A GUIDE TO HALAL FOOD SELECTION

1. Check for a Halal logo on the food package.

- If a Halal logo issued by an established Islamic council is
present, then the food can be consumed.
- If a Halal logo is absent, then proceed to Step 2.
2. Read the ingredient listing on the label and then refer to Table 1 and
2. Identify the Halal/Haram/Mashbuh status of each ingredient.
3. If all ingredients of the product are Halal, the product is fit for Muslim
consumption.
4. If any of the ingredients is Haram, the product should not be
consumed.
5. If any ingredient falls under the Mashbuh category, avoid this
product. To find out the status of ingredients, write in or call up the
manufacturer. The product can be consumed only if the manufacturer
claims that the ingredient is of Halal source
Table 1: Islamic Status of Food Additives

NO FOOD ADDITIVE FUNCTIONS ISLAMIC STATUS

1 Acacia gum Stabiliser; emulsifier Halal
2 Adipic acid Tartness Halal
3 Agar Gelling agent; retards sugar crystallisation Halal
4 Algin Suspending & thickening agent; film forming agent; Halal
prevents syneresis
5 Alkali Adjusts alkalinity Halal
6 Ammonium carrageenan Gelling agent Halal (plant)
7 Antioxidant Stabilises fatty acids Mashbuh
8 Artificial colour Adds colour Halal
9 Ascorbic acid Vitamin C; stabiliser; colour preservative Halal
10 Benzoate of Soda Preservative Halal
11 BHA Chemical preservative; antioxidant Halal
12 BHT Chemical preservative; antioxidant Halal
13 Calcium carrageenan Thickener; gelling agent; improves body & mouth feel Halal (plant)

14 Calcium disodium EDTA Sequestrant; stabiliser Halal

15 Calcium propionate Preservative Halal
16 Calcium saccharin Sweetener Halal
17 Calcium salt Flavour enhancer Halal
18 Calcium silicate Anti-caking agent Halal
19 Calcium stearoyl lactylate Whipping agent Mashbuh
NO FOOD ADDITIVE FUNCTIONS ISLAMIC STATUS
20 Carrageenan Gelling agent; emulsifier; thickener; suspending agent Halal (plant)

21 Carrot oil Colouring agent Halal

22 Cellulose gum Stabiliser; solubility Halal
23 Citrate Prevents crystallisation; enhances flavour Halal
24 Cobalt sulphate Prevents oxidative deterioration Halal
25 Corn starch Anti-caking agent; thickener Halal
26 Dextrin Emulsifier Halal
27 Dipotassium phosphate Emulsifier; stabiliser Halal
28 Disodium inosinate Flavour adjuvant Halal
29 Disodium phosphate Emulsifier Halal
30 Erythorbic acid Chemical preservative Halal
31 Ethoxyquin Antioxidant Halal
32 Ferric Orthophosphate Nutritive Halal
33 Ferrous gluconate Nutrient/dietary supplement Halal
34 Fumaric acid Tartness; flavouring agent Halal
35 Glutamic acid Flavour enhancer Halal
36 Glycerine Moistness Mashbuh
37 Glycerol monostearate Moistness; emulsifier Mashbuh
38 Glycine Sweetener Halal
39 Guar gum Stabiliser; thickening agent Halal
40 Gum arabic Emulsifier; thickener; adhesive Halal
41 Gum tragacanth Thickener; binder; stabiliser Mashbuh
42 Hydroxylated lecithin Emulsifier Halal
43 Invertase Prevents crystallising Halal
44 Isopropyl citrate Improves & protects flavour Halal
45 Lactic acid Adjusts acidity; flavouring agent Halal (synthetic)
46 Lactostearin Emulsifier; inhibits spoilage Halal
47 Lactylate Inhibits spoilage; flavouring agent Halal
48 Lecithin Emulsifier Mashbuh
49 Malic acid Malt diastase Halal
50 Malt diastase Prevents crystallising Halal
51 Methyl cellulose Vegetable gum thickener; emulsifier; stabiliser Halal
52 Methyl silicone Better frying; antifoam Halal
53 Mono- & di-glyceride Emulsifiers; extractants; improve texture Mashbuh (Halal
if from plant)
54 MSG Flavour enhancer Halal
55 Oxysterin Inhibits crystallisation; release agent Mashbuh
56 Pectin Suspending agent; improves colour Halal
57 Phosphoric acid Acidulant Halal
58 Polysorbate 60 & Emulsifiers Mashbuh
Polysorbate 80
59 Potassium citrate Sequestrant Halal
60 Potassium phosphate Sequestrant; production of caramel Halal
NO FOOD ADDITIVE FUNCTIONS ISLAMIC STATUS
61 Potassium sorbate Preservative Halal
62 Propyl gallate Antioxidant Halal
63 Propylene glycol Emulsifying agent; solvent Halal
64 Propylene glycol alginate Emulsifier Mashbuh
65 Propylene glycol Emulsifier Mashbuh
monostearate
66 Saccharine Sweetener Halal (discouraged
for health reasons)
67 Silicon dioxide Prevents caking Halal
68 Sodium acid pyrophosphate Sequestrant Halal

69 Sodium alginate Stabiliser Halal

70 Sodium ascorbate Vitamin C; preservative; colour fixative Halal
71 Sodium benzoate Preservative; anti-microbial agent Halal
72 Sodium bicarbonate Chemical preservative Halal
73 Sodium bisulphite Chemical preservative Halal
74 CMC Stabiliser; prevents syneresis; retains moisture Halal
75 Sodium caseinate Binding agent; nutrient Halal
76 Sodium citrate Controls acid; improves & protects flavour Halal
77 Sodium erythorbate Colour fixing agent Halal
78 Sodium hexametaphosphate Sequestrant; water blending agent Halal

79 Sodium lauryl sulphate Whipping agent Mashbuh

80 Sodium nitrate Colour fixative; preservative Halal (watch for
health reason)
81 Sodium nitrite Preservative; colour fixative Halal (discouraged
for health reasons)
82 Sodium phosphate Sequestrant Halal
83 Sodium propionate Anti-microbial agent Halal
84 Sodium silicoaluminate Prevents lumping Halal
85 Sodium stearate Conditioning agent Mashbuh
86 Sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate Suspending agent Mashbuh
87 Sodium sulphite Anti-microbial; preserves colour & flavour Halal
88 Sorbic acid Chemical preservatives Halal
89 Sorbitan monostearate Emulsifier; surfactant Mashbuh
90 Sorbitol Improves texture; nutrient Halal
91 Soybean lecithin Emulsifier Halal
92 Stannous Chloride Chemical preservative Halal
93 Sulphur dioxide Preservative; anti-microbial Halal
94 Tartaric acid Flavour enhancer Halal
95 Titanium dioxide Colouring agent Halal
96 Vanilla Flavouring agent Mashbuh
97 Vanillin Flavouring agent Mashbuh
98 Vinegar Preservative Halal
NO FOOD ADDITIVE FUNCTIONS ISLAMIC STATUS
99 Whey Nutrient Mashbuh (when
enzymes are used,
it should be
investigated)
100 Yeast Fermenting agent Mashbuh (Haram
when it produces
ethyl alcohol
during fermentation)
101 Zein Coating agent Halal

Source: Hussaini, M. (1993). “Islamic Dietary Concepts & Practices”, 1st edition. The Islamic Food &
Nutrition Council of America (IFANCA), USA.

Table 2: Code Number of Haram Food Additives

E120, E140, E141, E252, E422, E430, E431, E470,

Haram additives with “E” prefixes E471, E472(a), E472(b), E472(c), E472(d), E472(e),
E473, E474, E475, E477, E478, E481, E482, E483,
E491, E492, E494.

120, 141, 160(A), 161, 252, 300, 301, 422, 430, 431, 433,
Haram additives without “E” prefixes 435, 436, 441, 470, 471, 472(a, e), 473, 474, 475, 476,
477, 481, 482, 483, 491, 492, 494, 542, 570, 572, 631,
635, 920.

Source: Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS)

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