E471

Can be derived from plant or animal fat; halal only if plant-sourced or from halal-slaughtered animal fat.

Why?

E471 is an emulsifier used widely in baked goods, margarine, and processed foods. It can be manufactured from either vegetable oils or animal fats. When animal-derived, the fat may come from pork or from cattle that were not halal-slaughtered, making the ingredient's status impossible to determine from the name alone. Products explicitly labeled 'vegetable mono- and diglycerides' or certified halal remove the ambiguity.

Good to know

Manufacturers rarely disclose the fat source on packaging, which is why this is one of the most common 'doubtful' flags on processed food labels.

References

• General consensus of major halal certification bodies

Last reviewed: 2026-08-29

This is informational guidance only, not a certified halal determination. Always consult an official halal certification body for certainty.