Halal E-numbers checker
Type the E-number from the ingredients list to see what the additive is usually made from, and whether it's generally halal, depends on its source, or needs a halal certificate.
| Code | Additive | Usually made from | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| E100 | Curcumin | Plant | Generally halal |
| E102 | Tartrazine | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E110 | Sunset Yellow FCF | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E120 | Carmine (cochineal)Made from insects; scholars and certifiers disagree about it. | Insects | Scholars differ |
| E124 | Ponceau 4R | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E129 | Allura Red AC | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E133 | Brilliant Blue FCF | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E150a | Plain caramel | Sugar | Generally halal |
| E150c | Ammonia caramel | Sugar | Generally halal |
| E150d | Sulphite ammonia caramel | Sugar | Generally halal |
| E153 | Vegetable carbon | Plant | Generally halal |
| E160a | Carotenes (beta-carotene)Often supplied in beadlets made with gelatin. Look for “vegetarian”, “vegan” or a halal certificate. | Plants, algae or synthetic | Depends on the source |
| E160b | Annatto | Plant | Generally halal |
| E160c | Paprika extract | Plant | Generally halal |
| E162 | Beetroot red | Plant | Generally halal |
| E163 | Anthocyanins | Plant | Generally halal |
| E171 | Titanium dioxide | Mineral | Generally halal |
| E200 | Sorbic acid | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E202 | Potassium sorbate | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E211 | Sodium benzoate | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E220 | Sulphur dioxide | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E250 | Sodium nitrite | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E260 | Acetic acid | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E270 | Lactic acid | Microbial fermentation | Generally halal |
| E282 | Calcium propionate | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E296 | Malic acid | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E300 | Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E304 | Ascorbyl palmitatePlant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Vitamin C with plant or animal fat | Depends on the source |
| E306 | Tocopherol-rich extract (vitamin E) | Plant | Generally halal |
| E320 | Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E322 | LecithinsUsually soy or sunflower; egg lecithin is also halal. | Soy, sunflower or egg | Generally halal |
| E330 | Citric acid | Microbial fermentation | Generally halal |
| E331 | Sodium citrates | Microbial fermentation | Generally halal |
| E339 | Sodium phosphates | Mineral | Generally halal |
| E401 | Sodium alginate | Seaweed | Generally halal |
| E406 | Agar | Seaweed | Generally halal |
| E407 | Carrageenan | Seaweed | Generally halal |
| E410 | Locust bean gum (carob) | Plant | Generally halal |
| E412 | Guar gum | Plant | Generally halal |
| E414 | Gum arabic (acacia gum) | Plant | Generally halal |
| E415 | Xanthan gum | Microbial fermentation | Generally halal |
| E420 | Sorbitol | Starch | Generally halal |
| E422 | Glycerol (glycerin)Can come from animal fat, plant oil or petrochemicals. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal fat, plant oil or synthetic | Depends on the source |
| E433 | Polysorbate 80Plant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal or plant fats | Depends on the source |
| E440 | Pectin | Plant | Generally halal |
| E441 | GelatinUsually made from pork or beef. Halal only from fish or halal-slaughtered animals, with a certificate. | Pork, beef or fish | Not halal unless certified |
| E450 | Diphosphates | Mineral | Generally halal |
| E460 | Cellulose | Plant | Generally halal |
| E466 | Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) | Plant | Generally halal |
| E470a | Salts of fatty acidsPlant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal or plant fats | Depends on the source |
| E471 | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acidsPlant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal or plant fats | Depends on the source |
| E472 | Esters of mono- and diglycerides (E472a–f)Plant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal or plant fats | Depends on the source |
| E472e | DATEM (diacetyl tartaric esters of mono- and diglycerides)Plant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal or plant fats | Depends on the source |
| E473 | Sucrose esters of fatty acidsPlant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal or plant fats | Depends on the source |
| E475 | Polyglycerol esters of fatty acidsPlant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal or plant fats | Depends on the source |
| E476 | Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) | Castor oil | Generally halal |
| E477 | Propylene glycol esters of fatty acidsPlant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal or plant fats | Depends on the source |
| E481 | Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylatePlant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal or plant fats | Depends on the source |
| E482 | Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylatePlant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal or plant fats | Depends on the source |
| E491 | Sorbitan monostearatePlant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal or plant fats | Depends on the source |
| E500 | Sodium carbonates (baking soda) | Mineral | Generally halal |
| E503 | Ammonium carbonates | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E542 | Edible bone phosphateMade from animal bones; halal only from halal-slaughtered animals, with a certificate. | Animal bones | Not halal unless certified |
| E551 | Silicon dioxide | Mineral | Generally halal |
| E570 | Fatty acids (stearic acid)Plant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal or plant fats | Depends on the source |
| E572 | Magnesium stearatePlant-based versions are common. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal or plant fats | Depends on the source |
| E621 | Monosodium glutamate (MSG) | Microbial fermentation | Generally halal |
| E627 | Disodium guanylateOften made by fermentation, but it can come from meat or fish. | Fermentation, or meat and fish | Depends on the source |
| E631 | Disodium inosinateOften made by fermentation, but it can come from meat or fish. | Fermentation, or meat and fish | Depends on the source |
| E635 | Disodium 5′-ribonucleotidesOften made by fermentation, but it can come from meat or fish. | Fermentation, or meat and fish | Depends on the source |
| E640 | GlycineUsually synthetic, but it can be made from gelatin. | Synthetic, or from gelatin | Depends on the source |
| E901 | Beeswax | Bees | Generally halal |
| E903 | Carnauba wax | Plant | Generally halal |
| E904 | ShellacMade from insects; scholars and certifiers disagree about it. | Insects | Scholars differ |
| E913 | LanolinFrom the wool of living sheep. | Sheep's wool | Generally halal |
| E920 | L-cysteineNot considered halal when made from human hair; versions made by fermentation are. | Hair, feathers or fermentation | Depends on the source |
| E950 | Acesulfame K | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E951 | Aspartame | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E955 | Sucralose | Synthetic | Generally halal |
| E960 | Steviol glycosides (stevia) | Plant | Generally halal |
| E965 | Maltitol | Starch | Generally halal |
| E966 | Lactitol | Milk | Generally halal |
| E967 | Xylitol | Plant | Generally halal |
| E1105 | Lysozyme | Egg | Generally halal |
| E1422 | Acetylated distarch adipate | Starch | Generally halal |
| E1442 | Hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate | Starch | Generally halal |
| E1510 | EthanolAlcohol. Views differ on small amounts used as a solvent; many people avoid it. | Alcohol | Scholars differ |
| E1518 | Glyceryl triacetate (triacetin)Can come from animal fat, plant oil or petrochemicals. Look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate. | Animal fat, plant oil or synthetic | Depends on the source |
| E1520 | Propylene glycol | Synthetic | Generally halal |
Ingredients people often ask about
How to read the results
- Generally halal Plant, mineral, synthetic or other permissible sources. Fine unless the product says otherwise.
- Depends on the source Can be made from plant or animal sources. Check for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate.
- Not halal unless certified Usually from pork or non-halal animals. Only halal with a certificate.
- Scholars differ Scholars and certifiers disagree. Follow the view you trust.
Why the same code can be halal or not
An E-number names a substance, not where it came from. E471, for example, is made from fatty acids, and those can come from palm or soybean oil or from animal fat. The label usually doesn't say which, so the code alone can't settle it.
How to be sure
Look for a halal certificate from a recognised body on the pack, or ask the manufacturer which source they use. Products labelled vegetarian or vegan avoid animal sources, though they may still contain alcohol.
This list describes where additives usually come from. It isn't a religious ruling, and manufacturers can change their sources. Last reviewed: 14 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is E471 halal?
It depends on the source. E471 (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids) can be made from plant oils or from animal fat. Plant-based E471 is common; look for “vegetable origin” or a halal certificate.
Is gelatin (E441) halal?
Only if it's made from fish or from halal-slaughtered animals and certified. Most gelatin is made from pork or beef, so without a certificate it's best avoided.
Is there an E-number for pork gelatin?
No. There's no separate code for pork gelatin. Labels usually say “gelatin”, sometimes E441; if the source isn't stated, look for a halal certificate.
Is E120 (carmine) halal?
Carmine is a red colour made from cochineal insects. Scholars and certifiers disagree about it, so it's marked “Scholars differ”.
Is E322 lecithin halal?
Yes, generally. Lecithin usually comes from soy or sunflower, and egg lecithin is halal as well.
Are synthetic additives halal?
Most synthetic additives are made from permissible materials, so they're generally treated as halal. Watch for alcohol (E1510) and for additives carried in gelatin; a halal certificate covers both.
Download the list
The full list is free to reuse under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence (CC BY 4.0): use it in apps, research, school projects or on your own website, as long as you credit Oye Teknoloji and link back to this page.
Link to this list
Copy this snippet to credit the list on your site:
<a href="https://oyeteknoloji.com/tools/halal-e-numbers/">Halal E-numbers checker – Oye Teknoloji</a>