Not halal unless certified
- Usually made from
- Animal bones
- Used as
- anti-caking agent, emulsifier
- Vegan
- No
Made from animal bones; halal only from halal-slaughtered animals, with a certificate.
What is E542?
A mixture of calcium phosphates, mainly tricalcium phosphate, made from animal bones. The bones are cleaned, degreased and processed so that mostly their mineral part remains. It is the calcium phosphate of bone itself, not a phosphate made from rock or by synthesis.
Why it's marked “Not halal unless certified”
The raw material is animal bone, and the label rarely says which animal it came from or how it was slaughtered. Pig bone is not halal, and bone from cattle not slaughtered the halal way is not accepted by many. Calcium phosphates made from minerals carry a different number (E341).
Where views differ
Some scholars hold that bones of permissible animals stay clean even without halal slaughter, and some argue that heavy processing changes a material's nature. Others accept only bones from halal-slaughtered animals.
How to check the label
Look for a halal certificate from a recognised body that covers the bone source. If the pack only says E542 or bone phosphate, ask the manufacturer which animal the bones come from.
Where you'll find it
- powdered foods
- dry mixes
- mineral supplements
Good to know
- JECFA lists it as INS 542 with the synonym edible bone phosphate, under a group limit of 70 mg/kg body weight per day for phosphorus from all sources.
- E542 is not on the EU's list of authorised food additives, and it has no specification under Regulation (EU) No 231/2012.
Similar additives
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
Frequently asked questions
Is E542 halal?
Not halal unless certified. The raw material is animal bone, and the label rarely says which animal it came from or how it was slaughtered. Pig bone is not halal, and bone from cattle not slaughtered the halal way is not accepted by many. Calcium phosphates made from minerals carry a different number (E341).
What is E542 made from?
A mixture of calcium phosphates, mainly tricalcium phosphate, made from animal bones. The bones are cleaned, degreased and processed so that mostly their mineral part remains. It is the calcium phosphate of bone itself, not a phosphate made from rock or by synthesis.
Is E542 vegan?
No. E542 comes from an animal source.