How to Check E-Numbers in the UK: Step-by-Step Guide

Most people pick up a packet of biscuits, see “E471” in the ingredient list, and have no idea whether that is a concern or not. The E-number system was designed to be systematic and transparent — every additive has a code, every code has a defined meaning — but it was not designed with halal compliance in mind. This step-by-step guide gives you a reliable system for checking any E-number in under two minutes.

Step 1: Photograph the Ingredient List

Before you start, take a clear photo of the full ingredient list on your phone. This serves two purposes: you can check it at your own pace rather than standing in the aisle, and you have a record if you want to contact the manufacturer later.

Good photo technique:

• Natural light or bright overhead lighting
• Hold the phone steady and close enough to read small text
• Capture the entire ingredient list in one frame if possible
• The list usually starts with “Ingredients:” — make sure you get this header

Modern iPhone and Android camera apps can read text in photos — use the text selection feature to copy E-numbers from your photo into a search.

Step 2: Open HalalCodeCheck and Search the E-Code

Go to halalcodecheck.com and use the E-code search. You have three options:

Voice search: Tap the microphone icon and say the E-number naturally — “E four seven one” or “E one two zero.” The voice recognition is calibrated for UK English E-number pronunciation.

Text search: Type the E-number directly — “E471,” “E120,” “E441.”

Image scan: Use the camera feature to photograph the ingredient list — the OCR (optical character recognition) technology extracts E-numbers from the image automatically.

The search returns:

• Halal — safe to consume
• Haram — not permissible
• Mushbooh — doubtful; source verification needed
• Unknown — insufficient data to classify

You also get the full name of the additive, what it is used for, and a plain-English explanation of why it has that status.

Step 3: Work Through the Priority List

You do not need to check every E-number on every label. Focus your attention on the ones that carry real halal concerns. Here is the priority order for UK consumers:

Priority 1: Definitely Haram

E120 — Carmine (Cochineal)

• Source: Crushed cochineal insects (Dactylopius coccus)
• Status: Haram — insect-derived, not from a permissible species
• Common in: strawberry yoghurts, red fruit drinks, some red sauces, some meat products (gives pink colour)
• Alternative names on labels: “carmine,” “cochineal,” “natural red 4,” “crimson lake,” “carminic acid”
• Action: Do not buy products containing E120

E441 — Gelatine

• Source: Usually porcine (pig) collagen; occasionally bovine or fish
• Status: Haram without halal certification (porcine), mushbooh (bovine without cert), halal (fish-derived with confirmation)
• Common in: gummy sweets, marshmallows, jelly, some yoghurts, some ice cream, some biscuits (soft coating)
• Action: Do not buy without a halal certification logo on the product

Priority 2: Mushbooh — Check Source

E471 — Mono and Diglycerides of Fatty Acids

• Source: May be from animal fat (including pork) or from plant oils
• Status: Mushbooh without source confirmation
• Common in: bread, margarine, biscuits, ice cream, some ready meals
• Quick check: If the product is also labelled “suitable for vegans” — E471 is from plant sources and is safe
• Action: Buy if vegan-labelled; contact manufacturer if not vegan-labelled and concerned

E542 — Bone Phosphate

• Source: Animal bones — may be from non-halal slaughtered animals
• Status: Mushbooh; haram if from pork
• Common in: some baked goods (as a raising agent/anti-caking)
• Action: Contact manufacturer to confirm species and slaughter method

E631 — Disodium Inosinate

• Source: May be from pork or fish; sometimes from yeast
• Status: Mushbooh
• Common in: flavoured crisps, instant noodles, snack foods, ready meal seasoning
• Quick check: If the product says “suitable for vegetarians” — E631 is from yeast or plant sources
• Action: Safe if vegetarian-labelled; contact manufacturer if not

E627 — Disodium Guanylate

• Source: Often paired with E631; may be from fish or pork
• Status: Mushbooh
• Common in: same products as E631; rarely used alone
• Quick check: Same vegetarian label check as E631
• Action: Same as E631

E904 — Shellac

• Source: Resin secreted by the lac beetle (Kerria lacca)
• Status: Debated — Hanafi school classifies insects (other than locust) as haram; other schools vary
• Common in: glazing on apples and other fruits (gives the shine), some confectionery coatings, some pharmaceutical tablets
• Action: Strict Hanafi consumers avoid; others may accept

E920 — L-Cysteine

• Source: May be from hog hair, human hair, or duck feathers; also synthetic production
• Status: Haram if from pork source; halal if synthetic or from permissible source
• Common in: some commercial bread dough (dough conditioner), some flavourings
• Action: Contact manufacturer to confirm source; buy artisan or vegan bread to avoid

Step 4: If Mushbooh — Contact the Manufacturer

When you encounter a mushbooh E-code on a product you want to buy, the next step is manufacturer contact. This is simpler than it sounds.

Find the contact information:

• Most UK food products have a manufacturer website and email/phone on the packaging
• Alternatively, search “[brand name] consumer care UK” online
• Supermarket own-brand products: contact the supermarket’s customer service

Email template:

Subject: Ingredient Source Query — [Product Name]

Hello,

I am checking the halal compliance of [Product Name, SKU if available]. Could you please confirm the source of the following ingredient(s) listed on the product:

[List the specific E-codes, e.g., E471 (mono and diglycerides of fatty acids)]

Specifically, I am asking whether these are derived from plant, synthetic, or animal sources. If animal-derived, could you confirm whether they are from pork or from other animals?

Thank you for your help.

Most UK manufacturers — particularly major brands like Nestlé, Kellogg’s, Unilever, and supermarket own-brand suppliers — have customer care teams that respond to these queries. Many will send a letter confirming that their E471, for example, is fully plant-derived.

Step 5: Document Your Findings

Once you have confirmed an E-code source, note it down. You do not want to repeat the research every time you buy the same product. Simple approaches:

• Keep a notes file on your phone: “[Brand] [Product] — E471 confirmed plant-derived, 2026”
• Take a photo of any confirmation letter or email from the manufacturer
• Bookmark products in HalalCodeCheck (if you use an account)

Share useful confirmations with family and friends — this community knowledge saves everyone time.

Step 6: Apply the Scanning System at Speed

Once you know the priority six E-codes, you can scan a label in under a minute:

1. Skim the ingredient list for “E120” or “carmine” — if present, put it back
2. Skim for “gelatine” or “E441” — if present without halal cert, put it back
3. If you see “E471” — check for vegan label; if vegan, safe; if not, note as mushbooh
4. If you see “E631” or “E627” — check for vegetarian label; if vegetarian, safe
5. Anything else? Look up on HalalCodeCheck using voice search
6. No E-code concerns found + no gelatine? — buy with confidence

Common UK Products by E-Code Status

Product	Key E-Code	Status	Action
Rowntree’s Fruit Pastilles	E120 historically (check current)	Verify	Check current label
Haribo gummy bears	E441 (pork gelatine)	Haram	Avoid
Standard white sliced bread	E471, sometimes E920	Mushbooh	Check if vegan-labelled
Walkers Prawn Cocktail crisps	E621, E627	Mushbooh	Check vegetarian label
Muller Corner yoghurt (fruit varieties)	Some contain E120	Check	Verify each flavour
Mr Kipling cakes	E471, E120 (some)	Check each	Verify each product
Cathedral City Cheddar	Suitable for vegetarians	Halal	Safe
Jelly Tots	Halal certified	Halal	Safe
Most plain ready salted crisps	No E-code concerns	Halal	Generally safe

Summary

Step	Action	Time
1	Photograph ingredient list	10 seconds
2	Search HalalCodeCheck for each E-code	30-60 seconds
3	Check priority list: E120, E441, E471, E542, E631, E627, E920	30 seconds
4	If mushbooh: email manufacturer	5 minutes (once)
5	Document confirmed findings	30 seconds
6	Apply fast scanning system	Under 60 seconds
Verdict	Systematic checking	Priority 6 E-codes cover 90% of real concerns