فَكُلُواْ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ اللّهُ حَلالًا طَيِّبًا وَاشْكُرُواْ نِعْمَتَ اللّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ إِيَّاهُ تَعْبُدُونَ
Al Qur’an 16:114
Eat of the lawful and good things with which allah has provided you and be thankful for the favors of allah if it is he you worship.
E numbers refer to codes assigned to chemicals that serve as food additives in the European Union and Switzerland. The “E” in E numbers stands for “Europe”. These codes can be found on food labels across the European Union. The European Food Safety Authority is responsible for assessing the safety and granting approval for the use of these additives.
Types:
- E100–E199 (colours)
- E200–E299 (preservatives)
- E300–E399 (antioxidants, acidity regulators)
- E400–E499 (thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers)
- E500–E599 (acidity regulators, anti-caking agents)
- E600–E699 (flavour enhancers)
- E700–E799 (antibiotics)
- E900–E999 (glazing agents and sweeteners)
- E1000–E1599 (additional chemicals)
The ingredients in food products must be of concern for Muslims, as some foods may contain Haram E Numbers that are not immediately apparent. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the ingredients before consuming any food item. Sharia recognizes three categories of food: Halal (permissible), Haram (impermissible), and Mashbuh, the latter being doubtful as some E Numbers may originate from animals or plants. One can avoid doubt by checking if the additive is suitable for vegetarians and free from any alcohol or halal-certified.
“ دَعْ مَا يَرِيبُكَ إِلَى مَا لاَ 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.”
Although some scholars may deem certain E Numbers permissible, others may not, it is better to avoid doubt. It is worth noting that some E Numbers may not be listed here, and other websites may hold different opinions. Nonetheless, the SANHA organization and the GMWA Food-guide are dependable for information produced here.
Haram
- E120 – Cochineal, Carminic acid or carmine )
- E441 – Gelatin (from pig or beef)
- E542 – Edible bone phosphate (from animal bones)
- E904 – Shellac (from the secretion of the lac insect)
Depends on source/process
- E322 – Lecithin
- E471 – Mono and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids
- E920 – L-cysteine
- E921 – L-cysteine hydrochloride
- E542 – Edible Bone Phosphate
- E631 – Disodium Inosinate
- E635 – Disodium Ribonucleotides
Doubted
- 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)
- E1518 (Glyceryl Triacetate)
- E153 (Carbon Black)
- E161(g) (Canthaxanthin)
- E252 (Potassium Nitrate)
- E290 (Carbon Dioxide)
- E334 (L-(+)-Tartaric Acid)
- E335 (Sodium L-(+)-tartrate)
- E336 (Cream of Tartar)
- E337 (Potassium Sodium L-(+)-Tartrate)
- E353 (Metatartaric Acid)
- E354 (Calcium Tartrate)
- E430 (Polyoxyethylene (8) Stearate)
- E431 (Polyoxyethylene (40) Stearate)
- E433 (Tween 80)
- E435 (Tween 60)
- E436 (Tween 65)
- E440(a) (Pectin)
- E440(b) (Amidated Pectin)
- E445 (Glycerol Esters of Wood Rosin)
- E470 (Sodium, Potassium, & Calcium Salts of Fatty Acids)
- E470b (Magnesium Salts of Fatty Acids)
- E472(a) (Acetoglycerides)
- E472(b) (Lactoglycerides)
- E472(c) (Citroglycerides)
- E472(d) (Tartaric acid glycerol esters)
- E472(e) (Acetyltartaric acid glycerol esters)
- E472f (Mixed Acetic & Tartaric Acid Esters of Mono & Digl)
- E473 (Sucrose Esters of Fatty Acids)
- E474 (Sucroglycerides)
- E475 (Polyglycerol Esters of Fatty Acids)
- E476 (Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate)
- E477 (Propylene Glycol Esters of Fatty Acids)
- E478 (Lactylated Fatty Acid Esters)
- E479b (Thermally oxidized Soya Bean Oil interacted with M)
- E481 (Sodium Stearoyl-2 lactylate)
- E482 (Calcium Stearoyl-2-lactylate)
- E483 (Stearyl Tartrate)
- E491 (Sorbitan Monostearate)
- E492 (Sorbitan Tristearate)
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