Is E406 (Agar) Halal?
Generally halal
E406 (Agar) is a gelling agent extracted from seaweed — a plant source — so it is generally considered halal, and is a common halal alternative to gelatine.
What is E406?
Agar (agar-agar) is a firm gelling agent extracted from red seaweed. It sets more firmly than gelatine and is widely used in desserts, jellies and vegetarian cooking — a popular halal substitute for gelatine.
Extracted from red seaweed by boiling, then filtered, gelled and dried. No animal-derived material.
Why is it generally halal?
Agar is extracted from seaweed with no animal-derived material, so it is generally classified as halal. It is one of the main plant-based substitutes for gelatine. As always, the finished product still needs its own verification.
Commonly found in
It may be found in — this does not mean every product below contains it.
- Jellies and desserts
- Vegetarian/vegan gummies
- Dairy and confectionery
- Bakery fillings and glazes
How it appears on labels
AgarAgar-agarE406Gelling agent (E406)INS number: 406
How to verify a product in Singapore
- Ingredient-level guidance is not halal certification — check the complete product, not just this ingredient.
- Look for recognised halal certification, and check the finished product on the official MUIS HalalSG register.
- When the source or processing aids are unclear, contact the manufacturer.
Ingredient guidance is not certification. Verify the finished product on the MUIS HalalSG register or with the manufacturer.
Check MUIS HalalSGSources: EFSA, FAO/WHO, MUIS · Last reviewed: July 2026 · This guidance is not certification.
Frequently asked questions
Is E406 (agar) halal?
Yes — it is extracted from seaweed (a plant) with no animal-derived material, so it is generally considered halal. It is a common halal alternative to gelatine.
Is agar the same as gelatine?
No. Gelatine is animal-derived; agar is a plant (seaweed) gelling agent widely used as a halal substitute.
What names should I look for?
'Agar', 'Agar-agar' or 'E406'.
Related ingredients
Sources & methodology
- Re-evaluation of agar (E 406) as a food additive — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · Seaweed (plant) origin
- General Standard for Food Additives (GSFA) Online Database — Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) · Approved uses and INS number
- Halal Certification — HalalSG — Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) · Singapore halal verification process
Humble Halal methodology: we classify additives by their common origin, not by any specific product. A generally-halal ingredient does not make a finished product halal-certified. This page is general guidance, not certification or religious/legal advice — always verify the complete product. Last reviewed July 2026.