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Commonly non-halal — check for a certified version
E441 (Gelatine) is made from animal skin and bones — commonly pork or non-halal beef — so standard gelatine is treated as not halal unless it is specifically halal-certified.
Gelatine is a gelling protein extracted from the skin, bones and connective tissue of animals. It gives the wobble to jelly, gummy sweets, marshmallows and many desserts, and is also used in some capsules and dairy products.
Made by treating animal collagen (from hides and bones) with acid or alkali and hot water to extract gelatine, which is then dried. The animal source (pig, cattle, fish) and its slaughter determine permissibility.
The concern with gelatine is its origin. Standard commercial gelatine is most often from pork or from cattle that were not halal-slaughtered, which makes it impermissible. That is why we classify plain 'gelatine' as avoid. However, halal-certified gelatine — made from halal-slaughtered cattle or from fish — does exist and is permissible, and there are plant-based gelling substitutes (agar E406, pectin E440, carrageenan E407) that avoid the issue entirely.
It may be found in — this does not mean every product below contains it.
GelatineGelatinE441Beef gelatinePork gelatineFish gelatineINS number: 441
In Singapore, verify the finished product on the MUIS HalalSG register. A certified product will use an approved (halal) gelatine or a plant alternative; for an uncertified product listing plain 'gelatine', treat it as doubtful-to-avoid and contact the manufacturer.
Check MUIS HalalSGSources: FAO/WHO, MUIS · Last reviewed: July 2026 · This guidance is not certification.
Standard gelatine is usually from pork or non-halal beef, so it is treated as not halal. Halal-certified gelatine (from halal-slaughtered cattle) and fish gelatine are permissible alternatives.
No. Gelatine can be from pork, cattle or fish. Because the source is often unstated, plain 'gelatine' is treated as not halal unless certified.
Plant-based gelling agents such as agar (E406), pectin (E440) and carrageenan (E407), or specifically halal-certified/fish gelatine.
'Gelatine'/'Gelatin' or 'E441'. 'Halal gelatine' or 'fish gelatine' indicate permissible types; plain gelatine should be verified.
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.