E572 — Magnesium stearate

Needs verification

E572 (Magnesium stearate) needs verification. A fine white powder that stops ingredients sticking to machinery.

Why it needs verification

It is made from stearic acid, which can be pressed from plant oil or rendered from animal fat, including pork. Tablets and powders rarely say which.

Where you meet it

Supplement and medicine tablets, powdered drink mixes, sweets.

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 E572 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 E572 halal?

E572 (Magnesium stearate) needs verification. It is made from stearic acid, which can be pressed from plant oil or rendered from animal fat, including pork. Tablets and powders rarely say which.

How do I know if the E572 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

E570 — Fatty acids (stearic acid) · Needs verification
E542 — Bone phosphate · Needs verification
E621 — Monosodium glutamate (MSG) · 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 These statuses combine published scholarly positions with ingredient analysis, and they can be incomplete or out of date.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.