E Numbers: Halal & Haram Food Additives Guide
Complete guide to E numbers for Muslims — which additives are Ḥarām (E120, E441), which depend on source (E471, E322), and which are doubtful. Updated for 2026.
فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللّهُ حَلالًا طَيِّبًا وَاشْكُرُواْ نِعْمَتَ اللّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
“Eat of the lawful and good things with which Allah has provided you and be thankful for the favours of Allah, if it is He you worship.”
— al-Qur’ān, 16:114
Table of contents
- What are E numbers?
- The Islamic categories of food
- Ḥarām E numbers
- Depends on source or process
- Doubtful E numbers
- How to check before buying
- Further resources
Quick summary
E numbers are codes for food additives used across the EU. For Muslims, they matter because some are derived from animals slaughtered outside Sharīʿah, from insects, or from alcohol-based processes. Sharīʿah classifies food as Ḥalāl, Ḥarām, or Mashbūh (doubtful). When in doubt, leave it out, and check the SANHA or GMWA Food-Guide for up-to-date rulings.
What are E numbers?
E numbers refer to codes assigned to chemicals that serve as food additives in the European Union and Switzerland. The “E” stands for “Europe”. These codes appear on food labels and are approved by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which is responsible for assessing the safety of each additive before it can be used.
Categories of E numbers
| Range | Type |
|---|---|
| E100–E199 | Colours |
| E200–E299 | Preservatives |
| E300–E399 | Antioxidants and acidity regulators |
| E400–E499 | Thickeners, stabilisers, and emulsifiers |
| E500–E599 | Acidity regulators and anti-caking agents |
| E600–E699 | Flavour enhancers |
| E700–E799 | Antibiotics |
| E900–E999 | Glazing agents and sweeteners |
| E1000–E1599 | Additional chemicals |
The Islamic categories of food
Sharīʿah recognises three categories of food:
Ḥalāl — permissible and confirmed free from prohibited substances.
Ḥarām — definitively impermissible; consuming it is sinful.
Mashbūh — doubtful, where the source or process is unclear. Some E numbers may originate from animals, plants, or synthetic routes, and it is not always stated on the label.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
دَعْ مَا يَرِيبُكَ إِلَى مَا لَا يَرِيبُكَ، فَإِنَّ الصِّدْقَ طُمَأْنِينَةٌ، وَإِنَّ الْكَذِبَ رِيبَةٌ
“Leave what makes you in doubt for what does not make you in doubt. The truth brings tranquillity while falsehood sows doubt.”
— Sunan al-Tirmidhī, 2518
Although scholars may differ on the precise status of certain E numbers, the principle of avoiding doubt is sound. The information here draws primarily on the SANHA organisation and the GMWA Food-Guide, which are reliable and up-to-date sources for UK Muslims.
Ḥarām E numbers
These additives are derived from sources that are definitively impermissible under Sharīʿah:
| E Number | Name | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| E120 | Cochineal / Carminic acid / Carmine | Derived from female cochineal insects — see note below |
| E441 | Gelatin | Derived from pig skin or bones, or non-ḥalāl slaughtered beef |
| E542 | Edible bone phosphate | Derived from animal bones (often porcine or non-ḥalāl) |
| E904 | Shellac | Secretion of the lac insect (Laccifer lacca) |
A note on E120 — Cochineal
E120 (carmine) is a vivid red dye made from the powdered bodies of female cochineal insects, boiled in ammonia or sodium carbonate. It produces scarlet, orange, and deep-red tints, and is found in fruit drinks, yoghurts, and confectionery.
The Islamic ruling is clear: locusts are the only insect that may be consumed without full slaughter, based on a narration of Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with him). All other insects are Ḥarām because they cannot be slaughtered according to Sharīʿah. Imām Mālik held a broader view allowing insects killed by boiling or roasting with the name of Allah mentioned, but the majority position — and the safer one — is that E120 is Ḥarām. Check product labels carefully; it may appear simply as “natural red colour”.
Depends on source or process
These E numbers are permissible if derived from a ḥalāl source or produced synthetically, but Ḥarām if from an impermissible animal. Always verify with the manufacturer or look for ḥalāl certification.
| E Number | Name | Why it varies |
|---|---|---|
| E322 | Lecithin | Usually soya-derived (ḥalāl), but can be from egg or animal fat |
| E471 | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids | Can come from animal (pork) or plant fat — source must be confirmed |
| E542 | Edible bone phosphate | Listed here and in Ḥarām — permissible only if from ḥalāl-slaughtered animals |
| E631 | Disodium inosinate | Often derived from meat or fish — requires ḥalāl/vegetarian confirmation |
| E635 | Disodium ribonucleotides | Blend of E627 and E631 — same concern as E631 |
| E920 | L-cysteine | Commonly from duck or pig feathers, or human hair — seek vegetarian/synthetic version |
| E921 | L-cysteine hydrochloride | Same source concern as E920 |
Doubtful E numbers
The following E numbers are of uncertain status: they may involve animal-derived ingredients, alcohol-based carriers, or unclear manufacturing processes. Scholars differ on their permissibility. The cautious position is to avoid them unless ḥalāl-certified or confirmed suitable for vegetarians.
| E Number | Name |
|---|---|
| E153 | Vegetable carbon (Carbon black) |
| E161(g) | Canthaxanthin |
| E252 | Potassium nitrate |
| E290 | Carbon dioxide |
| E334 | L-(+)-Tartaric acid |
| E335 | Sodium L-(+)-tartrate |
| E336 | Cream of tartar (Potassium bitartrate) |
| E337 | Potassium sodium L-(+)-tartrate |
| E353 | Metatartaric acid |
| E354 | Calcium tartrate |
| E430 | Polyoxyethylene (8) stearate |
| E431 | Polyoxyethylene (40) stearate |
| E433 | Polysorbate 80 (Tween 80) |
| E435 | Polysorbate 60 (Tween 60) |
| E436 | Polysorbate 65 (Tween 65) |
| E440(a) | Pectin |
| E440(b) | Amidated pectin |
| E445 | Glycerol esters of wood rosin |
| E470 | Sodium, potassium and calcium salts of fatty acids |
| E470b | Magnesium salts of fatty acids |
| E472(a) | Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (Acetoglycerides) |
| E472(b) | Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (Lactoglycerides) |
| E472(c) | Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (Citroglycerides) |
| E472(d) | Tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides |
| E472(e) | Diacetyl tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides (DATEM) |
| E472f | Mixed acetic and tartaric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides |
| E473 | Sucrose esters of fatty acids |
| E474 | Sucroglycerides |
| E475 | Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids |
| E476 | Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR) |
| E477 | Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids |
| E478 | Lactylated fatty acid esters of glycerol and propylene glycol |
| E479b | Thermally oxidised soya bean oil interacted with mono- and diglycerides |
| E481 | Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL) |
| E482 | Calcium stearoyl-2-lactylate (CSL) |
| E483 | Stearyl tartrate |
| E491 | Sorbitan monostearate |
| E492 | Sorbitan tristearate |
| E1000 | Cholic acid |
| E1405 | Enzyme treated starch |
| E1423 | Acetylated distarch glycerol |
| E1430 | Distarch glycerine |
| E1441 | Hydroxy propyl distarch glycerine |
| E1443 | Hydroxy propyl starch glycerol |
| E1510 | Ethanol |
| E1517 | Glyceryl diacetate (Diacetin) |
| E1518 | Glyceryl triacetate (Triacetin) |
Note: this list reflects the guidance of SANHA and the GMWA Food-Guide. Other scholars or certification bodies may hold different opinions on individual additives.
How to check before buying
Three quick steps before purchasing a product you are unsure about:
1 — Check for vegetarian suitability. Products labelled “suitable for vegetarians” or “vegan” will not contain E numbers derived from animal fat or slaughtered animals. This rules out most concerns with E471, E920, and similar additives.
2 — Look for ḥalāl certification. A certified ḥalāl stamp from a recognised body (HMC, HFA, SANHA) confirms the additives were verified. It is the most reliable assurance.
3 — Contact the manufacturer. For products without clear labelling, the manufacturer’s consumer helpline can confirm the source of specific additives. Ask directly: “Is [E number] in this product derived from pork or non-ḥalāl animals?”
When no confirmation is available: leave it.
Further resources
For authoritative and regularly updated guidance, consult:
- SANHA (UK) — Halal food certification and E number guidance
- GMWA Food-Guide — published by the Greater Manchester Waqf Authority; available from local Islamic centres
- EFSA Food Additives database — official EU source for additive approvals and safety assessments
