Most E-numbers are not automatically haram. The code names an authorised additive, but may not reveal its raw material. E120 has a defined insect origin; E422, E471 and E631 can be source- or market-dependent; E904 is disputed. Older lists may call gelatin “E441”, while current Codex uses INS 428 for gelatin. Search the table, then verify the exact ingredient and certificate where the source is not declared.
How to read this list
This is a practical reference to the commonly encountered codes that generate halal questions; it is not a catalogue of every additive authorised in every jurisdiction. The status describes the evidence a shopper still needs:
- Halal The named additive has a permitted origin in the evidence used here.
- Source-dependent Commercial sources or religious rulings can vary, and the code alone does not settle the product.
- Avoid / disputed The defined source raises a halal concern; follow the linked explanation and the qualified authority you trust.
Where madhhabs or certifiers differ, the linked guide states the disagreement instead of turning it into a false universal answer. Regulatory sources establish an additive's identity and permitted specification; they do not issue a halal ruling. The status below is therefore a shopping screen informed by halal-authority source principles, not certification of every supplier. Read the editorial methodology for the source hierarchy and limits.
Quick decision table
| Code | Ingredient | First decision | What resolves it |
|---|---|---|---|
| E120 | Carmine / cochineal | Insect-derived; disputed | Follow the ruling or certifier you trust |
| E422 | Glycerol / glycerin | Market-dependent | EU food E422 is vegetable-only; elsewhere verify source |
| E471 | Mono- and diglycerides | Source-dependent | Vegetable statement or current halal certificate |
| E631 | Disodium inosinate | Source-dependent | Fermentation, fish or halal-controlled meat source |
| E904 | Shellac | Disputed | Named certifier or scholarly position |
| E920 | L-cysteine | Source-dependent | Fermentation/synthetic statement or halal certificate |
E100–E199: colours
| Code | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| E100 | Curcumin (turmeric) | Halal | Plant |
| E101 | Riboflavin | Mushbooh | Usually fermentation; can be from whey or egg |
| E120 | Cochineal / carmine | Avoid / disputed | Insect derived; rulings differ |
| E140 | Chlorophyll | Halal | Plant |
| E141 | Copper chlorophyllin | Halal | Plant + mineral |
| E150a–d | Caramel colour | Halal | Check E150c/d carriers in some markets |
| E153 | Vegetable carbon | Jurisdiction-dependent | The current EU specification requires carbonised vegetable material; some halal lists use a broader “carbon black” category and advise a source check |
| E160a | Carotene | Mushbooh | Plant, but gelatin is a common carrier |
| E161g | Canthaxanthin | Halal | Usually synthetic |
| E162–E163 | Beetroot red, anthocyanins | Halal | Plant |
E200–E299: preservatives
This range is almost entirely halal. E200–E203 (sorbates), E210–E219 (benzoates), E220–E228 (sulphites), E249–E252 (nitrites and nitrates) and E260–E263 (acetates) are synthetic or mineral. The exception is E270 lactic acid, which is normally produced by bacterial fermentation of plant sugars and is halal, but has historically been produced on media that were not, hence a mushbooh flag in stricter lists.
E300–E399: antioxidants and acidity regulators
| Code | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| E300–E303 | Ascorbic acid and ascorbate salts | Halal | Vitamin C and its sodium, calcium and potassium salts |
| E304 | Ascorbyl palmitate / stearate | Source-dependent | Fatty-acid ester; verify the palmitate or stearate source when certification is absent |
| E306–E309 | Tocopherols (vitamin E) | Mushbooh | Usually soy; can be animal derived |
| E322 | Lecithin | Usually halal | Soy, sunflower or egg |
| E325–E327 | Lactates | Halal | Not dairy despite the name |
| E330–E333 | Citric acid and citrates | Halal | Fermentation |
| E338–E343 | Phosphoric acid, phosphates | Halal | Mineral |
E400–E499: thickeners, stabilisers and emulsifiers
This is where most of the real halal risk sits. The gums (E400–E418) are plant or microbial and halal. The problem range is E470–E483, the fatty acid derivatives.
| Code | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| E400–E407 | Alginates, agar, carrageenan | Halal | Seaweed |
| E410–E418 | Locust bean, guar, xanthan, gellan | Halal | Plant / microbial |
| E420 | Sorbitol | Halal | Sugar alcohol made from glucose; not intoxicating alcohol |
| E422 | Glycerol / glycerine | Market-dependent | Current EU food specification is vegetable-only; a generic declaration elsewhere can still need source evidence |
| E430–E436 | Polyoxyethylene stearates, polysorbates | Mushbooh | Stearate source |
| E435 | Polysorbate 60 | Check source | Verify the stearic-acid source or halal certification |
| E440 | Pectin | Halal | Plant-derived; see the pectin guide |
| Legacy “E441” | Gelatine in some halal/reference lists | Check source and code system | Current Codex INS 441 is a different emulsifier; EU and cited FSA-market labels normally say gelatin or gelatine |
| E442 | Ammonium phosphatides | Source-dependent | The EU specification permits edible fat or oil and says rapeseed is usual, not mandatory; verify a plant source or current certification |
| E466 | Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) | Halal | Cellulose-derived thickener |
| E470a/b | Salts of fatty acids | Mushbooh | Plant or tallow |
| E471 | Mono- & diglycerides | Source-dependent | Verify plant, animal or certified source |
| E472a–f | Esters of mono- & diglycerides | Mushbooh | Same source question as E471 |
| E473–E475 | Sucrose / polyglycerol esters | Mushbooh | Fatty acid source |
| E476 | PGPR | Usually halal | Castor oil |
| E481–E483 | Stearoyl lactylates | Mushbooh | Stearate source |
| E491–E495 | Sorbitan esters | Mushbooh | Stearate source |
E500–E599: anti-caking agents and mineral salts
This range is largely mineral and straightforward, but a small number of entries still reveal an animal or variable fat source.
| Code | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| E500 | Sodium carbonates | Halal | Mineral-derived acidity regulator and raising agent |
| E501–E504 | Potassium, ammonium and magnesium carbonates | Halal | Mineral or synthetic raising agents |
| E509 / E551 | Calcium chloride / silicon dioxide | Halal | Mineral salts and anti-caking agents |
| E542 | Edible bone phosphate | Check / avoid | Animal bone source requires qualified verification |
| E570 / E572 | Stearic acid / magnesium stearate | Source-dependent | Commercial source can be plant fat or tallow |
E600–E699: flavour enhancers
| Code | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| E620–E625 | Glutamates incl. E621 MSG | Usually halal | Bacterial fermentation |
| E626–E629 | Guanylates | Mushbooh | Can be from fish or meat |
| E630–E635 (including E631) | Inosinates and ribonucleotides | Source-dependent | Fish, meat or fermentation |
| E640 | Glycine | Mushbooh | Can be animal derived |
E900–E1999: glazing agents, sweeteners and enzymes
| Code | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| E901 | Beeswax | Halal | Widely accepted |
| E903 | Carnauba wax | Halal | Palm leaf |
| E904 | Shellac | Disputed / avoid | Lac insect resin; rulings differ |
| E920 | L-cysteine | Source-dependent | Fermentation, synthesis and animal-derived routes exist; market rules matter |
| E950–E968 | Sweeteners | Halal | Synthetic or plant |
| E1105 | Lysozyme | Halal | Egg white |
| E1400–E1450 | Modified starches | Halal | Plant |
| E1510 | Ethanol | Disputed | See alcohol in food |
| E1520 | Propylene glycol | Halal | Not an intoxicant |
Codes worth checking first
If a label is long, begin with codes whose origin or ruling cannot be settled by the number alone: E120, E422, E435, E471, E472a–f, E542, E570, E631, E904 and E920, plus any legacy “E441” gelatin reference. This is a practical starting list, not a claim that every other ingredient is automatically acceptable. Use the quick decision table above, follow the dedicated links, and check the exact product.
Evidence reviewed on 1 October 2026
We checked the European Commission’s live additive guidance and database, the current EU additive specifications, and the Codex GSFA name and number records. Those primary sources establish identity, permitted uses and—in a few cases such as EU food E422—source specifications. SANHA and IFANCA guidance informs the halal screening labels. This page does not claim that an E-number alone proves a finished product halal; supplier source and certificate scope remain product evidence.
Frequently asked questions
Are all E-numbers artificial or unhealthy?
No. For a current EU-listed code, the E prefix identifies an additive authorised for specified uses; it does not mean artificial or unhealthy. E300 is vitamin C, E101 is vitamin B2 and E160a is beta-carotene. Older references can also retain codes such as E441 that are no longer treated as ordinary current EU additives, so use the linked code guide when a listing looks inconsistent.
Which E-numbers should I check first?
Start with source-dependent fats and emulsifiers such as E422 and E470–E483, legacy/reference E441 for gelatin, flavour enhancers such as E631, insect-derived E120 and E904, and L-cysteine E920. This is a screening order, not a permanent verdict on the complete product.
Does "suitable for vegetarians" mean halal?
It resolves the animal-derivative question but not the alcohol one, and it says nothing about slaughter or cross-contamination. A vegetarian label is a strong positive signal for additives like E471 and gelatin, but it is not equivalent to halal certification.
Do E-numbers mean the same thing outside Europe?
Largely yes. The E-prefix is European, but the numbering is mirrored in the Codex INS system used across most of the world, so 471 is the same additive in Malaysia, Australia and the Gulf. Some countries print the number without the E, and the United States generally uses ingredient names rather than codes.
Is E500 halal?
Yes. E500 is the code for sodium carbonates, mineral-derived acidity regulators and raising agents. E500 itself has no animal or alcohol source question, although the other ingredients in the finished food still need checking.
Is E435 halal?
E435 (polysorbate 60) is source-dependent because its stearic-acid component can come from plant oil or animal fat. Treat an unspecified source as Mushbooh and look for a vegetarian statement, halal certification or manufacturer confirmation.
Why do two halal lists give different answers for the same E-number?
Three reasons: certifiers apply different thresholds for doubtful items, madhhabs differ on insects and on the transformation principle, and regional sourcing genuinely varies, so an additive that is plant-derived in one market is animal-derived in another. Where it matters, follow the certifier or scholar you take from.
Sources and verification
This page uses current manufacturer information, regulator or certifier guidance, and primary references where available. Sources last checked 1 October 2026. Recipes, suppliers and certification can change, so confirm the exact pack sold in your country.
- European Commission — EU food-additives database and guidance — official definitions, labelling rules and link to the Union database of authorised additives
- EUR-Lex — Regulation (EU) 2023/1329 — official amendment specifying that food-additive E422 glycerol is obtained only from vegetable oils and fats
- EFSA — Food additives topic overview — official safety-assessment context and current examples including pectin (E440)
- FAO/WHO Codex — General Standard for Food Additives — primary international reference for INS additive names and functional classes
- EUR-Lex — Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 — official specifications used to distinguish E153 vegetable carbon, E304 ascorbyl esters and E442 ammonium phosphatides
- SANHA — E-number classifications and source-verification guidance — halal-authority guidance identifying intrinsically animal additives and codes that need product-by-product source checks
- IFANCA — Halal Consumer, Spring 2025 — halal-certifier guidance treating additives, emulsifiers, food colours and vitamins as complex or multi-source classes where origin may require scrutiny