Is E100 halal?

What is E100?

Curcumin is the yellow pigment of turmeric root. Manufacturers grind the dried root, extract the colour with approved solvents and purify it by crystallisation. It is also sold as an aluminium lake, a powder form that colours dry foods without dissolving.

Why it's marked “Generally halal”

It comes from a spice plant and involves no animal material, so the colour itself raises no halal issue. One catch: curcumin does not dissolve in water, so liquid colourings often blend it with emulsifiers such as polysorbates (E433), which can be plant- or animal-derived. Ethanol is one of the permitted extraction solvents, but residues are strictly limited.

How to check the label

The E100 itself needs no special check. In drinks and other water-based foods, look at the emulsifiers listed next to it. A halal certificate on the finished product also covers carriers that are not listed.

Where you'll find it

• mustard
• sauces and soups
• desserts
• sweets
• soft drinks

Good to know

• EFSA re-evaluated curcumin in 2010 and set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 3 mg per kg of body weight per day.
• EU rules list the only solvents allowed for extraction, including ethanol, acetone and hexane, and set maximum limits for their residues.
• On labels it may appear as curcumin, turmeric yellow or E100. Ground turmeric used as a spice is an ingredient, not E100.

Similar additives

• E153 Vegetable carbon Generally halal
• E160b Annatto Generally halal
• E160c Paprika extract Generally halal
• E162 Beetroot red Generally halal
• E163 Anthocyanins Generally halal
• E306 Tocopherol-rich extract (vitamin E) Generally halal

See all 89 E-numbers in the halal checker

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.

Sources

1. EFSA re-evaluation of curcumin (E 100) (2010)

Frequently asked questions