Is E414 (Gum arabic (Acacia gum)) Halal?
Generally halal
E414 (Gum arabic / Acacia gum) is the dried sap of the acacia tree — a plant source — so it is generally considered halal.
What is E414?
Gum arabic is a natural gum made from the hardened sap of acacia trees. It is used to stabilise, thicken and emulsify, and to coat sweets and keep flavour oils dissolved in soft drinks.
Collected as dried sap (exudate) from acacia trees, then cleaned and processed. No animal-derived material.
Why is it generally halal?
Gum arabic is a plant exudate with no animal-derived material, so it is generally classified as halal. 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.
- Soft drinks (to hold flavour oils)
- Confectionery and gummies
- Icings and glazes
- Supplements and fibre products
How it appears on labels
Gum arabicAcacia gumE414Stabiliser (E414)INS number: 414
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 E414 (gum arabic) halal?
Yes — it is the dried sap of the acacia tree (a plant) with no animal-derived material, so it is generally considered halal. The finished product still needs verification.
Is gum arabic from animals?
No. It is a plant gum collected from acacia trees.
What names should I look for?
'Gum arabic', 'Acacia gum' or 'E414'.
Related ingredients
Sources & methodology
- Re-evaluation of acacia gum (E 414) as a food additive — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · Plant exudate 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.