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Is Synthetic azo and coal-tar colours (E102–E180 selected) Halal?

Yes — this one is Halal.

Halal

High confidence About this ruling

About this ruling

Evidence confidence
High means this page cites a primary regulator listing and a named Halal certifier listing, retrieved 16 August 2026. That describes the quality of the sources on this page—not a Halal certificate for the pack or outlet in your hand.
How we score High, Medium, and Low

Tartrazine (E102), Sunset Yellow (E110), Allura Red (E129), Brilliant Blue (E133) and the other azo/coal-tar colours grouped here are synthetic dyes with no animal tissue.

Evidence at a glance

Named sources used for this page. Open the full Sources block for notes and citation numbers.

Source Type Retrieved
EFSA — Re-evaluation of tartrazine (E102) European Food Safety Authority Regulatory / labelling
21 CFR § 74.705 FD&C Yellow No. 5 U.S. eCFR Regulatory / labelling
Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives European Union Regulatory / labelling
European Commission — Food additives European Commission Regulatory / labelling
Codex GSFA online FAO / WHO Codex Regulatory / labelling
SANHA — E-numbers SANHA Certifier / jurisdiction
U.S. FDA — Food additives U.S. Food and Drug Administration Regulatory / labelling

Full Sources

Additive identity

E-number
E102, E104, E110, E122, E123, E124, E127, E129, E131, E132, E133, E142, E151, E155, E180
Codex INS
INS 102, INS 104, INS 110, INS 122, INS 123, INS 124, INS 127, INS 129, INS 131, INS 132, INS 133, INS 142, INS 151, INS 155, INS 180
Function
colour
Family
colours
EU Union list
authorised
Names
Tartrazine; Quinoline Yellow; Sunset Yellow FCF; Azorubine; Amaranth; Ponceau 4R; Erythrosine; Allura Red AC; Patent Blue V; Indigotine; Brilliant Blue FCF; Green S; Brilliant Black BN; Brown HT; Litholrubine BK

Possible source pathways

The finished molecule can be identical across feedstocks. The Halal ruling follows the pathway, not the code alone.

  • synthetic · Typical Halal Synthetic or mineral identity. No animal tissue in the finished additive.

E-number database Compare this family

Bright gummy sweets that often use synthetic azo colours

Why this ruling

Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow, Allura Red (Red 40), Brilliant Blue, and the other azo colours listed here are synthetic. They are Halal.[3][5] US packs print Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Red 40, Blue 1.

Carmine (E120) is the insect exception. A red gummy can be Allura Red (Halal colour) with gelatin (not automatically Halal).

Where you'll find it

  • Soft drinks and confectionery
  • Snack coatings

How to verify

1) Match E102, E110, E129, E133 or US names Yellow 5/6, Red 40, Blue 1. 2) The colour is Halal. 3) If the label says carmine or E120, open that page instead.

  • These codes are synthetic → Halal.
  • Not carmine (E120).
  • Candy may still have gelatin or shellac.

Conditions for Halal

  • Listed synthetic colours in this family → Halal
  • Carmine / cochineal / E120 is a separate Scholarly difference colour
  • Finished sweets: still check gelatin, shellac, flavours

Scholarly differences

Synthetic azo dyes are not a madhhab dispute. Shopper confusion is almost always carmine misread as generic red colour.

Frequently asked questions

Is tartrazine Halal?
Yes. It is a synthetic yellow (E102 / Yellow 5), not an insect dye.
Is Red 40 the same as carmine?
No. Red 40 is Allura Red (E129), synthetic. Carmine is E120 from cochineal insects.

Sources

Named Islamic, certifier, manufacturer, and regulatory sources used on this page. Inline markers like [1] jump here. Retrieval dates show when we last checked the live URL. Editorial methodology.

Certifier / jurisdiction

  1. SANHA — E-numbers

    SANHA

    Certifier: SANHA

    Certifier E-number literacy; not a product certificate.

    Retrieved:

Regulatory / labelling

  1. EFSA — Re-evaluation of tartrazine (E102)

    European Food Safety Authority

    Substance identity—not a Halal certificate for a finished pack.

    Retrieved:

  2. 21 CFR § 74.705 FD&C Yellow No. 5

    U.S. eCFR

    U.S. identity / GRAS or colour-additive listing—not a Halal ruling.

    Retrieved:

  3. Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 on food additives

    European Union

    Union-list identity—not a Halal certificate.

    Retrieved:

  4. European Commission — Food additives

    European Commission

    EU additive literacy hub.

    Retrieved:

  5. Codex GSFA online

    FAO / WHO Codex

    Codex INS / GSFA identity.

    Retrieved:

  6. U.S. FDA — Food additives

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration

    US identity / labelling context—not a Halal ruling.

    Retrieved:

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Applies to
General ruling; confirm local labels, slaughter, and certification when relevant
Last reviewed