Is E422 (Glycerol / Glycerine) Halal?
Doubtful — depends on source
E422 (Glycerol / Glycerine) can be made from plant oils, from petrochemical synthesis, or from animal fat — so it is treated as doubtful (mushbooh) unless the source is known.
What is E422?
Glycerol (glycerine) is a sweet, syrupy liquid used to keep foods moist, as a solvent, and as an emulsifier. It is also common in medicines, toothpaste and cosmetics. It can come from vegetable oils, from synthesis, or from animal fats.
Produced as a by-product of soap-making and biodiesel from fats/oils, or by synthesis. The fat/oil feedstock can be vegetable (e.g. palm, soy) or animal (tallow) — the label rarely says.
Why is it doubtful (mushbooh)?
Glycerol's status depends on its source. Plant-derived and synthetic glycerine are halal; animal-fat glycerine is only permissible if the animal was halal. Because the source is usually unstated, it is treated as doubtful until confirmed. Much food and pharmaceutical glycerine is vegetable-derived, but this should be verified.
Commonly found in
It may be found in — this does not mean every product below contains it.
- Icings, fondants and cake decorations
- Low-moisture and 'soft' baked goods
- Confectionery and cereal bars
- Medicines, toothpaste and cosmetics
How it appears on labels
GlycerolGlycerineGlycerinE422Humectant (E422)INS number: 422
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.
In Singapore, verify the finished product on the MUIS HalalSG register. A certified product will have had the glycerol source assessed; for an uncertified product, contact the manufacturer.
Check MUIS HalalSGSources: EFSA, FAO/WHO, MUIS · Last reviewed: July 2026 · This guidance is not certification.
Frequently asked questions
Is E422 (glycerol / glycerine) halal?
It is source-dependent. Plant-derived and synthetic glycerine are halal; animal-fat glycerine is permissible only if from a halal animal. Since the source is usually unstated, treat it as doubtful and verify.
Is glycerine made from pork?
It can be made from animal fat, which could include pork-derived tallow, but it is also commonly vegetable-derived or synthetic. Look for 'vegetable glycerine' or certification, or ask the manufacturer.
Is vegetable glycerine halal?
Yes. Vegetable-derived glycerine is halal.
What names should I look for?
'Glycerol', 'Glycerine', 'Glycerin' or 'E422' — ideally 'vegetable glycerine'.
Related ingredients
Sources & methodology
- Re-evaluation of glycerol (E 422) as a food additive — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · Source can be vegetable, synthetic or animal fat
- 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.