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Is Propylene glycol, PEG, triethyl citrate, benzyl alcohol and beta-cyclodextrin 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

E1520 propylene glycol and E1521 polyethylene glycol are synthetic polyols used as carriers.

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 propane-1,2-diol (E1520) European Food Safety Authority Regulatory / labelling
21 CFR § 184.1666 propylene glycol 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
E1520, E1521, E1505, E1519, E459
Codex INS
INS 1520, INS 1521, INS 1505, INS 1519, INS 459
Function
carrier
Family
other
EU Union list
authorised
Names
Propane-1,2-diol; Propylene glycol; Polyethylene glycol; Triethyl citrate; Benzyl alcohol; Beta-cyclodextrin

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

Clear liquid standing in for propylene glycol carriers

Why this ruling

Propylene glycol (E1520), PEG (E1521), triethyl citrate (E1505), benzyl alcohol (E1519), and beta-cyclodextrin (E459) are Halal carriers.[3][5]

They are not glycerin.

Where you'll find it

  • Flavour and vitamin carriers
  • Supplement coatings

How to verify

1) Match E1520, E1521, E1505, E1519, E459, propylene glycol, or PEG. 2) Halal. 3) Glycerin is E422 with a fat-source question.

  • These carriers → Halal.
  • Not ethanol.
  • Not glycerin.

Conditions for Halal

  • E1520/E1521/E1505/E1519/E459 → Halal carriers
  • Glycerin E422 remains source-dependent
  • Ethanol flavour extracts are a different page

Scholarly differences

Propylene glycol is not wine. Benzyl alcohol is not drinking alcohol. A chemical name that includes 'alcohol' is not automatically khamr.

Frequently asked questions

Is propylene glycol Halal?
Yes. E1520 is a synthetic carrier, not ethanol.
Is PEG Halal?
Yes. Food-grade polyethylene glycol (E1521) is synthetic.

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 propane-1,2-diol (E1520)

    European Food Safety Authority

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

    Retrieved:

  2. 21 CFR § 184.1666 propylene glycol

    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