Emulsifier, thickener or gelling agent
Is E471 (Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids) halal?
The emulsifier in bread, ice cream, margarine and peanut butter. The same E-number covers palm-oil production and pig-fat production, and food law does not make the manufacturer tell you which.
Halal when made from plant oil; haram when made from pork fat or non-zabiha animal fat. The label never says which — this is the most common doubtful additive in processed food.
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 E471 in this product: is the fat from plant oil, synthetic, or animal? If animal, which species and was it slaughtered as halal?
The detail
Mono- and diglycerides are made by reacting glycerol with fatty acids, and those fatty acids can come from palm oil or from rendered animal fat including lard. HalalCodeCheck puts it plainly: the same code can be perfectly halal or clearly haram depending on whether it came from palm oil or pork fat. The American Halal Foundation confirms plant-oil versions are halal while animal versions require verification and halal slaughter. IFANCA lists mono/diglycerides among doubtful ingredients in bread, ice cream and candy. The practical resolutions accepted by the Hanafi, Maliki and Shafi'i mainstream (per HalalCodeCheck's survey): a 'suitable for vegetarians/vegans' declaration, or a halal certification mark.
What the sources say
Mushbooh, Halal if it is from plant fat, Haraam if it is from pork fat
The same code, E471, can be perfectly halal or clearly haram depending on whether it came from palm oil or pork fat.
E471 (Mono- and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids) can be derived from either plant oils (halal) or animal fats (requires verification).
E471 (mono- and diglycerides) is mashbooh — halal only if plant-sourced or halal-certified.
Ice Cream — Whey, Artificial flavor, Mono/Diglycerides
Where you will run into it
- Bread and tortillas
- Ice cream
- Margarine and spreads
- Peanut butter
- Cake mixes
- Coffee creamers
How to check it yourself
Three acceptable resolutions: a halal certification mark, a 'suitable for vegans' declaration (rules out animal fat), or a written manufacturer answer naming plant oil. Bare 'E471' or 'mono- and diglycerides' with none of these stays doubtful.
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 E471 in this product: is the fat from plant oil, synthetic, or animal? If animal, which species and was it slaughtered as halal?
Quick facts
| E-number | E471 |
|---|---|
| Name | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids |
| Also on labels as | mono- and diglycerides, monoglycerides, diglycerides, mono and diglycerides of fatty acids, mdg, mono and diglycerides |
| Additive class | Emulsifier, thickener or gelling agent |
| Classification | Source-dependent |
| Source last accessed | 2026-08-21 |
Common questions
Is E471 (Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids) halal?
Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids is classified as Source-dependent. Halal when made from plant oil; haram when made from pork fat or non-zabiha animal fat. The label never says which — this is the most common doubtful additive in processed food.
Is Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids halal or haram?
On the evidence cited on this page, Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids 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 Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids called on ingredient labels?
It can appear as: mono- and diglycerides, monoglycerides, diglycerides, mono and diglycerides of fatty acids, mdg, mono and diglycerides.
Why isn't there a single yes/no answer for E471?
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
- Mono/Diglycerides (plant-derived)Halal
- Mono/Diglycerides (animal-derived)Unverified
- Glycerin (glycerol)Source-dependent
- Magnesium stearateSource-dependent
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