E431 — Polyoxyethylene stearate

Needs verification

E431 (Polyoxyethylene stearate) needs verification. An emulsifier that keeps oil and water mixed.

Why it needs verification

Built from stearic acid, which can be plant or animal in origin.

Where you meet it

Bakery products, coffee whiteners.

What to do in the shop

Look for a product that names the source, says plant-based or vegan, or carries a halal certificate. If nothing on the packet settles it, the manufacturer can tell you, and their answer is the only thing that turns E431 from a question into an answer.

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 E431 halal?

E431 (Polyoxyethylene stearate) needs verification. Built from stearic acid, which can be plant or animal in origin.

How do I know if the E431 in a product is halal?

Only the manufacturer can tell you which source they used, unless the packet says plant-based, vegan, or carries a halal certificate.

Related additives

E432 — Polysorbate 20 · Needs verification
E433 — Polysorbate 80 · Needs verification
E434 — Polysorbate 40 · Needs verification

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 These statuses combine published scholarly positions with ingredient analysis, and they can be incomplete or out of date.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.