E120
Doubtful
Carmine / Cochineal
Insect
Derived from cochineal insects. Permitted by some schools, avoided by others.
Ruling changes with your school of thought
E153
Doubtful
Vegetable carbon
Carbonised matter
Plant char is fine; bone char is not. Source must be declared.
E160A
Doubtful
Beta-carotene
Plant or gelatine-coated
Often stabilised in a gelatine matrix.
E422
Doubtful
Glycerol / Glycerine
Plant or animal fat
Tallow-derived glycerine is not permitted. Ask the maker.
E441
Doubtful
Gelatine
Animal collagen
Halal only if from halal-slaughtered cattle or fish. Porcine is prohibited.
E471
Doubtful
Mono- and diglycerides
Plant or animal fat
The single most common ambiguous additive in packaged food.
E472E
Doubtful
DATEM
Plant or animal fat
Emulsifier; fat source must be confirmed.
E631
Doubtful
Disodium inosinate
Meat, fish or fermentation
Frequently produced from sardines, sometimes from pork.
E904
Doubtful
Shellac
Insect resin
Lac insect secretion; rulings vary.
Ruling changes with your school of thought
E920
Doubtful
L-cysteine
Feather, hair or synthetic
Human-hair derived L-cysteine is prohibited outright.
—
Doubtful
Vanilla extract
Ethanol carrier
Standard extract is alcohol-carried; glycerin versions are fine.
—
Doubtful
Rennet
Calf stomach or microbial
Microbial rennet is permitted; animal rennet needs halal slaughter.
—
Doubtful
Whey
Dairy
Depends on the rennet used upstream.
—
Doubtful
Carmine
Insect
See E120.
Ruling changes with your school of thought
—
Doubtful
Glycerol
Plant or animal fat
See E422.
—
Doubtful
Glycerine
Plant or animal fat
See E422.
—
Doubtful
Pepsin
Animal stomach
Often porcine. Source must be named.
—
Doubtful
Collagen
Animal
Bovine collagen needs halal slaughter; porcine is prohibited.
—
Doubtful
Cochineal
Insect
See E120.
Ruling changes with your school of thought
—
Doubtful
Natural flavour
Undeclared
A legal catch-all. Carrier and source are not disclosed on the label.
—
Doubtful
Natural flavor
Undeclared
A legal catch-all. Carrier and source are not disclosed on the label.