E432 — Polysorbate 20

Needs verification

E432 (Polysorbate 20) needs verification. An emulsifier and dispersing agent.

Why it needs verification

The fatty acid it is built from may be animal-derived.

Where you meet it

Ice cream, sauces, dressings.

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 E432 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 E432 halal?

E432 (Polysorbate 20) needs verification. The fatty acid it is built from may be animal-derived.

How do I know if the E432 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

E431 — Polyoxyethylene stearate · 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 These statuses combine published scholarly positions with ingredient analysis, and they can be incomplete or out of date.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.