The 5 E-Numbers Every Muslim Should Avoid (Beyond E471)

If you grew up in a Muslim household, you probably know the drill: check the back of the packet, scan for E471 (Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids), and panic if you see it.

For decades, E471 has been the “boogeyman” of Halal grocery shopping. But here is the truth: E471 is often plant-based (Halal). It’s a “maybe.” If you are confused about this specific ingredient, read our definitive guide: Is E471 Halal? to understand exactly how to spot the difference.

While you are busy worrying about E471, you might be missing other additives that are far more problematic—ingredients derived from insects, human hair, and pig bones.

Here are the 5 E-numbers that are significantly riskier than E471, and why they should be on your “Red List.”

1. E120 (Carmine / Cochineal) 🐞

The Source: Crushed Insects. Found In: Red candies, strawberry yogurts, juices, and lipstick.

This is the big one. E120 is a bright red food dye made by boiling and crushing thousands of female cochineal beetles.

• The Verdict: According to the majority of scholars (including the Hanafi madhab), consuming insects is forbidden, making E120 Haram.
• The Trap: It is often labeled as “Natural Red 4” to sound appealing. “Natural” just means it comes from a bug, not a lab.

Deep Dive: Want to know why some scholars debate this? Read Is E120 Halal? The Shocking Truth About Carmine.

2. E920 (L-Cysteine) 💇‍♂️

The Source: Human Hair or Duck Feathers. Found In: Bagels, pizza crusts, commercial bread, and donuts.

This amino acid is used as a dough conditioner to make mass-produced bread soft and stretchy.

• The Verdict: While synthetic versions exist, the cheapest source of L-Cysteine is often human hair (gathered from barbershops) or duck feathers. Consuming human byproducts is strictly Haram in Islam.
• The Trap: It is often labeled as “Vegetarian” because no animal was slaughtered to get it.

Check your bakery: L-Cysteine is the main reason why bread isn’t always safe. See our guide on The Shocking Truth About Supermarket Bread.

3. E542 (Edible Bone Phosphate) 🦴

The Source: Animal Bones (often Pork or Cattle). Found In: Anti-caking agents in dry powders, supplements, and some processed cheeses.

This additive prevents dry powders from clumping together. It is literally made from the bones of animals.

• The Verdict: Unless the source is explicitly stated as Zabiha beef (which is rare in the West), there is a high probability it is derived from pork bones or non-Halal cattle. This makes it Haram or highly Mushbooh.

4. E441 (Gelatin) 🐖

The Source: Skin and Bones of Pigs or Cattle. Found In: Gummies, marshmallows, mousses, and medicine capsules.

Technically, Gelatin is E441, though you will rarely see the code on the label—manufacturers prefer the word “Gelatin.”

• The Verdict: In the West, if the source isn’t specified, the default is Pork. If it’s beef, it’s usually non-Zabiha.
• The Trap: “Kosher” gelatin is often beef-based but not Zabiha. Check your level of strictness here.

Go Deeper: Gelatin is complex, especially in medicines. Read our Guide to Gelatin in the USA.

5. E904 (Shellac) 🍬

The Source: Insect Secretion (Lac beetle) + Alcohol. Found In: Shiny coatings on chocolates, jelly beans, and pills.

Shellac is the resin secreted by the female lac bug. It gives chocolate-covered raisins that nice shine.

• The Verdict: While the resin itself is debated (some say Halal, some say Haram like E120), the processing almost always involves dissolving the resin in ethanol (alcohol) before spraying it on food. This makes it a major grey area (Mushbooh).

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Conclusion

E471 is ambiguous, but E120, E920, and E542 are clear red flags.

The problem is that modern food science is complex. Memorizing a list of numbers is hard, especially when manufacturers switch between names and codes.

The safest way to shop is to use an AI scanner like Tayib that has these rules built-in. It does the chemical analysis for you in milliseconds, so you can shop with confidence.