Emulsifier, thickener or gelling agent
Is Sorbitan Stearate halal?
Depends on origin. SANHA classes E491 as mushbooh pending verification of the stearic-acid feedstock.
Depends on origin. SANHA classes E491 as mushbooh pending verification of the stearic-acid feedstock.
What we know
Named sources are on this page. Classification: Source-dependent.
What we don’t know
The pack in your hand does not, by itself, name the raw material or process.
Why it matters
Doubtful until the source is known (mashbooh)
What to verify
For Sorbitan Stearate in this product: is the fat from plant oil, synthetic, or animal? If animal, which species and was it slaughtered as halal?
What the sources say
Halal when stearic acid is plant-derived. Mashbooh if stearic acid source is unspecified. Non-ionic emulsifier.
Status: Mushbooh Source: from stearic acid & sorbitol. Check source of stearic acid.
What to ask the manufacturer
A recognised halal mark or a vegan declaration can settle this instead. If you email the brand, send one specific question:
For Sorbitan Stearate in this product: is the fat from plant oil, synthetic, or animal? If animal, which species and was it slaughtered as halal?
Other ingredients — the bottle audit
Pharmacists do not certify a brand from the front of the tub. They read the shell, the lubricant, the carrier and the colour. Each line is a catalogue row. This is not a product certificate.
- Capsule shell. Gelatin, HPMC (hypromellose) or pullulan. Bare gelatin follows the capsule row — it is not the powder. Gelatin capsules · HPMC · Pullulan
- Glycerin / glycerol. Softgels and liquid drops. Plant or synthetic settles it; animal fat does not. The bottle rarely says which. E422 glycerol
- Magnesium stearate. The lubricant in most tablets. Vegetable or synthetic vs animal including porcine. A vegetarian capsule does not settle the powder inside. E572 magnesium stearate
- Flavourings. Natural flavour can hide an ethanol carrier. Vanilla extract is a different, disputed row. Natural flavours · Vanilla extract
- Colour. Carmine / cochineal (E120) is insect. Plant colours are a different page. Natural colour is not a plant guarantee. E120 carmine
Creatine powder is a different question from a creatine capsule. D3 wants lanolin vs lichen. Collagen wants a species.
Quick facts
| Name | Sorbitan Stearate |
|---|---|
| Also on labels as | span 60, sorbitan monostearate |
| Additive class | Emulsifier, thickener or gelling agent |
| Classification | Source-dependent |
| Source last accessed | 2026-08-29 |
Common questions
Is Sorbitan Stearate halal?
Sorbitan Stearate is classified as Source-dependent. Depends on origin. SANHA classes E491 as mushbooh pending verification of the stearic-acid feedstock.
Is Sorbitan Stearate halal or haram?
On the evidence cited on this page, Sorbitan Stearate is source-dependent. Doubtful until the source is known (mashbooh) Every position is attributed to a named certifier or scholarly body with a link, so you can verify it directly.
What else is Sorbitan Stearate called on ingredient labels?
It can appear as: span 60, sorbitan monostearate.
Why isn't there a single yes/no answer for Sorbitan Stearate?
Because the ruling depends on information the label does not carry — the source material, the production route, or which scholarly position you follow. This page shows each named position with a link so you can check it yourself.
Where does this page's information come from?
Every position on this page is attributed to a named certifier or scholarly body with a direct link, listed under 'What the sources say'. Muttoo aggregates and cites; it does not issue rulings.
Related lookups
- E435 Polyoxyethane (20) Sorbitan MonostearateSource-dependent
- E491 Sorbitan MonostearateSource-dependent
Record ingredient-sorbitan-stearate · report an error