E481 — Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate

Needs verification

E481 (Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate) needs verification. A dough strengthener.

Why it needs verification

Stearic acid can be plant or animal in origin.

Where you meet it

Packaged bread, buns, bakery mixes.

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 E481 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 E481 halal?

E481 (Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate) needs verification. Stearic acid can be plant or animal in origin.

How do I know if the E481 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

E482 — Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate · Needs verification
E479b — Thermally oxidised soya bean oil with mono- and diglycerides · Needs verification
E483 — Stearyl tartrate · 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 These statuses combine published scholarly positions with ingredient analysis, and they can be incomplete or out of date.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.