Most-asked question
Are E-numbers and food additives halaal?
25 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 3 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, Azaadville). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
“It is essential that you clarify the source of the emulsifier. If the emulsifier contains ingredients derived from a halal animal that is slaughtered according to the laws of Shariah, then such emulsifiers are permissible to consume.”
“If there are no haraam contents in the glycerin it is permissible.”
“E120 also known as carmine, crimson lake or carmine lake, cochineal, natural red 4, C.I. 75470, or Red 4 is extracted from the crushed carcasses of the female Dactylopius coccus, a cactus-feeding scale insect, which is killed by either immersion in hot water or by exposure to sunlight, steam, or the heat of an oven.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- E120/Cochineal/Carmine Azaadville · 19 Aug 2023
- Permissibility of using glycerine AskImam · 3 Mar 2021
- Dishwashing tablet containing glycerine and alcohol Mufti Online · 14 Oct 2017
- Will products containing glycerin be permissible for usage due to umoom-e-balwa AskImam · 3 Nov 2018
- Using glycerin in medication and soaps Mufti Online · 2 May 2017
- Is the external usage of glycerin permissible? AskImam · 28 Sep 2018
- Glycerin Mufti Online · 10 Nov 2016
- What is the proof that red color E120 is impermissible? AskImam · 14 Jun 2018
- Ingredients information regarding E422 AskImam · 3 May 2015
- Is it allowed to consume such type of food which has ingredients as emulsifiers? AskImam · 19 Aug 2014
- Are emulsifiers and medicine capsules halal? AskImam · 23 Jun 2014
- Alhamdollilah we take care of eating halal here. when we came here we heard abouhe chemicals mono and diglycerides. AskImam · 24 Nov 2008
- Is propylene glycol and sucrose of fatty acids (E473) Halaal? AskImam · 9 Jun 2007
- Can you specify in what products Glycerin (from animal or plant) is Permissible i.e. Soaps, Lotions, shampoos, facial cleansers, etc. AskImam · 7 Sep 2004
- Emulsifiers from Europe, U.S., and Africa AskImam · 3 Nov 2000
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