Reference
Halal E-numbers: the complete list of halal, mushbooh and haram E-codes
E-numbers are a European labelling shorthand, not a warning. Most are minerals, plant extracts or synthetics that raise no halal question at all. This reference covers the ones that do.
Most E-numbers are halal, because they are minerals, synthetics or plant extracts. The halal question concentrates in three families: emulsifiers E470–E483 (fatty acids, plant or animal), colourings E120 and E904 (insect derived), and enzymes and processing aids such as E920 L-cysteine and E441 gelatine. Roughly 40 of the ~350 E-numbers in use need source verification.
How to read this list
The classification follows the same three-state system the app uses:
- Halal Mineral, synthetic or plant origin. No source question.
- Mushbooh Can be plant or animal derived, and the label does not say which.
- Haram Animal or alcohol origin in normal production.
Where madhhabs differ, that is noted rather than papered over.
E100–E199: colours
| Code | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| E100 | Curcumin (turmeric) | Halal | Plant |
| E101 | Riboflavin | Mushbooh | Usually fermentation; can be from whey or egg |
| E120 | Cochineal / carmine | Avoid | Insect derived |
| E140 | Chlorophyll | Halal | Plant |
| E141 | Copper chlorophyllin | Halal | Plant + mineral |
| E150a–d | Caramel colour | Halal | Check E150c/d carriers in some markets |
| E153 | Vegetable carbon | Mushbooh | Historically also from bone char |
| E160a | Carotene | Mushbooh | Plant, but gelatin is a common carrier |
| E161g | Canthaxanthin | Halal | Usually synthetic |
| E162–E163 | Beetroot red, anthocyanins | Halal | Plant |
E200–E299: preservatives
This range is almost entirely halal. E200–E203 (sorbates), E210–E219 (benzoates), E220–E228 (sulphites), E249–E252 (nitrites and nitrates) and E260–E263 (acetates) are synthetic or mineral. The exception is E270 lactic acid, which is normally produced by bacterial fermentation of plant sugars and is halal, but has historically been produced on media that were not, hence a mushbooh flag in stricter lists.
E300–E399: antioxidants and acidity regulators
| Code | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| E300–E304 | Ascorbic acid and esters | Halal | E304 ascorbyl palmitate: check fatty acid source |
| E306–E309 | Tocopherols (vitamin E) | Mushbooh | Usually soy; can be animal derived |
| E322 | Lecithin | Usually halal | Soy, sunflower or egg |
| E325–E327 | Lactates | Halal | Not dairy despite the name |
| E330–E333 | Citric acid and citrates | Halal | Fermentation |
| E338–E343 | Phosphoric acid, phosphates | Halal | Mineral |
| E422 | Glycerol / glycerine | Mushbooh | Plant oil or animal fat |
| E441 | Gelatine | Check source | Pork, beef or fish |
E400–E499: thickeners, stabilisers and emulsifiers
This is where most of the real halal risk sits. The gums (E400–E418) are plant or microbial and halal. The problem range is E470–E483, the fatty acid derivatives.
| Code | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| E400–E407 | Alginates, agar, carrageenan | Halal | Seaweed |
| E410–E418 | Locust bean, guar, xanthan, gellan | Halal | Plant / microbial |
| E430–E436 | Polyoxyethylene stearates, polysorbates | Mushbooh | Stearate source |
| E442 | Ammonium phosphatides | Halal | Usually rapeseed |
| E470a/b | Salts of fatty acids | Mushbooh | Plant or tallow |
| E471 | Mono- & diglycerides | Mushbooh | The most common flag of all |
| E472a–f | Esters of mono- & diglycerides | Mushbooh | Same source question as E471 |
| E473–E475 | Sucrose / polyglycerol esters | Mushbooh | Fatty acid source |
| E476 | PGPR | Usually halal | Castor oil |
| E481–E483 | Stearoyl lactylates | Mushbooh | Stearate source |
| E491–E495 | Sorbitan esters | Mushbooh | Stearate source |
E500–E599: anti-caking agents and mineral salts
Largely mineral and halal: E500 sodium carbonates, E501 potassium carbonates, E503 ammonium carbonates, E504 magnesium carbonates, E509 calcium chloride, E551 silicon dioxide. Two to watch:
- Avoid E542 bone phosphate. Derived from animal bone.
- Mushbooh E570 stearic acid and E572 magnesium stearate. Plant or tallow derived.
E600–E699: flavour enhancers
| Code | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| E620–E625 | Glutamates incl. E621 MSG | Usually halal | Bacterial fermentation |
| E626–E629 | Guanylates | Mushbooh | Can be from fish or meat |
| E630–E635 | Inosinates and ribonucleotides | Mushbooh | Fish, meat or fermentation |
| E640 | Glycine | Mushbooh | Can be animal derived |
E900–E1999: glazing agents, sweeteners and enzymes
| Code | Name | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| E901 | Beeswax | Halal | Widely accepted |
| E903 | Carnauba wax | Halal | Palm leaf |
| E904 | Shellac | Disputed / avoid | Lac insect resin |
| E920 | L-cysteine | Mushbooh | Hair, feathers or synthetic |
| E950–E968 | Sweeteners | Halal | Synthetic or plant |
| E1105 | Lysozyme | Halal | Egg white |
| E1400–E1450 | Modified starches | Halal | Plant |
| E1510 | Ethanol | Avoid | See alcohol in food |
| E1520 | Propylene glycol | Halal | Not an intoxicant |
The short version
If you remember nothing else: E120, E441, E471, E472x, E542, E570, E631, E904 and E920 are the codes that account for the overwhelming majority of halal doubt in packaged food. Everything else is usually fine. The complete avoid-list is in haram E-numbers to avoid.
Frequently asked questions
Are all E-numbers artificial or unhealthy?
No. The E prefix simply means the additive has been assessed and approved for use in the European Union. E300 is vitamin C, E101 is vitamin B2 and E160a is beta-carotene from carrots. The number says nothing about whether an additive is natural or healthy, only that it is regulated.
How many E-numbers are actually a halal problem?
Around 40 of roughly 350 in common use need source verification, and about a dozen account for nearly all real-world cases. The emulsifier range E470–E483, plus E120, E441, E542, E631, E904 and E920, cover most of it.
Does "suitable for vegetarians" mean halal?
It resolves the animal-derivative question but not the alcohol one, and it says nothing about slaughter or cross-contamination. A vegetarian label is a strong positive signal for additives like E471 and gelatin, but it is not equivalent to halal certification.
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