E-Code Reference: Halal Status of Food Additives
Every E-code you see on a label, with a clear halal / suspect / not halal verdict and the reason behind it. Use the search to jump to a specific code, or scan the table below.
How to read this table
- Halal — the additive is permissible in all common forms (typically plant-, mineral-, or microbial-derived).
- Suspect (Mashbooh) — the source determines the verdict, and labels rarely disclose the source. Avoid unless the product carries halal certification or specifies a halal source.
- Not halal — the additive is typically derived from non-halal animal sources (commonly pork) or insects.
Halal status can vary by manufacturer. The table reflects the typical industrial source. For products carrying recognized halal certification (HMC, JAKIM, MUI, ISA, IFANCA), follow the certificate.
HalalSuspectNot halal
| E-Code | Common name | Function | Halal status | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
E100 | Curcumin (turmeric) | Color (yellow) | Halal | Plant-derived (turmeric rhizome). |
E101 | Riboflavin (B2) | Color (yellow) | Suspect | Usually microbial/synthetic. Animal-derived forms exist; verify source. |
E102 | Tartrazine | Color (yellow) | Halal | Synthetic azo dye. |
E110 | Sunset Yellow FCF | Color (orange) | Halal | Synthetic. |
E120 | Carmine / Cochineal | Color (red) | Not halal | Extracted from crushed cochineal insects. Most scholars classify insect derivatives as not halal. |
E122 | Carmoisine | Color (red) | Halal | Synthetic azo dye. |
E124 | Ponceau 4R | Color (red) | Halal | Synthetic azo dye. |
E129 | Allura Red AC | Color (red) | Halal | Synthetic. |
E131 | Patent Blue V | Color (blue) | Halal | Synthetic. |
E132 | Indigo carmine | Color (blue) | Halal | Synthetic. |
E140 | Chlorophyll | Color (green) | Halal | Plant-derived. |
E150a | Plain caramel | Color (brown) | Halal | Heated carbohydrate; no animal involvement. |
E150d | Sulphite ammonia caramel | Color (brown) | Halal | Synthetic. |
E160a | Beta-carotene | Color (orange) | Suspect | Plant origin = halal; gelatin coating on the carrier (especially in beadlets) is the concern. |
E161g | Canthaxanthin | Color (orange) | Halal | Synthetic. |
E162 | Beetroot red / Betanin | Color (red) | Halal | Plant-derived (beetroot). |
E200 | Sorbic acid | Preservative | Halal | Synthetic / plant-derived. |
E211 | Sodium benzoate | Preservative | Halal | Synthetic. |
E220 | Sulphur dioxide | Preservative | Halal | Mineral / synthetic. |
E250 | Sodium nitrite | Preservative (cured meats) | Suspect | Additive itself is halal; usage signals processed meat — verify the meat source. |
E270 | Lactic acid | Acidity regulator | Suspect | Usually fermentation-derived (halal); some industrial supplies use animal sources. Verify. |
E280 | Propionic acid | Preservative | Halal | Synthetic. |
E300 | Ascorbic acid (Vit C) | Antioxidant | Halal | Synthetic / fermentation-derived. |
E322 | Lecithin | Emulsifier | Suspect | Soy lecithin = halal; egg-yolk lecithin = halal but rare; without source, treat as suspect. |
E330 | Citric acid | Acidity regulator | Halal | Microbial fermentation. |
E331 | Sodium citrate | Acidity regulator | Halal | Salt of citric acid. |
E400 | Alginic acid | Thickener | Halal | Seaweed-derived. |
E401 | Sodium alginate | Thickener | Halal | Seaweed-derived. |
E406 | Agar | Gelling agent | Halal | Seaweed-derived; common halal substitute for gelatin. |
E407 | Carrageenan | Thickener | Halal | Seaweed-derived. |
E410 | Locust bean gum | Thickener | Halal | Plant-derived. |
E412 | Guar gum | Thickener | Halal | Plant-derived. |
E415 | Xanthan gum | Thickener | Halal | Microbial fermentation. |
E440 | Pectin | Gelling agent | Halal | Plant-derived (citrus / apple). |
E441 | Gelatin | Gelling agent | Not halal | Typically derived from pork bones/skin in industrial markets. Halal/fish gelatin must be explicitly labeled. |
E470 | Salts of fatty acids | Emulsifier | Suspect | Plant- or animal-derived. Without source, treat as suspect. |
E471 | Mono- and diglycerides | Emulsifier | Suspect | Plant- or animal-derived (incl. pork fat). "From vegetable origin" labelling makes it halal. |
E472e | DATEM | Emulsifier (bread) | Suspect | Same source ambiguity as E471. |
E481 | Sodium stearoyl lactylate | Emulsifier | Suspect | Stearate component may be animal-derived. Verify source. |
E500 | Sodium carbonate | Acidity regulator | Halal | Mineral / synthetic. |
E501 | Potassium carbonate | Acidity regulator | Halal | Mineral / synthetic. |
E516 | Calcium sulphate | Firming agent | Halal | Mineral. |
E542 | Bone phosphate | Anticaking | Not halal | Derived from animal bones; without halal certification, treat as not halal. |
E551 | Silicon dioxide | Anticaking | Halal | Mineral. |
E621 | MSG (monosodium glutamate) | Flavour enhancer | Halal | Microbial fermentation. |
E631 | Disodium inosinate | Flavour enhancer | Suspect | Often derived from fish or meat by-products; verify source. |
E635 | Disodium ribonucleotides | Flavour enhancer | Suspect | Animal source possible (often combined with E631). Verify. |
E901 | Beeswax | Glazing agent | Halal | Bee-derived; majority view considers it halal. |
E904 | Shellac | Glazing agent | Not halal | Insect-derived (lac beetle secretion); most scholars classify as not halal. |
E920 | L-Cysteine | Dough conditioner | Not halal | ~80% derived from human hair (typically not Islamically slaughtered if from animals); 8–10% from pig bristles. Synthetic forms exist but are rarely labeled. |
E1100 | Amylase | Enzyme (baking) | Suspect | Microbial / plant / animal sources possible. Verify if "microbial enzyme" not stated. |
E1200 | Polydextrose | Bulking agent | Halal | Synthetic from glucose. |
E1410 | Monostarch phosphate | Modified starch | Halal | Plant-derived. |
E1422 | Acetylated distarch adipate | Modified starch | Halal | Plant-derived. |
E422 | Glycerol / Glycerin | Humectant / sweetener | Suspect | Plant- or animal-derived (including pork). Without "vegetable glycerin" labelling, treat as suspect. |
E570 | Stearic acid | Glazing / emulsifier | Suspect | Plant or animal source. Animal-derived (pork or beef tallow) is industrially common. |