E920
Also known as: L-Cysteine
A dough conditioner historically derived from human hair or animal feathers; increasingly made synthetically.
Why?
L-cysteine (E920) is used as a dough conditioner in bread and baked goods. It has historically been extracted from human hair, animal feathers, or hog bristles, all of which raise halal concerns (and, for human hair, separate ethical concerns). Since around the 2000s, many manufacturers have shifted to synthetic or bacterial-fermentation production, which is halal, but the source is almost never disclosed on packaging.
Good to know
Most common in commercially baked bread, bagels, and pizza dough.
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.