Is E570 (Stearic acid / Fatty acids) Halal?
Doubtful — depends on source
E570 (Stearic acid / fatty acids) is a fatty acid that can be animal- or plant-derived — so it is treated as doubtful (mushbooh) unless the source is known.
What is E570?
Stearic acid is a fatty acid used as an emulsifier, anti-caking agent and glazing agent in foods, and widely in supplements, tablets and cosmetics. It can be obtained from vegetable oils or from animal fats.
Obtained by splitting fats and oils into their fatty acids. The feedstock can be vegetable (e.g. palm) or animal (tallow) — the label rarely says which.
Why is it doubtful (mushbooh)?
Stearic acid is doubtful because it can be plant- or animal-derived, and the source is usually unstated. Plant-derived stearic acid is halal; animal-fat stearic acid is only permissible if from a halal animal. Verify before assuming — much commercial stearic acid is palm-derived, but this should be confirmed.
Commonly found in
It may be found in — this does not mean every product below contains it.
- Confectionery and baked goods
- Supplements and tablets
- Chewing gum
- Cosmetics and personal care (non-food)
How it appears on labels
Stearic acidFatty acidsE570Octadecanoic acidINS number: 570
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 or contact the manufacturer, since the fat source is usually not printed on the label.
Check MUIS HalalSGSources: EFSA, FAO/WHO, MUIS · Last reviewed: July 2026 · This guidance is not certification.
Frequently asked questions
Is E570 (stearic acid) halal?
It is doubtful (mushbooh). It can be plant- or animal-derived, and the source is usually unstated — verify with certification or the manufacturer.
Is stearic acid from pork?
It can be from animal fat (possibly including pork sources), but it is also commonly palm/vegetable-derived. Confirm via certification or the manufacturer.
What names should I look for?
'Stearic acid', 'Fatty acids' or 'E570'.
Related ingredients
Sources & methodology
- Re-evaluation of fatty acids (E 570) as a food additive — European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) · Source can be plant 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.