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E Numbers

“A person after travelling a long distance, with dispersed hairs and covered with dust, raises his hands for the prayer and says O Allah!, O Allah! But his food is Haram, his drink is Haram and his dress is Haram. So how can his prayer be accepted by Allah?” (Mishkat Sharif)

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E Numbers - Animal Origin (Haram) E Numbers

The E-Numbers given in the table below have and can only be derived from animal origin as there are currently no vegetarian alternatives. However, some such as Gelatine can be produced using the Halal Slaughter method, thus making it ok to consume by the Muslim market. However, Please do not eat products which have E-numbers that claim to be Halal, simply because it says ‘Halal’ on the packaging; make sure it has been checked by an authentic certification body or Halal Authority such as All Things Halal.


E-Number Name Origin Origin(Other)
E120 (i) Carmine Natural red food colour isolated from the insects Dactylopius coccus, living on different species of succulents. E120(i) is the pure colour, whereas E120(ii) is the crude extract
E120 (ii) Cochineal Extract Natural red food colour isolated from the insects Dactylopius coccus, living on different species of succulents. E120(i) is the pure colour, whereas E120(ii) is the crude extract
E441 Gelatin Obtained from animal by-products, such as bones and hides. It can be produced from all species of animals
E485 Gelatin Obtained from animal by-products, such as bones and hides. It can be produced from all species of animals
E542 Edible bone phosphate Produced from animal bones From animal bones. Since the BSE crisis mainly from pork, but other animal bones are used
E904 Lac, Shellac Natural polymer derived from certain species of lice from India
E913 Lanoline A wax from sheep. It is excreted by the skin of the sheep and extracted from the wool
E921 L-Cystine An essential amino acid, present in all protein (essential indicates that it is needed by the human body). Derived from proteins, including animal protein and hair E921 can be obtained from animal sources, including pork.
E965 Maltitol Maltitol is a sugar alcohol (a polyol) used as a sugar substitute
E1000 Cholic acid Normal component of the bile of all vertebrates. Extracted from the bile of cows, but can also be produced synthetically From beef (bile)
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