Emulsifier, thickener or gelling agent
Is E572 (Magnesium stearate) halal?
If you take one supplement habit seriously, make it this one. Magnesium stearate is in most tablets and capsules, it can be plant or pork derived, and the bottle does not have to tell you which.
The default flow-agent in vitamin tablets and capsules. Halal from plant stearic acid, haram from porcine stearic acid, and almost never labelled with its source — IFANCA flags it specifically in nutritional supplements.
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 E572 in this product: is the fat from plant oil, synthetic, or animal? If animal, which species and was it slaughtered as halal?
The detail
Magnesium stearate is the magnesium salt of stearic acid, used to stop powder sticking to tablet machinery. Its ruling inherits entirely from the stearic acid: plant is halal, porcine is haram. HalalCodeCheck calls it a critical check for supplement capsules, noting the stearic acid component can be animal-derived, often pork. IFANCA names it, alongside gelatin, as the doubtful ingredient in nutritional supplements. HalalExpo's checker gives the three-way split: plant halal, porcine haram, unspecified verify. Brands that use the plant version increasingly print 'vegetable magnesium stearate' — that wording resolves it.
What the sources say
Mushbooh, Halal if the source is from plant fat, Haraam if it is from pork fat
Nutritional Supplement — Gelatin, Magnesium Stearate
E470b magnesium stearate is Mushbooh ... the stearic acid component can be animal-derived (often pork) ... Critical check for supplement capsules.
Mashbooh. Very common in tablets, capsules, and cosmetic powders. Request source documentation.
Where you will run into it
- Vitamin tablets
- Capsule powders
- Protein powders
- Chewing gum
- Medication tablets
How to check it yourself
Look for 'vegetable magnesium stearate' or a halal-certified supplement mark. Otherwise email the brand and ask whether the magnesium stearate is plant-derived. Most large supplement brands answer this question in their FAQ already.
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 E572 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 | E572 |
|---|---|
| Name | Magnesium stearate |
| Also on labels as | magnesium stearate, mag stearate, vegetable magnesium stearate, veg magnesium stearate |
| Additive class | Emulsifier, thickener or gelling agent |
| Classification | Source-dependent |
| Source last accessed | 2026-08-21 |
Common questions
Is E572 (Magnesium stearate) halal?
Magnesium stearate is classified as Source-dependent. The default flow-agent in vitamin tablets and capsules. Halal from plant stearic acid, haram from porcine stearic acid, and almost never labelled with its source — IFANCA flags it specifically in nutritional supplements.
Is Magnesium stearate halal or haram?
On the evidence cited on this page, Magnesium 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 Magnesium stearate called on ingredient labels?
It can appear as: magnesium stearate, mag stearate, vegetable magnesium stearate, veg magnesium stearate.
Why isn't there a single yes/no answer for E572?
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
- Magnesium Stearate (plant)Source-dependent
- Magnesium Stearate (porcine)Unverified
- Gelatin capsules (medicines and supplements)Source-dependent
- Stearic Acid (porcine)Unverified
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