INS Numbers in an Ingredient List: What INS 300, 330, 211, 471 and Colour (150d) Mean

Read the ingredient list of a biscuit, a packaged juice or a bottle of sauce and you will often meet something like Acidity Regulator (INS 330) or Colour (150d). It looks technical, so most of us skip it. It is actually a simple code, and once you know it, it takes seconds to read.

Quick answer: INS 300 is ascorbic acid (vitamin C), INS 330 is citric acid, INS 211 is sodium benzoate and INS 471 is mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids. The full list is in the table below.

This is a companion to our guide to reading a food label, focused on one part: the additives.

What is an additive?

A food additive is a substance added to food for a technical purpose: to keep it from spoiling, to hold oil and water together, to adjust sourness, to add or keep colour, and so on. Additives are allowed only in specific foods and within set limits under FSSAI’s rules. “Additive” does not automatically mean “harmful”, and “no additives” does not automatically mean “better”. It simply means there is something to read.

The two-part format

On Indian labels, an additive is usually written as a class name followed by the name or number in brackets. FSSAI’s own consumer FAQ gives examples such as Colour (Caramel I) or Colour (150a).

• Class name: what it is there to do, for example preservative, antioxidant, emulsifier, acidity regulator or colour.
• INS number: the code for the specific substance, from the International Numbering System used worldwide. The same compound often has an “E number” in Europe with the same digits.

A rough decoder

The numbers are grouped loosely by job. Treat these ranges as a rule of thumb, not an official table:

• 100s: colours
• 200s: preservatives
• 300s: antioxidants and acidity regulators
• 400s: thickeners, stabilisers and emulsifiers
• 500s: acidity regulators and anti-caking agents
• 600s: flavour enhancers

So “INS 330” is in the 300s, and as the class name beside it says, it is an acidity regulator (citric acid). “INS 211” is in the 200s, a preservative (sodium benzoate).

Quick lookup: common INS numbers on Indian labels

These are standard INS (International Numbering System) numbers you will often see. “Usually there to” describes the job the additive typically does, not whether a product is good or bad.

Not every additive on a pack is on this list, and approved uses and limits differ by food category under FSSAI’s rules. If a number is not here, search “INS” plus the number, or check the FSSAI food additives regulations.

Three things worth knowing

• Flavours are different. Under the labelling rules, flavourings generally do not need an additive number, so you will often see just “added flavour” or “natural flavouring substances”.
• Order still matters. Ingredients are listed in descending order of weight, so an additive near the end is present in a small amount.
• Common does not mean bad. Citric acid, for example, is found naturally in lemons and is widely used. The number only tells you the substance, not whether it suits you.

How to use this in the aisle

• Look at how many additives there are, not just whether there are any.
• Read the class name first; it tells you why it is there.
• If a number is unfamiliar, search “INS” plus the number to see what it is.
• If you have an allergy, a medical condition or a specific diet, ask your doctor or dietitian about particular additives.

What the list cannot tell you

An ingredient list tells you what is in the product, not how much, or whether the amounts are right for your needs. It also cannot show how the ingredients were sourced or whether a given batch was tested. That is the gap Root to Bite exists to explore. Start with how to check an FSSAI licence number and what food claims really mean, then bring your questions to the brand.

Additive rules and approved lists change. For current official requirements, see the FSSAI pages below. This guide is a plain-language introduction, not medical or legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

What does INS mean on a food label?

INS stands for International Numbering System, a worldwide code for food additives. On Indian labels an additive is usually written as a class name followed by its INS number, for example “Acidity Regulator (INS 330)”.

What is INS 300 in food?

INS 300 is ascorbic acid, which is vitamin C. It is typically added as an antioxidant, to help food keep its colour and freshness.

What is INS 330 in food?

INS 330 is citric acid. It is typically added to adjust acidity and give a sour taste, and it also occurs naturally in citrus fruit.

What is INS 211 in food?

INS 211 is sodium benzoate, a preservative used in some drinks, sauces and pickles to slow spoilage.

What is INS 471 in food?

INS 471 is mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, an emulsifier that helps keep oil and water mixed and gives a smooth texture, for example in bread and ice cream.

Are INS numbers the same as E numbers?

They generally use the same digits for the same additive, since E numbers are the European version of the same system. For example INS 330 and E330 are both citric acid. An INS number does not always have an E number.

Sources

• FSSAI: Frequently asked questions (labelling and additives)
• FSSAI: Labelling and Display regulations and amendments

General information only, not medical or legal advice. The number ranges above are a rule of thumb. No brand sponsored or reviewed this article.