E322 — Lecithin

No concern

E322 (Lecithin) raises no animal-source question. An emulsifier that keeps mixtures smooth.

Why it raises no question

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.

What to do in the shop

Nothing special to do for E322 itself. Read the rest of the list: a product is only as clear as its least clear ingredient.

A status here describes the additive in general — a specific product can be different. The same number can be made from plant or animal material depending on the manufacturer, and the label does not say which.

Questions people ask

Is E322 halal?

E322 (Lecithin) raises no animal-source question, so on its own it is not a problem. The rest of the ingredient list still decides the product.

What is E322 made from?

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.

Related additives

See all E-numbers →

Check a product, not just a number

An additive's status describes the additive in general. What matters is the whole ingredient list on the packet in your hand.

This is information, not a fatwa. These statuses combine published scholarly positions with ingredient analysis, and they can be incomplete or out of date. For anything that matters, confirm with the manufacturer and with a qualified authority.