Complete Halal E-Codes Guide 2026

Last updated: July 2026 · Verified against JAKIM, IFANCA, HMC and EU E-number registry

What are E-codes? E-codes are codes assigned to food additives approved for use in the European Union. They appear on food labels as numbers like E471, E120, or E441. Understanding which E-codes are halal, haram, or doubtful is essential for Muslims following Islamic dietary guidelines. Use our free AI halal checker to instantly verify any E-code.

Quick Reference — Most Searched E-Codes

These are the most commonly searched E-codes by Muslims worldwide in 2026, based on global search data:

E-CodeNameStatusSourceAuthority
E100Curcumin (Turmeric)HalalPlant — turmeric rootJAKIM, IFANCA
E101Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)HalalSynthetic or plant-derivedIFANCA
E120Carmine / CochinealHaramInsect — cochineal bugJAKIM, HMC
E150aCaramel ColourHalalHeated sugar — plantIFANCA
E160aBeta-caroteneHalalPlant or syntheticJAKIM
E200Sorbic AcidHalalSynthetic preservativeEU Registry
E211Sodium BenzoateHalalSynthetic preservativeEU Registry
E252Potassium NitrateHalalSynthetic — mineral saltIFANCA
E300Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)HalalSynthetic or plantJAKIM, IFANCA
E322LecithinDoubtfulSoy (halal) or egg (halal) or animalJAKIM
E422Glycerol / GlycerinDoubtfulAnimal fat or plant oilHMC
E441GelatineHaramUsually pork or unslaughtered animalJAKIM, HMC
E471Mono & Diglycerides of Fatty AcidsDoubtfulAnimal fat or plant oil — source not disclosedJAKIM, HMC
E472Esters of Mono & DiglyceridesDoubtfulAnimal or plant fat derivativesHMC
E542Bone PhosphateHaramAnimal bone — usually porkJAKIM, IFANCA
E631Disodium InosinateDoubtfulAnimal, fish, or syntheticIFANCA
E904ShellacDoubtfulInsect secretion — lac bugHMC
E920L-CysteineDoubtfulAnimal hair, feathers, or syntheticJAKIM
E966LactitolHalalMilk sugar — dairyIFANCA

Understanding E471 — The Most Searched Halal E-Code

E471, known as Mono and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids, is one of the most widely used food additives in the world. Read our complete E471 Halal guide →

E471 is found in thousands of products. It is found in bread, margarine, ice cream, biscuits, chocolate, and hundreds of other everyday products.

Why is E471 Doubtful (Mushbooh)?

E471 can be derived from either plant oils (such as sunflower, soybean, or palm oil) or from animal fats (including pork fat). Food manufacturers are not required to disclose the source of E471 on the packaging, which makes it impossible to determine halal status from the label alone.

Islamic scholars at JAKIM (Malaysia) and HMC (UK) classify E471 as Mushbooh — meaning doubtful — unless the manufacturer provides written certification that it is derived from halal plant sources. Always look for a halal certification logo on the packaging.

Understanding Gelatine (E441) — Always Check the Source

Gelatine is a protein obtained by boiling animal bones, skin, and connective tissue. It is used in jellies, sweets, capsule casings, marshmallows, and many desserts.

Is Gelatine Always Haram?

Not always. The halal status of gelatine depends entirely on its source. Pork gelatine is haram. Bovine (cow) gelatine from an animal slaughtered according to Islamic law is halal. Fish gelatine is halal. Most gelatine used in Western food products is derived from pork, which is why JAKIM and HMC classify it as haram unless certified otherwise.

What is Carmine (E120) and Why is it Haram?

Carmine, also known as cochineal, is a red food colouring derived from the dried bodies of the cochineal insect. It is used in red and pink foods including fruit juices, yoghurts, sweets, and cosmetics.

According to Islamic dietary law, insects are not permissible to consume. JAKIM, IFANCA, and HMC all classify E120 as haram. Look for alternative red colourings from plant sources such as beetroot extract (E162) which is halal.

Halal Certification Authorities — What to Look For

When buying food, look for logos from these trusted halal certification bodies:

Complete A–Z Halal E-Codes List (E100–E999)

Below is a comprehensive reference of E-codes across all categories. Use this list alongside our free AI halal checker for the most accurate, up-to-date verdict on any ingredient.

E100–E199: Colours

E-CodeNameStatusNotes
E100CurcuminHalalFrom turmeric root — plant source
E101RiboflavinHalalVitamin B2 — synthetic or plant
E102TartrazineHalalSynthetic yellow dye
E110Sunset YellowHalalSynthetic — no animal derivatives
E120Carmine (Cochineal)HaramDerived from cochineal insects — not permissible
E122CarmoisineHalalSynthetic red dye
E124Ponceau 4RHalalSynthetic red dye
E129Allura RedHalalSynthetic — widely used in US products
E150a-dCaramel ColoursHalalHeated sugar — plant origin
E160aBeta-caroteneHalalPlant or synthetic
E162Beetroot RedHalalFrom beetroot — fully plant-based
E171Titanium DioxideHalalMineral — inorganic white colour
E174SilverHalalMetallic — permissible in small amounts

E200–E299: Preservatives

E-CodeNameStatusNotes
E200Sorbic AcidHalalSynthetic preservative
E202Potassium SorbateHalalSynthetic preservative
E210Benzoic AcidHalalSynthetic or plant-derived
E211Sodium BenzoateHalalWidely used in drinks
E220Sulphur DioxideHalalSynthetic gas preservative
E249-252Nitrates/NitritesHalalMineral salts used in meats
E270Lactic AcidDoubtfulCan be animal or plant fermentation — check source
E280Propionic AcidHalalSynthetic — used in bread

E300–E399: Antioxidants & Acidity Regulators

E-CodeNameStatusNotes
E300Ascorbic Acid (Vit C)HalalSynthetic or plant — universally halal
E301-304AscorbatesHalalVitamin C salts — synthetic
E306-309Tocopherols (Vit E)HalalPlant-derived antioxidants
E322LecithinDoubtfulUsually soy (halal) but can be animal-derived
E330Citric AcidHalalFermented from plant sugars — universally halal
E341Calcium PhosphatesHalalMineral source — synthetic

E400–E499: Emulsifiers & Stabilisers

This group contains the most debated E-codes for Muslim consumers, because many emulsifiers can be derived from either plant or animal fats.

E-CodeNameStatusNotes
E400-405AlginatesHalalFrom seaweed — plant source
E407CarrageenanHalalFrom red seaweed — plant
E410Locust Bean GumHalalFrom carob tree pods
E412Guar GumHalalFrom guar beans — plant
E414Acacia / Gum ArabicHalalTree sap — plant source
E415Xanthan GumHalalBacterial fermentation of plant sugars
E422GlycerolDoubtfulAnimal fat or plant oil — source varies
E441GelatineHaramMostly pork-derived in Western products
E450DiphosphatesHalalMineral/synthetic — no animal source
E471Mono & DiglyceridesDoubtfulAnimal or plant fat — source not disclosed on labels
E472DATEM / ACETEM etc.DoubtfulDerivatives of E471 — same concern
E481Sodium Stearoyl LactylateDoubtfulStearic acid from animal or plant
E491Sorbitan MonostearateDoubtfulStearic acid source varies

E500–E599: Mineral Salts & Anti-caking Agents

E-CodeNameStatusNotes
E500Sodium CarbonatesHalalMineral/synthetic — baking soda
E503Ammonium CarbonatesHalalSynthetic leavening agent
E542Bone PhosphateHaramFrom animal bone — usually pork
E551Silicon DioxideHalalMineral — inorganic anti-caking agent
E570Fatty AcidsDoubtfulAnimal or plant origin — source unspecified

E600–E699: Flavour Enhancers

E-CodeNameStatusNotes
E620Glutamic AcidHalalFermentation of plant sugars
E621Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)HalalPlant fermentation — halal
E627Disodium GuanylateDoubtfulAnimal, fish or plant source — verify
E631Disodium InosinateDoubtfulOften from pork or fish — check label
E635Disodium RibonucleotidesDoubtfulMix of E627 and E631 — same concerns apply

Halal E-Codes in Multiple Languages — For Muslims Worldwide

Afiya AI serves Muslims across the world. Here is how to search for halal E-codes in your language:

🇩🇪 Deutsch (German)

E471 — Halal oder Haram? Die meisten E-Nummern (E471, E120, E441) sind in Deutschland auf Lebensmittelverpackungen aufgeführt. Nutzen Sie unseren kostenlosen E-Nummern Halal-Checker.

halal e nummern · haram e nummern · e471 halal oder haram

🇫🇷 Français (French)

E471 — Halal ou Haram? Notre vérificateur gratuit vous donne le statut halal de tous les additifs alimentaires européens. Aucune inscription requise.

e471 halal ou haram · codes e halal · vérificateur halal gratuit

🇳🇱 Nederlands (Dutch)

E471 — Halal of Haram? Controleer gratis alle E-nummers op onze website. Geen account nodig. Gebruikt door moslims in Nederland en België.

halal e nummers · e nummers halal · haram e nummers checker

🇸🇦 العربية (Arabic)

هل E471 حلال أم حرام؟ تحقق مجاناً من أي رمز E أو مادة غذائية مضافة — حلال أم حرام أم مشبوه. بدون تسجيل.

رموز E الحلال والحرام · كاشف الحلال · e code halal check

Use Afiya AI to Check Any E-Code Instantly

Instead of memorizing hundreds of E-codes, use our free Afiya AI Halal Checker. Simply type any E-code or ingredient name and get an instant verdict — Halal, Haram, or Doubtful — verified against JAKIM, IFANCA, HMC, and the EU E-number registry. No app download needed, no login required, completely free.

Disclaimer: This information is provided as a general educational reference based on rulings from major halal certification authorities. Always verify the halal status of specific products with your local halal authority or the manufacturer directly. Halal status can vary by country, manufacturing process, and school of Islamic thought.