Is this ingredient halal?

Check the halal status of 104+ common food additives and E-numbers — 68 generally halal, 30 doubtful, 6 best avoided. Search by number (E471) or name (gelatine, carmine, MSG).

This tells you the usual origin of an additive — it is general guidance, not certification. “Doubtful” means the source can be animal or plant, so check with the manufacturer. A product using only halal additives is still not halal-certified unless it's on the MUIS HalalSG register.

104 additives

Questions people ask

Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Is E471 halal?

E471 (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids) is doubtful (mushbooh). The fatty acids can come from plants (halal) or animal fat (doubtful unless from a halal animal). Because manufacturers rarely state the source, treat it as doubtful and check with the maker or look for a halal-certified product.

Is gelatine (E441) halal?

Standard gelatine is usually made from pork or non-halal beef, so it is treated as non-halal. Halal-certified gelatine (from halal-slaughtered cattle) and plant-based gelling agents such as agar (E406), pectin (E440) and carrageenan (E407) are halal alternatives.

What does 'mushbooh' or 'doubtful' mean?

Mushbooh means an additive's permissibility is unclear because its source can be either animal or plant. Islam encourages avoiding the doubtful. In practice, confirm the source with the manufacturer or choose a product carrying halal certification.

Is E120 / carmine halal?

Carmine (E120, also called cochineal or natural red 4) is a red colour made from insects. Most scholars consider it impermissible, so it is best avoided. Plant-based red colours like beetroot red (E162) are halal alternatives.

Does a product with only halal additives count as halal-certified?

No. Halal certification looks at the whole product and process, not just additives. Even if every additive is halal, only a listing on the MUIS HalalSG register (or equivalent certification) confirms a product or eatery is halal-certified.