Is E153 halal or haram?
Vegetable carbon · Color (black)
E153 (Vegetable carbon) is generally classified as suspect (mashbooh). Labelled "vegetable carbon" it is plant-derived and halal, but generic carbon black can be made from animal bone char. Verify the source.
What is E153?
E153, listed on labels as Vegetable carbon, is a colouring agent that gives food a specific hue. You'll most often find it in packaged and processed foods.
Is E153 halal? The verdict
E153 is mashbooh (doubtful). Labelled "vegetable carbon" it is plant-derived and halal, but generic carbon black can be made from animal bone char. Verify the source. Manufacturers aren't required to print the source on the label, so unless the pack states a plant/vegetable source or carries a recognised halal certification (HMC, JAKIM, MUI, IFANCA), the safest choice is to avoid it.
How to check E153 on a label
Scan the ingredient list for E153 and its other names. If it's present and the source isn't stated, treat the product as doubtful. A barcode or photo scan with Halal Food AI flags E153 automatically and tells you whether the product declares a halal source.
Other names & label terms to scan for
Vegetable carbonCarbon blackINS 153E153
Bottom line
E153 is doubtful (mashbooh) — avoid unless the source is stated as halal or the product is halal-certified.
Stop guessing in the aisle
Halal Food AI flags E153 and every other suspect or not-halal additive automatically — just scan the barcode or snap the ingredient list. Plain-language verdicts, 25+ languages.