-gum/): A thickener and binder, heavily used in gluten-free baking to replace gluten's structure. Not a gluten risk. - [Xanthan gum (E415): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e415-xanthan-gum/): A fermentation-derived thickener that mimics gluten's elasticity in dough. Almost always fine. - [Pectin (E440): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e440-pectin/): The setting agent in jam, extracted from fruit. Not a gluten risk. - [Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids (E471): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e471-mono-and-diglycerides/): The most common emulsifier in processed food, from bread to ice cream. Not a gluten risk. - [Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) (E476): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e476-pgpr/): Reduces the viscosity of molten chocolate so it flows and moulds cleanly. Not a gluten risk. - [Monosodium glutamate (MSG) (E621): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e621-monosodium-glutamate/): The sodium salt of glutamic acid, which produces the savoury umami taste. Almost always fine. - [Aspartame (E951): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e951-aspartame/): An intense sweetener made of two amino acids, roughly 200 times as sweet as sugar. Not a gluten risk. - [Steviol glycosides (E960): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e960-steviol-glycosides/): Intense sweeteners extracted from the stevia leaf. Not a gluten risk. - [Maltitol (E965): what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/e965-maltitol/): A sugar alcohol used in sugar-free confectionery. Worth checking. - [Modified starch: what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/modified-starch/): Starch chemically or physically altered to thicken, stabilise or resist heat. Worth checking. - [Glucose syrup: what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/glucose-syrup/): A sugar syrup produced by hydrolysing starch. Almost always fine. - [Maltodextrin: what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/maltodextrin/): A short-chain starch hydrolysate used as a bulking agent and carrier. Almost always fine. - [Dextrin: what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/dextrin/): Partially hydrolysed starch, used as a coating and binder. Worth checking. - [Natural flavouring: what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/natural-flavouring/): A catch-all term for flavour preparations obtained from plant or animal material. Worth checking. - [Malt extract: what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/malt-extract/): A sweet syrup made from germinated grain, used for flavour and colour. Worth checking. - [Brewer's yeast: what it is and whether it contains gluten](https://foodlabelevidence.org/additive/brewers-yeast/): Yeast recovered from brewing, used as a savoury flavouring and supplement. Worth checking. ## About - [About Food Label Evidence](https://foodlabelevidence.org/about/): Who publishes Food Label Evidence, how pages are researched, and how the site makes money. - [Editorial policy](https://foodlabelevidence.org/editorial-policy/): How Food Label Evidence selects evidence, scores products and handles conflicts of interest. - [Affiliate and partnership disclosure](https://foodlabelevidence.org/disclosure/): Every commercial relationship that could affect what you read on Food Label Evidence. - [Privacy](https://foodlabelevidence.org/privacy/): What Food Label Evidence collects — which is close to nothing. ## Research - [New research](https://foodlabelevidence.org/research/): Newly indexed peer-reviewed research relevant to Food Label Evidence, updated weekly from PubMed and Crossref. - [Research digest, 8 August 2026](https://foodlabelevidence.org/research/2026-08-08/): No newly indexed research matched this site's topics in the week of 8 August 2026. ## Related sites in this network - [GLP-1 Evidence](https://glp1facts.org): What the trials actually show about semaglutide, tirzepatide and the rest of the GLP-1 class. - [Fasting Evidence](https://fastingevidence.org): Intermittent fasting, time-restricted eating and meal timing, judged on the trial data. - [Metabolism Review](https://metabolismreview.org): Energy expenditure, insulin resistance and metabolic adaptation, without the folklore. - [Weight Loss Evidence](https://weightlossevidence.org): Diets, drugs, behaviour and maintenance — ranked by the strength of the evidence behind them. - [Celiac Wire](https://celiacwire.org): Coeliac disease news, guidelines and research — plus the practical business of eating. - [Sleep Evidence](https://sleepevidence.org): Sleep, circadian rhythm and the wearables that claim to measure both. - [App Evidence Index](https://appevidenceindex.com): Health and lifestyle apps reviewed on evidence, privacy and dark patterns — not on vibes. - [Fit App Science](https://fitappscience.com): Fitness and training apps tested against the behaviour-change literature. - [EV Ground Truth](https://evgroundtruth.com): Electric cars reviewed on real range, charging behaviour and life-cycle emissions. - [Running Gear Science](https://runninggearscience.com): Running shoes and kit reviewed against biomechanics and running-economy research. - [The Book Verdict](https://checkthecitations.com): Health, science and self-improvement books fact-checked against the literature they cite. - [Sound Verdict](https://therecordverdict.com): Music reviews with production notes — and the science of why records feel the way they do. - [Synth Science](https://producerscience.com): Electronic music production technique, grounded in psychoacoustics and signal theory. - [DJ Gear Lab](https://djgearscience.com): Controllers, mixers and monitoring reviewed — including the hearing-damage maths nobody prints. - [Gut Brain Evidence](https://gutbrainevidence.org): The gut-brain axis, the microbiome and dietary fibre — separated from the probiotic marketing. - [IBD Evidence](https://ibdevidence.org): Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis — guidelines, biologics, diet and the trigger-food question. - [Skin Nutrition Evidence](https://skinnutritionevidence.org): What diet does and does not do to your skin — acne, ageing, collagen and photoprotection. - [Travel Health Evidence](https://travelhealthevidence.org): Jet lag, travellers' diarrhoea, food safety and eating with an allergy abroad. - [Meditation Evidence](https://meditationevidence.org): Mindfulness, breathwork and meditation apps — effect sizes, and the adverse effects nobody mentions. - [Supplement Evidence](https://supplementevidence.org): Vitamin D, melatonin, magnesium and omega-3 — what the large trials found, and what is in the bottle. - [Screen Time Evidence](https://screentimeevidence.org): Screen time and wellbeing, digital detox trials, notifications and sleep. - [Carbon Evidence](https://carbonevidence.org): Personal carbon footprints, life-cycle assessment, and which changes actually move the number. - [Habit Evidence](https://habitevidence.org): Behaviour change, craving and relapse prevention — what actually has trial support. - [The EV Route](https://theevroute.com): Planning an electric road trip around real range, real charge curves and where the chargers actually are. - [Charging Compared](https://chargingcompared.com): European charging networks compared on price, reliability and whether your card will work. - [Motorway Food](https://motorwayfood.com): Where to actually eat on a long drive — including with coeliac disease, an allergy or a restricted diet. - [Family Road Travel](https://familyroadtravel.com): Long drives with children — stop cadence, facilities, accessibility and what the evidence says about breaks. - [EV Across Europe](https://evacrosseurope.com): Country-by-country electric vehicle ownership: charging costs, incentives, infrastructure and cross-border roaming. - [Evidence Network](https://evidencenetwork.eu): A network of cited, multilingual reference sites on health, technology and sound.