E442 — Ammonium phosphatides

Needs verification

E442 (Ammonium phosphatides) needs verification. An emulsifier used almost exclusively in chocolate, to keep it flowing while it is moulded.

Why it needs verification

It is built from fats, and those fats can be plant oils or animal fat, including pork. Which one went in is not on the label.

Where you meet it

Chocolate bars, chocolate coatings, filled confectionery.

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 E442 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 E442 halal?

E442 (Ammonium phosphatides) needs verification. It is built from fats, and those fats can be plant oils or animal fat, including pork. Which one went in is not on the label.

How do I know if the E442 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

E445 — Glycerol esters of wood rosin · Needs verification
E436 — Polysorbate 65 · Needs verification
E435 — Polysorbate 60 · 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 These statuses combine published scholarly positions with ingredient analysis, and they can be incomplete or out of date.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.