Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah

Emulsifiers from Europe, U.S., and Africa

· 7 Shaʻban 1421 AH1 min readFatwa 1471English

Question

It will be a great help if Jamiat can update their readers with the changing E numbers for Europe and states.For many people like myself it is very difficult to get the updated information about the halal E numbers. Please is there a possibility of me getting updated information from you.

Answer

The emulsifiers used by the European countries bearing the E numbers are different to the products manufactured in South Africa. The E numbers appearing on the local products have no definite definition i.e. one company defines E 471 to contain a plant base whilst another company defines E 471 to contain animal base. These are approximately 700+- emulsifiers on the market of which half are animal based and half are plant based.

However, the overseas products with E numbers correspond to the products manufactured in European countries.

Was salaam

Mufti E Desai
Fatwa Dept.

Answered by
Mufti E Desai
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Source: Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah — https://askimam.org/public/question_detail/1471
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/askimam-1471

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