Is xanthan gum (E415) halal?

What is E415?

Xanthan gum is a thickening gum made by bacteria. The bacterium Xanthomonas campestris is grown on a sugar solution in large fermenters, and the gum it produces is recovered with ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, then dried and milled into a powder.

Why it's marked “Generally halal”

Xanthan gum comes from bacterial fermentation of sugars, with no animal ingredient. Alcohol is used to separate the gum from the fermentation broth, but it is removed when the gum is dried. For this reason xanthan gum is generally regarded as halal.

How to check the label

No special check is needed. It appears as E415 or xanthan gum. If you want extra certainty, a halal logo on the product also covers the processing steps.

Where you'll find it

• salad dressings
• sauces
• gluten-free bread
• ice cream
• soups

Good to know

• The EU specification states that xanthan gum is purified by recovery with ethanol or propan-2-ol (isopropyl alcohol).
• EFSA re-evaluated xanthan gum in 2017 and found no need for a numerical ADI; very high doses caused abdominal discomfort in some people.

Similar additives

• E270 Lactic acid Generally halal
• E330 Citric acid Generally halal
• E331 Sodium citrates Generally halal
• E621 Monosodium glutamate (MSG) Generally halal
• E401 Sodium alginate Generally halal
• E406 Agar 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 xanthan gum E415 (2017)
2. EU specifications for food additives, Regulation (EU) No 231/2012

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