Emulsifier, thickener or gelling agent
Is E570 (Stearic acid) halal?
A fatty acid used as a lubricant and hardener in foods, tablets and cosmetics. Plant-derived stearic acid is the halal industry standard, but the same name covers the pig-fat version.
Halal from plant fat — the halal industry standard; haram from pork fat. Undeclared source is doubtful.
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 E570 in this product: is the fat from plant oil, synthetic, or animal? If animal, which species and was it slaughtered as halal?
The detail
Stearic acid sits at the root of a family of doubtful additives: its salts and esters become magnesium stearate (E572), sodium stearate, and the stearate emulsifiers E481/E482. HalalExpo's checker records plant-derived stearic acid as the halal industry standard, porcine as haram, and unspecified as requiring source documentation. MuslimConsumerGroup states the same condition. IFANCA lists stearic acid among doubtful ingredients in candy and gum.
What the sources say
Mushbooh, Halal if the source is from plant fat, Haraam if it is from pork fat
Halal. Plant-derived stearic acid is the halal industry standard. ... Mashbooh without source documentation.
Gum — Glycerin, Stearic Acid
Where you will run into it
- Chewing gum
- Candy
- Tablet and capsule manufacturing (lubricant)
- Candles and cosmetics
- Butter blends
How to check it yourself
In food, look for a vegan mark or halal logo. In tablets and capsules, stearic acid usually appears as magnesium stearate — see that entry.
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 E570 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
| E-number | E570 |
|---|---|
| Name | Stearic acid |
| Also on labels as | E570, octadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid E570, stearic, stearic acid, stearic acid E570 |
| Additive class | Emulsifier, thickener or gelling agent |
| Classification | Source-dependent |
| Source last accessed | 2026-08-21 |
Common questions
Is E570 (Stearic acid) halal?
Stearic acid is classified as Source-dependent. Halal from plant fat — the halal industry standard; haram from pork fat. Undeclared source is doubtful.
Is Stearic acid halal or haram?
On the evidence cited on this page, Stearic acid 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 Stearic acid called on ingredient labels?
It can appear as: E570, octadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid E570, stearic, stearic acid, stearic acid E570.
Why isn't there a single yes/no answer for E570?
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.
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