Is E464 halal?
E464 is generally considered halal. E464 — Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (hypromellose) — is used in food as emulsifier, stabiliser, thickener. The assessment is straightforward here: E464 is produced from plant or mineral raw materials, a category Islamic dietary law accepts in food. That holds regardless of brand, so a product is not made doubtful by containing E464 alone.
Automated classification, not a religious ruling. No scholar or certification body has reviewed this assessment — always check the product's own halal certification.
What is E464?
Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (hypromellose). Emulsifier
Where does E464 come from?
E464 is obtained from plant, mineral or synthetic sources, so it raises no animal-derivation concern on its own.
Sourcing and scholarly views on E464
There is no significant scholarly disagreement over additives like E464. Substances of plant, mineral or synthetic origin are permissible across the schools of Islamic law, under the principle that foods are permitted unless specifically prohibited — the position the European Council for Fatwa and Research applies to plant-derived and synthetic E-numbers. The practical question scholars do raise is cross-contamination during manufacturing, which is a matter for product certification rather than for the additive itself.
- Islamweb fatwa 286777 — the European Council for Fatwa and Research's four-category ruling on E-additives (in Arabic)
- Islamweb fatwa 83073 — ingredients on foods with code numbers: purity and transformation principles
- Islamweb fatwa 219985 — E-numbered preservatives: verification before prohibition (in Arabic)
| Function | Emulsifier, Stabiliser, Thickener |
|---|---|
| Is E464 vegetarian? | Suitable for vegetarians |
| Approved in the EU | Yes |
| Food-safety regulator | U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food safety only — not a halal authority. |
E464 is identified internationally as Codex/INS 464.
EU approval: Yes.
Vegetarian status: Suitable for vegetarians.
Products containing E464
Products in our database that list E464 among their ingredients:
- the original 10 potato waffles — Birds Eye (Halal)
- Tiger Bloomer — Warburtons Gluten Free (Halal)
- PAIN CAMPAGNARD - Grandes tranches — Schär (Halal)
- MAESTRO CLASSIC - Pain de mie tranché nature — Schär (Halal)
- MAESTRO CEREALE - Pain aux céréales tranché — Schär (Halal)
How this verdict was reached
E464 is made from plant or mineral raw materials, with no animal input.
Maintained and reviewed by the Halal & Healthy team. About Halal & Healthy · Read the full methodology
What this is based on
The classification of E464 rests on public records rather than opinion: the Open Food Facts taxonomy supplies the origin signal and the technological function, the UK Food Standards Agency register confirms authorisation status, and Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 defines which raw materials it may legally be made from.
Frequently asked questions
Is E464 halal?
E464 is generally considered halal. E464 — Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (hypromellose) — is used in food as emulsifier, stabiliser, thickener. The assessment is straightforward here: E464 is produced from plant or mineral raw materials, a category Islamic dietary law accepts in food. That holds regardless of brand, so a product is not made doubtful by containing E464 alone.
Where does E464 come from?
E464 is obtained from plant, mineral or synthetic sources, so it raises no animal-derivation concern on its own.
Do all scholars agree on E464?
There is no significant scholarly disagreement over additives like E464. Substances of plant, mineral or synthetic origin are permissible across the schools of Islamic law, under the principle that foods are permitted unless specifically prohibited — the position the European Council for Fatwa and Research applies to plant-derived and synthetic E-numbers. The practical question scholars do raise is cross-contamination during manufacturing, which is a matter for product certification rather than for the additive itself.
How does E464 relate to Codex/INS numbering and regional food-safety rules?
E464 is identified internationally as Codex/INS 464. EU approval: Yes. Vegetarian status: Suitable for vegetarians.
How this verdict was reached
E464 is made from plant or mineral raw materials, with no animal input.
Which additives are related to E464?
Same function — Emulsifier: E463, E465, E466, E461; Same E-number series — Thickeners, stabilisers and emulsifiers: E462, E467, E460, E468
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