E-Numbers: halal or haram?
Food additives explained in plain English — what each one is, why it has the status it has, and which foods it turns up in.
Tap any row for the full explanation.
| E-number | Name | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E100 | Curcumin | No concern |
E100 — Curcumin What it is. The yellow colour from turmeric root. Why it is marked "no concern". It is a plant extract, so no animal-source question arises. Where you meet it. Curries, mustard, snack seasoning, rice dishes. | ||
| E120 | Carmine (cochineal) | Needs verification |
E120 — Carmine (cochineal) What it is. A red colour made from dried cochineal insects. Why it is marked "needs verification". Scholars differ on ingredients derived from insects, so it is treated as doubtful rather than assumed permissible. Where you meet it. Strawberry yoghurts, sweets, red sauces and drinks. | ||
| E160a | Carotenes | Needs verification |
E160a — Carotenes What it is. An orange-yellow colour, in itself plant-based. Why it is marked "needs verification". The colour is fine; the question is the carrier it is dissolved in, which can be gelatine and is not declared. Where you meet it. Margarine, cheese, juices, soft drinks. | ||
| E161g | Canthaxanthin | Needs verification |
E161g — Canthaxanthin What it is. An orange-red colour. Why it is marked "needs verification". Same carrier question as the carotenes — the colour sits in something the label does not name. Where you meet it. Sausage casings, some drinks, fish feed. | ||
| E202 | Potassium sorbate | No concern |
E202 — Potassium sorbate What it is. A preservative that stops mould and yeast. Why it is marked "no concern". It is manufactured synthetically, with no animal-source pathway. Where you meet it. Cheese, dried fruit, soft drinks, bakery. | ||
| E296 | Malic acid | No concern |
E296 — Malic acid What it is. A sour-tasting acid, naturally found in apples. Why it is marked "no concern". Produced synthetically or from fruit. Where you meet it. Sweets, fruit drinks, sherbet. | ||
| E300 | Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) | No concern |
E300 — Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) What it is. Vitamin C, used as an antioxidant. Why it is marked "no concern". Made by fermentation or synthesis from plant sugars. Where you meet it. Juices, cereals, cured meat, bakery. | ||
| E304 | Ascorbyl palmitate | Needs verification |
E304 — Ascorbyl palmitate What it is. Vitamin C joined to a fatty acid so it dissolves in fat. Why it is marked "needs verification". The fatty acid can come from plants or from animal fat, and the label never says which. Where you meet it. Oils, infant formula, savoury snacks. | ||
| E322 | Lecithin | No concern |
E322 — Lecithin What it is. An emulsifier that keeps mixtures smooth. Why it is marked "no concern". Commercially it is soya, sunflower or rapeseed. Egg lecithin exists but would have to be declared as egg, so a bare 'lecithin' is not an unknown animal source. Where you meet it. Chocolate, margarine, baked goods, instant powders. | ||
| E330 | Citric acid | No concern |
E330 — Citric acid What it is. The sharp taste in citrus, used to adjust acidity. Why it is marked "no concern". Industrially produced by fermenting sugars with a mould culture. Where you meet it. Soft drinks, jams, tinned fruit, sweets. | ||
| E392 | Rosemary extract | No concern |
E392 — Rosemary extract What it is. A natural antioxidant that stops fat going rancid. Why it is marked "no concern". It is a plant extract. Where you meet it. Oils, snacks, meat products. | ||
| E406 | Agar | No concern |
E406 — Agar What it is. A gelling agent from seaweed — a plant alternative to gelatine. Why it is marked "no concern". Seaweed-derived, with no animal question. Where you meet it. Vegan jellies, desserts, confectionery. | ||
| E410 | Locust bean gum | No concern |
E410 — Locust bean gum What it is. A thickener from carob seeds. Why it is marked "no concern". Plant-derived. Where you meet it. Ice cream, sauces, dairy desserts. | ||
| E415 | Xanthan gum | No concern |
E415 — Xanthan gum What it is. A thickener produced by fermentation. Why it is marked "no concern". Made by a bacterial culture feeding on sugars. Where you meet it. Sauces, dressings, gluten-free baking. | ||
| E422 | Glycerol (glycerine) | Needs verification |
E422 — Glycerol (glycerine) What it is. A sweet, syrupy liquid that keeps food moist. Why it is marked "needs verification". It is produced from plant oils, from animal fat, or synthetically — and the source is not declared. Where you meet it. Chewing gum, cake icing, soft sweets, toothpaste. | ||
| E428 | Gelatine | Not halal |
E428 — Gelatine What it is. A gelling protein made by boiling animal skin, bone and connective tissue. Why it is marked "not halal". It is animal by definition. Unless the source is verified halal it cannot be treated as permissible — and pork gelatine is prohibited outright. Even a 'halal gelatine' claim needs its certificate checked. Where you meet it. Gummy sweets, marshmallows, mousses, capsule shells. | ||
| E431 | Polyoxyethylene stearate | Needs verification |
E431 — Polyoxyethylene stearate What it is. An emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed. Why it is marked "needs verification". Built from stearic acid, which can be plant or animal in origin. Where you meet it. Bakery products, coffee whiteners. | ||
| E432 | Polysorbate 20 | Needs verification |
E432 — Polysorbate 20 What it is. An emulsifier and dispersing agent. Why it is marked "needs verification". The fatty acid it is built from may be animal-derived. Where you meet it. Ice cream, sauces, dressings. | ||
| E433 | Polysorbate 80 | Needs verification |
E433 — Polysorbate 80 What it is. A very common emulsifier. Why it is marked "needs verification". Same fatty-acid source question as the other polysorbates. Where you meet it. Ice cream, desserts, drinks. | ||
| E434 | Polysorbate 40 | Needs verification |
E434 — Polysorbate 40 What it is. An emulsifier. Why it is marked "needs verification". Fatty-acid origin is not declared. Where you meet it. Bakery goods, toppings. | ||
| E435 | Polysorbate 60 | Needs verification |
E435 — Polysorbate 60 What it is. An emulsifier. Why it is marked "needs verification". Fatty-acid origin is not declared. Where you meet it. Cakes, whipped toppings. | ||
| E436 | Polysorbate 65 | Needs verification |
E436 — Polysorbate 65 What it is. An emulsifier. Why it is marked "needs verification". Fatty-acid origin is not declared. Where you meet it. Ice cream, baked goods. | ||
| E440 | Pectin | No concern |
E440 — Pectin What it is. A gelling agent from fruit — what sets jam. Why it is marked "no concern". Extracted from apples and citrus peel. Where you meet it. Jams, fruit fillings, vegan gummies. | ||
| E441 | Gelatine | Not halal |
E441 — Gelatine What it is. The same gelling protein as E428, under its other number. Why it is marked "not halal". Animal-derived and unverified: treated as not halal until the source is confirmed. Where you meet it. Gummy sweets, marshmallows, desserts, capsules. | ||
| E445 | Glycerol esters of wood rosin | Needs verification |
E445 — Glycerol esters of wood rosin What it is. Keeps citrus oils evenly mixed in drinks. Why it is marked "needs verification". The glycerol part can be animal-derived. Where you meet it. Cloudy citrus soft drinks. | ||
| E470a | Fatty acid salts (sodium, potassium, calcium) | Needs verification |
E470a — Fatty acid salts (sodium, potassium, calcium) What it is. Anti-caking and emulsifying salts. Why it is marked "needs verification". Made from fatty acids that may be plant or animal in origin. Where you meet it. Powdered products, sweets, coatings. | ||
| E470b | Magnesium salts of fatty acids | Needs verification |
E470b — Magnesium salts of fatty acids What it is. Anti-caking agent. Why it is marked "needs verification". Same fatty-acid source question. Where you meet it. Powders, tablets, sweets. | ||
| E471 | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | Needs verification |
E471 — Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids What it is. The most common emulsifier in packaged food — it keeps fat and water from separating. Why it is marked "needs verification". It is made from plant oils or from animal fat, and European labels are not required to say which. This is why so much bread and ice cream ends up needing verification rather than clean. Where you meet it. Sliced bread, margarine, ice cream, biscuits, cake. | ||
| E472a | Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides | Needs verification |
E472a — Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides What it is. An E471 relative, modified for a particular job. Why it is marked "needs verification". Built on the same mono- and diglycerides, so the same source question applies. Where you meet it. Bakery goods, whipped toppings. | ||
| E472b | Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides | Needs verification |
E472b — Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides What it is. An E471 relative. Why it is marked "needs verification". Same source question as E471. Where you meet it. Cake mixes, desserts, toppings. | ||
| E472c | Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides | Needs verification |
E472c — Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides What it is. An E471 relative. Why it is marked "needs verification". Same source question as E471. Where you meet it. Margarine, sausages, sauces. | ||
| E472e | DATEM | Needs verification |
E472e — DATEM What it is. A dough conditioner that helps bread rise better. Why it is marked "needs verification". Built on mono- and diglycerides — plant or animal, undeclared. Where you meet it. Packaged bread and rolls, pizza bases. | ||
| E473 | Sucrose esters of fatty acids | Needs verification |
E473 — Sucrose esters of fatty acids What it is. Sugar joined to fatty acids, used as an emulsifier. Why it is marked "needs verification". The fatty acid may be animal-derived. Where you meet it. Bakery goods, coffee drinks, fruit coatings. | ||
| E474 | Sucroglycerides | Needs verification |
E474 — Sucroglycerides What it is. A sugar-and-fat emulsifier. Why it is marked "needs verification". Same fatty-acid source question. Where you meet it. Dairy desserts, bakery. | ||
| E475 | Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids | Needs verification |
E475 — Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids What it is. An emulsifier for fatty products. Why it is marked "needs verification". Both the glycerol and the fatty acid can be animal-derived. Where you meet it. Cakes, biscuits, whipped cream. | ||
| E477 | Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids | Needs verification |
E477 — Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids What it is. An emulsifier used in aerated products. Why it is marked "needs verification". Fatty-acid source undeclared. Where you meet it. Whipped toppings, cake mixes. | ||
| E479b | Thermally oxidised soya bean oil with mono- and diglycerides | Needs verification |
E479b — Thermally oxidised soya bean oil with mono- and diglycerides What it is. An anti-sticking emulsifier. Why it is marked "needs verification". It contains mono- and diglycerides, so the E471 question comes with it. Where you meet it. Frying fats, industrial baking. | ||
| E481 | Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate | Needs verification |
E481 — Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate What it is. A dough strengthener. Why it is marked "needs verification". Stearic acid can be plant or animal in origin. Where you meet it. Packaged bread, buns, bakery mixes. | ||
| E482 | Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate | Needs verification |
E482 — Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate What it is. A dough strengthener. Why it is marked "needs verification". Same stearic-acid question as E481. Where you meet it. Bread, cake, whipped toppings. | ||
| E483 | Stearyl tartrate | Needs verification |
E483 — Stearyl tartrate What it is. A flour treatment agent. Why it is marked "needs verification". Built from stearic acid of undeclared origin. Where you meet it. Bakery flour mixes. | ||
| E491 | Sorbitan monostearate | Needs verification |
E491 — Sorbitan monostearate What it is. An emulsifier and anti-crystallising agent. Why it is marked "needs verification". Stearate can come from plant or animal fat. Where you meet it. Chocolate coatings, cake icing, yeast. | ||
| E492 | Sorbitan tristearate | Needs verification |
E492 — Sorbitan tristearate What it is. Keeps chocolate glossy and stops fat bloom. Why it is marked "needs verification". Same stearate source question. Where you meet it. Chocolate, confectionery coatings. | ||
| E493 | Sorbitan monolaurate | Needs verification |
E493 — Sorbitan monolaurate What it is. An emulsifier. Why it is marked "needs verification". Fatty-acid origin undeclared. Where you meet it. Bakery, beverages. | ||
| E495 | Sorbitan monopalmitate | Needs verification |
E495 — Sorbitan monopalmitate What it is. An emulsifier. Why it is marked "needs verification". Fatty-acid origin undeclared. Where you meet it. Cake mixes, icings. | ||
| E500 | Sodium carbonates | No concern |
E500 — Sodium carbonates What it is. Raising agents and acidity regulators. Why it is marked "no concern". Mineral in origin. Where you meet it. Baked goods, noodles. | ||
| E542 | Bone phosphate | Needs verification |
E542 — Bone phosphate What it is. An anti-caking agent made from animal bone. Why it is marked "needs verification". It is animal by definition, and neither the species nor the slaughter is declared. Where you meet it. Some supplements, tablets and powdered products. | ||
| E570 | Fatty acids (stearic acid) | Needs verification |
E570 — Fatty acids (stearic acid) What it is. Used as an anti-caking agent and coating. Why it is marked "needs verification". Plant or animal origin, undeclared. Where you meet it. Coated tablets, sweets, some fat blends. | ||
| E627 | Disodium guanylate | Needs verification |
E627 — Disodium guanylate What it is. A flavour enhancer that makes savoury food taste fuller. Why it is marked "needs verification". It is produced by fermentation, but also from fish or meat — the label never says which. Where you meet it. Instant noodles, crisps, stock cubes, seasoning. | ||
| E631 | Disodium inosinate | Needs verification |
E631 — Disodium inosinate What it is. A flavour enhancer, usually paired with E627. Why it is marked "needs verification". Commonly derived from fish or meat as well as by fermentation. Where you meet it. Instant noodles, crisps, savoury snacks. | ||
| E635 | Disodium ribonucleotides | Needs verification |
E635 — Disodium ribonucleotides What it is. A blend of E627 and E631. Why it is marked "needs verification". It carries both of their source questions. Where you meet it. Instant noodles, seasonings, savoury snacks. | ||
| E640 | Glycine and its sodium salt | Needs verification |
E640 — Glycine and its sodium salt What it is. An amino acid used as a flavour modifier. Why it is marked "needs verification". It can be produced synthetically or from animal material. Where you meet it. Seasonings, some processed meat. | ||
| E903 | Carnauba wax | No concern |
E903 — Carnauba wax What it is. A hard plant wax used for shine. Why it is marked "no concern". It comes from the leaves of a palm. Where you meet it. Chocolate lentils, fruit coatings, chewing gum. | ||
| E904 | Shellac | Needs verification |
E904 — Shellac What it is. A natural resin secreted by the lac insect, used to make things shine. Why it is marked "needs verification". Opinions on insect-derived substances differ; several halal bodies permit it, which is exactly why we mark it for verification rather than deciding for you. Where you meet it. Shiny chocolate lentils, glazed fruit, pill coatings. | ||
| E913 | Lanolin | Needs verification |
E913 — Lanolin What it is. A wax from sheep's wool. Why it is marked "needs verification". It is animal-derived, and how it was obtained and processed is not declared. Where you meet it. Chewing gum base, some vitamin D3, cosmetics. | ||
| E920 | L-cysteine | Needs verification |
E920 — L-cysteine What it is. A dough conditioner that softens bread. Why it is marked "needs verification". It has historically been produced from feathers, hair or bristles, as well as synthetically — the source is not declared. Where you meet it. Packaged bread, buns, bakery improvers. | ||
| E921 | L-cystine | Needs verification |
E921 — L-cystine What it is. Closely related to E920, used in bakery. Why it is marked "needs verification". Same source question as E920. Where you meet it. Bread and dough improvers. | ||
| E1518 | Glyceryl triacetate (triacetin) | Needs verification |
E1518 — Glyceryl triacetate (triacetin) What it is. A carrier and humectant. Why it is marked "needs verification". The glycerol part can be animal-derived. Where you meet it. Flavourings, chewing gum. | ||
No match — try the number (for example "E471") or the common name ("gelatine", "emulsifier").
How to read an ingredient list yourself
Three habits catch most of what matters. First, an additive can appear as a number or as a name — "E471" and "mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids" are the same thing, and a manufacturer may print either. Second, the additives worth watching are rarely the strange-sounding ones: the emulsifier in bread, the shine on sweets and the flavour enhancer in crisps are the usual culprits. Third, "vegetarian" is not the same as halal — though a credible vegan claim does rule out animal-derived additives.
Ingredients that carry no E-number
Some of the most consequential things in a list have no number at all. Gelatine is often written out in words. Rennet in cheese is animal-derived unless it says microbial or vegetarian. Alcohol can appear as an ingredient or hide as a carrier inside "natural flavouring" — and that phrase covers a great deal. A number-by-number check will never catch those; reading the whole list will.