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Is Methacrylate and related tablet-coating copolymers (E1205–E1209) 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

E1205–E1209 are synthetic methacrylate or vinyl coating polymers used on tablets.

Evidence at a glance

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

Source Type Retrieved
EFSA — Basic methacrylate copolymer (E1205) European Food Safety Authority 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
E1205, E1206, E1207, E1208, E1209
Codex INS
INS 1205, INS 1206, INS 1207, INS 1208, INS 1209
Function
glazing agent
Family
other
EU Union list
authorised
Names
Basic methacrylate copolymer; Neutral methacrylate copolymer; Anionic methacrylate copolymer; PVP-VA copolymer; PVA-PEG graft copolymer

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

White powder standing in for tablet-coating polymers

Why this ruling

Methacrylate and related coating copolymers (E1205–E1209) are Halal synthetic glazing agents for tablets.[2][4]

They are not gelatin and not HPMC capsules.

Where you'll find it

  • Enteric tablet coatings
  • Moisture-barrier films

How to verify

1) Match E1205–E1209 or methacrylate copolymer. 2) Halal. 3) Check whether the shell is gelatin or HPMC.

  • Coating copolymers → Halal.
  • Not a gelatin capsule.
  • Read the rest of the supplement.

Conditions for Halal

  • E1205–E1209 → Halal synthetic coats
  • Gelatin capsules remain a separate check

Scholarly differences

A synthetic film coat is not an animal capsule. Shoppers should still read 'capsule' versus 'tablet' on the SKU.

Frequently asked questions

Is Eudragit-type coating Halal?
Food-additive methacrylate copolymers in this family are synthetic and Halal.
Does that make the supplement Halal?
Only the coat. Oils, gelatin shells, and magnesium stearate still need their own reads.

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 — Basic methacrylate copolymer (E1205)

    European Food Safety Authority

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

    Retrieved:

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

    European Union

    Union-list identity—not a Halal certificate.

    Retrieved:

  3. European Commission — Food additives

    European Commission

    EU additive literacy hub.

    Retrieved:

  4. Codex GSFA online

    FAO / WHO Codex

    Codex INS / GSFA identity.

    Retrieved:

  5. 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