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Emulsifiers and stabilisers: halal status of each one

Emulsifiers stop oil and water separating. This is the biggest doubtful group: many are made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat, and labels rarely say which.

31 in this group · 27 need a closer look

Watch for these

All emulsifiers and stabilisers

Number	Name	Used as	Halal status	Why
`E322`	Lecithins	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Usually halal	Usually from soy or sunflower, sometimes egg. All are halal sources. Labels often say 'emulsifier (soy lecithin)'.
`E431`	Polyoxyethylene (40) stearate	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E432`	Polysorbate 20	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E433`	Polysorbate 80	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E434`	Polysorbate 40	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E435`	Polysorbate 60	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E436`	Polysorbate 65	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E442`	Ammonium phosphatides	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Usually halal	Usually from rapeseed oil.
`E444`	Sucrose acetate isobutyrate	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Usually halal	Synthetic.
`E445`	Glycerol esters of wood rosins	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Uses glycerol, which can come from plant oils or animal fat.
`E470`	Salts of fatty acids	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E471`	Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label. One of the most common additives in bread, margarine and ice cream.
`E472a`	Acetic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E472b`	Lactic acid esters of mono- and diglycerides	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E472c`	Citric acid esters of mono- and diglycerides	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E472e`	DATEM	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label. Common in bread.
`E472f`	Mixed tartaric/acetic esters	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E473`	Sucrose esters of fatty acids	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E474`	Sucroglycerides	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E475`	Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E476`	Polyglycerol polyricinoleate (PGPR)	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from castor oil and glycerol; the glycerol can be animal-derived.
`E477`	Propylene glycol esters of fatty acids	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E480`	Dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Usually halal	Synthetic.
`E481`	Sodium stearoyl lactylate	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label. Common in bread and cakes.
`E482`	Calcium stearoyl lactylate	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E491`	Sorbitan monostearate	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E492`	Sorbitan tristearate	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E493`	Sorbitan monolaurate	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E494`	Sorbitan mono-oleate	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E495`	Sorbitan monopalmitate	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.
`E570`	Stearic acid	Emulsifier / stabiliser	Check the source	Made from fatty acids that can come from plant oils or animal fat (including pork). Source is rarely on the label.

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