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Additive · emulsifier

Is E471 halal?

E471 (mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids) is one of the most widespread emulsifiers: sliced bread, ice cream, biscuits, margarine. It can be made from plant or animal fats, and the code alone does not say which.

Below are the app's encyclopedia entries exactly as Tayib shows them: the four schools' reading, the explanation, the texts and the sources. Tayib informs, it does not certify — for your personal situation, ask a qualified scholar.

5 entries3 min read
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In brief

Is E471 halal?

Mono- and diglycerides (E471): "doubtful" for all four schools in Tayib (possible animal origin). An emulsifier made from plant or animal fats. The label rarely specifies which: doubtful until plant origin is indicated.

When to use it
  • 01.

    In the shop, when "E471" appears on the ingredient list.

  • 02.

    When the label leaves out an ingredient's origin and you want to know what is missing.

  • 03.

    When someone says "it's halal" or "it's haram" with no source, and you want the argument.

5 entries · e471

Mono- and diglycerides (E471)

possible animal origin

4 schools · Doubtful

An emulsifier made from plant or animal fats. The label rarely specifies which: doubtful until plant origin is indicated.

Esters of mono- and diglycerides (E472)

possible animal origin

4 schools · Doubtful

An emulsifier made from plant or animal fats. The label rarely specifies which: doubtful until plant origin is indicated.

Fatty acid esters (E473–E479)

possible animal origin

4 schools · Doubtful

An emulsifier made from plant or animal fats. The label rarely specifies which: doubtful until plant origin is indicated.

Lactylates and stearyl tartrate (E481–E483)

possible animal origin

4 schools · Doubtful

An emulsifier made from plant or animal fats. The label rarely specifies which: doubtful until plant origin is indicated.

Sorbitan esters (E491–E495)

possible animal origin

4 schools · Doubtful

An emulsifier made from plant or animal fats. The label rarely specifies which: doubtful until plant origin is indicated.

Tayib's guide · 3 min

Additives and emulsifiers

E471, E120, E441… what you need to know

The same E number can refer to a plant, animal or synthetic product: the code alone does not indicate origin. This is why many additives are classified as ‘doubtful’ when the label gives no further information.

A plant origin explicitly attached to the additive may resolve the question of its origin. Tayib also uses certain vegetarian or vegan declarations in the product record for ingredients to which they are relevant. These are declared details: they prove neither the absence of alcohol nor compliance with all religious conditions, and do not permit an explicitly forbidden ingredient.

Carmine

Carmine (E120) is a red colouring extracted from cochineal, an insect. The Maliki permission regarding insects includes conditions whose application to the industrial production of carmine must be checked. Some contemporary institutions permit carmine under their conditions, while others reject it; Tayib presents these opinions separately. Rules concerning insects also include exceptions, notably locusts.

ٱلَّذِينَ يَتَّبِعُونَ ٱلرَّسُولَ ٱلنَّبِىَّ ٱلْأُمِّىَّ ٱلَّذِى يَجِدُونَهُۥ مَكْتُوبًا عِندَهُمْ فِى ٱلتَّوْرَىٰةِ وَٱلْإِنجِيلِ يَأْمُرُهُم بِٱلْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَىٰهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمُنكَرِ وَيُحِلُّ لَهُمُ ٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ وَيُحَرِّمُ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْخَبَـٰٓئِثَ وَيَضَعُ عَنْهُمْ إِصْرَهُمْ وَٱلْأَغْلَـٰلَ ٱلَّتِى كَانَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۚ فَٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِهِۦ وَعَزَّرُوهُ وَنَصَرُوهُ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلنُّورَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ مَعَهُۥٓ ۙ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ

“Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered prophet, whom they find written [i.e., described] in what they have of the Torah and the Gospel, who enjoins upon them what is right and prohibits them from what is wrong and makes lawful for them what is good and forbids them from what is evil and relieves them of their burden and the shackles which were upon them. So they who have believed in him, honored him, supported him and followed the light which was sent down with him - it is those who will be the successful.”
— Qur’an 7:157
Frequently asked

What people often ask

Esters of mono- and diglycerides (E472): "doubtful" for all four schools in Tayib (possible animal origin). An emulsifier made from plant or animal fats. The label rarely specifies which: doubtful until plant origin is indicated.

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