E542 — Bone phosphate

Needs verification

E542 (Bone phosphate) needs verification. An anti-caking agent made from animal bone.

Why it needs verification

It is animal by definition, and neither the species nor the slaughter is declared.

Where you meet it

Some supplements, tablets and powdered products.

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 E542 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 E542 halal?

E542 (Bone phosphate) needs verification. It is animal by definition, and neither the species nor the slaughter is declared.

How do I know if the E542 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

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 These statuses combine published scholarly positions with ingredient analysis, and they can be incomplete or out of date.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